A Powerful Prayer Formula
In the Gospel passage Mark 1:40-45 there appears a successful prayer formula. A leper approaches Jesus with the words ‘If you want to you can cure me’. These words trigger a miraculous cure for the leper. Reflecting on these words, I detect a powerful prayer formula. Hidden in the words is the faith of the leper, a criteria Jesus invariably advised, is the start of all healing. He could not make such a statement unless he had the faith that Jesus could cure him.
The leper, who should not even approach Jesus because of Moses law regarding lepers, knows full well he does not have the liberty to carry on a conversation. He has to say all in just one sentence. He chooses his words correctly and frugally, expressing his faith and going on to make a statement of Jesus’ authority over diseases.
He does not ask for healing yet he is deferential to Jesus. The words express not only faith but also humility. The evangelist tells us that his well chosen words evokes pity in Jesus. I dare say, not only pity but admiration for his virtues. Jesus responds by stretching out his hand and touching the leper and saying ‘of course I want to - be cured!’.
By touching the leper, Jesus demonstrates his authority not only over the disease but also over Moses’ law. The words of the leper has evoked a response that creates not just a healing but also a powerful teaching that spans the centuries.
We must also examine Jesus’ words ‘Of course I want to’. They communicate to us that all healing is at the mercy of Jesus. The prerogative remains that of Jesus - he can cure - if he wants to. He may not - he may wish that the leper carries his illness as a cross for the advancement of the kingdom. So often we go to Jesus, in prayer, almost demanding a cure. And if we are not cured we become angry with Jesus and walk away.
Once again we are in awe at the choice of the leper’s words. It carries within it the belief, that if Jesus does not want to, he, the leper, would just as well continue on his way, still believing that Jesus has the authority over the disease - what faith, what humility!
Our character, our virtues, are revealed in our choice of words. Let us, like the leper choose them well, especially when going to Jesus, for he is - The Word made flesh.