SPIRITUAL LEPROSY

I am for sure, many of us will not even the see the picture below.  The moment we see this picture, a type of aversion engulfs us, a feeling of uneasiness crushes our mind.  Yes, this is a sample for leprosy.  Though there are medicines in these modern times to treat the leprosy, in the Old Testament it considered as the curse from God, and that person will be kept outside of the City until he is cured and certified by the high priest that he is ok.  In Old Testament there is a famous passage which narrates the leprosy of Naaman in 2Kings 5:1-15.  We feel dislike towards leprosy or lepers because we are fine and healthy.  May be physically we are alright, but spiritually we are lepers.  We are affected with Spiritual Leprosy.

The person who is affected by leprosy will have imperfect limbs, with no finger, nose, toe and etc.  Many of us think that this is because of the effect of the disease.  But the research shows that they loose not because of the disease.  It is because of the numbness.  Lepers will not have any feelings in the affected area, even if you cut the fingers they won't feel anything.  So, when they sleep the rats come and eat away their limbs, because of the numbness (feelinglessness) they do not know this.

In the same way we are affected in our life.  Without Prayer, Bible Reading, Sacraments, without going to the Church a kind of spiritual numbness creeps into our hearts.  There is no feeling of sin in our conscience.  Just take for granted, in the name of culture, fashion, modernity, we just loose the feeling of dignity and modesty.  Anything that gives comfort is alright.  Nothing is sin.  As a result without our knowledge we loose the grace of God, gift of God, Spirit of God, providence of God, protection of God exposing ourselves to all types of dangers of soul.

In the case of Naman the leper, his spiritual leprosy has to be cleansed fist than his physical leprosy.  He was affected by the leprosy of 'pride'. He was strong with leprosy and we too are the same.  The prophet sends the word to obey.  But he didn't.  The Bible says 'He thought' (2Kings 5:11). We also think many things instead of obeying to the Word of God.  When he obeyed he found the grace of God, praises the mercy of God, believes in the presence of God (2Kings 5:15) and at the end he could meet the Man of God, the prophet Elisha.  And he became perfect, like a child, entered into the Kingdom of God.  Do you know what he took with him when he went back to his country??? He came with silver, gold and all types of ornaments but went with two sack loads of soil from the land of God (2Kings 5:17).  The soil from God's land is more worth than any silver and gold.  To be a stupid for the sake of God is better than to be wise in the Godless position.

Let us come to our senses as the prodigal son (Luke 15:17), let us get rid of our spiritual numbness, senselessness, and turn back to God with raising up our imperfect limbs, becoming conscious of our imperfection, even from a distance like that of the ten lepers (Luke 17:12) let us shout: JESUS, MASTER! TAKE PITY ON US! He will help us to come to our senses and we shall be alive and active with the grace and mercy of God.

QUILT OF HOLES!!!

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.


Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.


But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me.. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow mustered the strength to pick up and begin again.

I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life .....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

I need this back. If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Take 60 seconds and give this a shot!
All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Send this on to whoever you want to bless, within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people.

Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.