God’s choice – Day 31 of 40

Armodoxy for Today: God’s Choice

In the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Mark, we read a story of a leper (a person suffering of leprosy) approaching Jesus for a healing. Although most people have only heard of this bacterial disease in the context of the Biblical stories, there are over 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year. The symptoms of the disease can be disfiguring and mostly out of fear of its sight and the fear of spreading the disease, lepers were isolated in colonies during the time of Jesus.

St. Mark’s narrative is as follows, A leper came to Him [Jesus], imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. (40-42)

In this story, the first question we must as is, Why wouldn’t Jesus choose to do heal this man? Why wouldn’t he want you to be walking in the Grace of God?

This fifth week of Lent opens with the Parable of the Unjust Judge, Luke 18. After reading the story, we have to wonder if a better descriptor of this judicial arbitrator might be the merciless Judge, or the Heartless Judge. God is full of mercy, and in His compassion, He wants the best for His Creation. Once you know Jesus is on-board for the salvation of your soul, you merely have to listen for the words that follow, “Be made clean!” It’s His Choice and His choice for your wholeness.

We pray from St. Gregory of Narek (1): O God, Lord of souls and all flesh, in the words of one divinely graced, you are long-suffering and abounding in mercy … Show me, here at the threshold of these contrite prayers, the sweetness of your will. Strengthen me that I might not be unworthy of the light when the heavens open, so that I might not be consumed and snuffed out like a candle. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 31: Tomato and Bread Soup

Photo: Gregory and Luna Beylerian, 2023