6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Unclean, unclean: the words that we so often direct at ourselves. When we believe these words to be true, we live constantly in a place of shame. Shame tells us that our sins are our identity and that we are bad. When we believe these lies, we begin to live in the same prison of isolation as the leper in the Gospel reading.

We turn inward and cut ourselves off from communion. Shame keeps us from living the abundant life, and Jesus wants to free us from that. He breaks all the rules. He comes near and heals us and frees us from the things that we are most ashamed of. It is in these places of deepest shame that the Lord wants to heal and shine through.

What are these places in your own life? Where will you invite Him to free you from your shame?