You Chose to Make the Leper Clean--Jan. 14, 2015

[From Jan. 10, 2007 archive]

You chose to make the leper clean;

touch us, then, and make us clean--

we who follow the course of the world,

we who are dead through trespass and sin.

Our hope is not in a great army,

our own strength will not deliver us,

but if you are with us, we shall not fear.

You are our God--uphold us with your hand.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

Isa. 41:1-16

Eph. 2:1-10

Mark 1:29-45

Selected Verses

Ps. 33:16

A king is not saved by his great army;
          a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 

Isa. 41:10

…do not fear, for I am with you,
          do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
          I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Eph. 2:1-2

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 

Mark 1:41

Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched [the leper], and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”