The Cleansing Of The Leper

Context

When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying,

The Saying

“I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.” (Matthew 8, 3-4)

Cleansing

why live in kindness
being loving to others
practicing this way

why practice silence
making time and seeking space
for meditation

why enter the deep
quietly being emptied
foregoing all thought

is it to impress
to attract admiration
and gain followers

is it to show off
so people see I am well
and approve of me

no, these are not why
there is not a why at all...
only consequence

a cleansing happens...
the clutter of attachments
start to disappear

the ceaseless babble...
thoughts constantly created...
this din disappears

with a cleansed spirit
arises a new freedom
relieved of burden

not free of the law
nor from life’s obligations...
these always exist

only from within
can true freedom issue forth...
freedom from my self

Inspired by The Radical Sayings of Jesus