Lord, if you wish……

瑪竇福音 8:1-4

我們的禱詞，能反映我們的心。
「主，我想要這個。」
「主，我可不可以要這個？」
「主，祢願意給我這個嗎？」
「主，祢若願意，就可以給我這個。」
「主，願祢的旨意成就於我吧。」

同一個願望，用以上不同的方式祈求，你覺得有何分別？

我們祈禱是與天主對話，方式因人而異，沒有對錯，但當我們的請求一而再地得不到回應，我們需要更多耐性去祈禱和等待，還是反思，自己的祈求是否哪裡出了問題？

今天的福音中，癩病人對耶穌的請求藉得我們學習。他來到眾人面前叩拜耶穌，不但是謙卑的舉動，也需要勇氣去承認自身的病況和無能。他說：「主！你若願意，就能潔淨我。」他說的並不是耶穌可不可以，也不是問祂願不願意，而是說「主，祢若願意」，表示他相信天主的大能，亦也尊重並願意跟隨祂的意願。

讓我們也以謙卑而勇敢的態度，向耶穌基督坦白承認我們生命中需要祂幫助的地方，並祈求祂以符合天父聖意的方式幫助我們，相信仁慈的祂必會回應：「我願意。」

Matthew 8:1-4

Our prayers often reflect our heart.
"Lord, I wish to have this."
"Lord, may I have this?"
"Lord, are you willing to give me this?"
"Lord, if you're willing, you can give me this."
"Lord, may it be done to me according to your will."

What difference does it make to you when you pray using these different statements?

Prayer is our conversation with God, and there's no right or wrong. But when we're not receiving what we've asked, and it's affecting our faith in Him, perhaps we should reexamine our prayer.

In today's gospel reading, we can learn a few things from the leper on a few things: his humility and courage in admitting his illness and his need to be cleansed by the Lord, and also the way he made his request. He didn't question Jesus' ability nor did he ask whether Jesus is willing or not, but he made a statement, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He has faith that if Jesus is willing, it can be done; and while he has the desire to be cleaned, he left the decision to Jesus.

May we also have the humility and courage to admit our needs and limitations, while praying that Jesus will help us according to our Heavenly Father's will. Let us have faith to believe our merciful Lord will reply us with compassion, "I am willing."