It is 08th January 2016. The readings are from 1 Jn.5:5-13 and the Gospel from Lk.5:12-16. The first reading answers a question: who can overcome the world? According to John, the world is at logger head with God. The world alienates and remains hostile to God. In order to overcome the hostility of the world, we need to believe Jesus as fully human and fully divine. John condemns those who deny Jesus as Son of God. It is Jesus who gives us life and therefore we live. All graces proceed from Him. The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist are the pure expressions of blood and water flowing from His side. Jesus overcame the world through His suffering and death on the cross. We can overcome the world and its attractions only through the faith in Jesus. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “O praise the Lord, Jerusalem.” (Ps.147:12). The Gospel reports about the plight of a man with leprosy and the powerful healing of Jesus. Leprosy was incurable disease with its emotional impact and social stigma attached. The person mentioned in the gospel was in his advanced stage of leprosy. He believed that he could overcome this bodily affliction with the help of Jesus. No matter what is our condition we have in our body today, we can ask Jesus: “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Lk.5:12). The Lord is always willing to clean and heal us, are we willing to ask Him in humility and hope to be healed? May God bless you.