14 April 2027 · Syro-Malabar Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Latin Rite · Syro-Malankara Rite · മലയാളം
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Paul writes to the Philippians from prison, not knowing whether his trial will end in release or in death. A man in that position might be expected to write about his fear. Instead he writes one of the most serene sentences in the New Testament: “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Everything turns on the first half. If living were money, then dying would be loss; if living were reputation, success or pleasure, death would take it all away. But if living is Christ, then death cannot take away what matters, because it brings us closer to him. That is why Paul can weigh the two possibilities so calmly. “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” This is Easter faith in its plainest form. Because Christ has been raised, death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55). Paul does not despise this life. He loves the Philippians and wants to stay with them “for your progress and joy in faith.” But he has stopped being afraid of the end. For him, to die is to “be with Christ”, and to live is to serve him in his brothers and sisters. A Christian who has learned this can face illness, old age, danger and even martyrdom with a peace that the world cannot explain. The Church in India has seen this peace in her martyrs and in many ordinary believers who died with the name of Jesus on their lips. When we pray the Office for the departed at a funeral, we are not pretending that death does not hurt. We are saying, with Paul, that for those who belong to Christ it is the door to something far better.
Matthew places the cleansing of a leper immediately after the Sermon on the Mount, as if to say: here is the teacher who spoke with such authority; now see what his authority does. “When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’” Under the Law of Moses a person with a leprous disease had to live apart: “He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:46). The rule protected the community, but it meant years of loneliness, and the leper should not even have come near. He does not doubt that Jesus can heal him; his only question is whether Jesus wants to. Jesus answers with his hand before his words: “He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” The touch that should have made Jesus unclean makes the leper clean. Holiness here is not something fragile that must be protected from contact; it is a power that flows outward and heals. Then Jesus sends him to the priest, “and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Jesus does not set the Law aside; he fulfils it, and he gives the man back not only his skin but his place in the worshipping community of Israel. The Risen Lord still stretches out his hand. In the sacrament of Reconciliation he touches what we are ashamed to show anyone, and says, I do choose. In the Anointing of the Sick he lays his hand on the suffering. And at every Qurbana, before Communion, we pray in humility because we know we need his touch.
Theme: “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”
A prisoner who no longer fears death, an apostle torn between heaven and his people, and the hand that cleanses the leper.
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Psalm 63:3
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Apply: Finish the sentence “For me, living is …” honestly, and ask the Lord to make the answer Christ.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God,” Job 19:25–26
“I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;” Philippians 1:23
Apply: Pray this week for someone who is dying, and for a peaceful death for yourself.
“He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” Leviticus 13:46
“He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:3
Apply: Go to Confession soon, and reach out this week to one person whom others avoid.
Because Christ is risen, death is gain for those whose life is Christ, and this life becomes a time of loving service.
The Risen Lord still stretches out his hand to touch and cleanse, and he sends us to do the same.
Take-home resolution: This week let Christ be your life, bring your hidden wounds to Confession, and touch someone who is shut out.
Dear friends, Paul is in prison. He does not know whether he will live or die. And he writes: for me, living is Christ and dying is gain (Philippians 1:21). If my life is money, death is loss. If my life is Christ, death brings me closer to him.
Paul is torn. He would like to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. But he knows his people still need him, so he is ready to stay and work for their progress and joy in faith. That is Easter faith: no fear of death, and great love for this life as a time of service.
In the Gospel a leper kneels before Jesus. Lepers had to live alone, outside the village. He says: Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean. He does not doubt the power of Jesus; he only asks whether Jesus wants to.
And Jesus stretches out his hand and touches him. I do choose. Be made clean! The touch that should have made Jesus unclean makes the leper clean. Then Jesus sends him to the priest, so that he can return to his people and to worship.
The Risen Lord still stretches out his hand, in Confession, in the Anointing of the Sick, and in Holy Qurbana. Let us bring him what we hide. And let us be his hand for someone whom everyone else avoids. Alleluia! Amen.
Children, a sick man asked Jesus: do you want to make me well? Jesus touched him and said: yes, I want to! Jesus always wants to help us. Tell him what makes you sad.
Is there a child in your class whom nobody plays with? Be like Jesus: go and say hello first!
Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, you are our life, and in you death becomes gain. Deliver us from the fear of death and from every false life that cannot last. Make us love the people you have given us and serve them gladly while we remain here. Stretch out your hand to us as you did to the leper; touch the places we hide, and say to each of us, I do choose. Be made clean. Amen. Alleluia!