as Moses commanded

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

1 John 5:5-13 Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20 Luke 5:12-16

Luke 5:14 And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people."

Jesus performed this miracle, as he did all his miracles, without the approval of the religious authorities. However, he instructed the man to make an offering as Moses commanded, thereby maintaining the ceremonial tradition. This was to be a witness to the people.
Today we tend to like the first part where God can deal with us personally without the church's participation, but we don't like the second part where we participate in the ceremonial ritual. But there is value in that. It is a witness to the people. The problem is when we keep the works of God in our personal space we never really have credibility to others. We must, therefore, be willing to participate publicly to be scrutinized and to participate in ritual.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not only seek your presence personally, but to be willing to be obedient to show your presence publicly.

Amen