In today's readings, we are confronted with two strikingly different encounters with God's presence. In the first reading, the Israelites go into battle against the Philistines, carrying with them the Ark of the Covenant - the visible sign of God's dwelling among them. Yet, despite this, they were defeated, and the Ark was captured. Their mistake was to treat the Ark like a talisman, a guarantee of victory, rather than as a reminder of the living God Who desires faithfulness and repentance more than ritual display. God's presence cannot be manipulated or contained; He seeks hearts that truly trust and obey Him.

In contrast, in the Gospel, a leper approaches Jesus with deep humility and faith: "If You want to, You can cure me." The man does not demand healing; he surrenders to the Lord's Will. Jesus, moved with compassion, touches him and restores him - a gesture of both divine power and tender mercy.

These two scenes invite us to reflect on how we approach God. Do we seek Him just to fulfil our self-centred desires, or do we come to Him with trust and surrender, willing to be cleansed and renewed? Faith is not about using God to secure our victories, but allowing God to transform our hearts. True healing begins when we, like the leper, kneel before Christ and say, "If You want to, You can cure me."