February 13, 2000 -- Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Mass Readings:
Lev 13:1-2,44-46
Psalm 32:1-2,5-11
1 Cor 10:31-11:1
Mark 1:40-45
During biblical times, leprosy was treated as an impurity that resulted
in its victim being excluded from society. The diagnosis of leprosy included
many contagious diseases of the skin. Leprosy was viewed as a punishment for
sin; and in order for a person to be declared healed of leprosy, a sin
offering was required. Then the victim would be able to be reinstated into
the community.
It took a great deal of courage for the leper to approach Jesus. He was
certainly shunned by the crowd of people who followed Jesus from town to
town. People were afraid of contracting the disease by being in close
proximity to him, similar to the reaction of many people today to AIDS. The
leper humbled himself before Jesus, kneeling before Him and begging Him for
mercy and healing. He recognized his need for healing and he also believed
that Jesus was the One who had the power to heal. He made a declaration of
faith that must have touched the heart of Christ, "If you choose, you can
make me clean."
Jesus responded to the faith of the leper by reaching out and touching
him. At Jesus' healing touch, the leper was healed and restored to the
community. But in fulfillment of the Law, Jesus commanded him to show himself
to the priest and to make an offering for his cleansing. This requirement
revealed Jesus' respect for the Law of Moses for he did not come to abolish
the law, but to fulfill it.
We can learn from story of the leper some important lessons in seeking
healing in our own lives. First, the leper overcame his own fears and the
negative reactions of those around him to seek out help. It didn't matter to
him what anyone thought about his decision; he went ahead and approached
Jesus, even though the rest of society didn't agree with him or support him.
Secondly, the leper recognized Jesus as the source of his healing. He knew
that God alone could heal him of his affliction. He humbled himself before
Christ and admitted his need. Also, he trusted in the mercy and love of God
by making a profession of faith and declaring his belief in Jesus' power to
heal. Finally, the leper demonstrated his obedience to the will of God by
doing exactly what Jesus instructed him to do.
Let us humbly approach the throne of grace, trusting in the love and
mercy of God, and seek healing in our lives and in those around us who are
sick or suffering. Let us follow the example of the leper and look to Jesus,
the Divine Physician, who restores his people to wholeness and new life.