Jesus heals our leprosy

Leprosy is a terrible disease. Though today confined to certain areas of the world and somewhat treatable, having leprosy in the ancient world was one of the most terrible curses. The disease itself does not kill you, but it lingers for years causing skin to degenerate and the body to deform. Lepers are cursed with twisted limbs, curling fingers, tumors and facial disfigurement. Nerve damage causes terrible pain, but also numbs parts of the body which leads to accidents, burns and cuts which then lead to infections and the possible loss of limbs.

Fear of this cursed disease in the ancient world led to strict regulations like the ones we heard in the first reading from Leviticus. If a man had hints of leprosy or any skin ailment, the priest would declare him unclean. Lepers were ordered to cry out “unclean, unclean” to warn others of their presence, oftentimes cowbells were placed around their necks. They lived outside of the city. Leprosy not only affected your bodily health, but it led to the complete separation from friends, family and society. One became marginalized, the ultimate reject and there was nothing to be done.

Knowing this, let’s go through the first part of Gospel passage again. Several extraordinary facts will come to light which challenge us with questions about how we live out our faith.

In the Gospel passage we hear “a leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him.”

First extraordinary point: Jesus allowed the leper to approach him. Most people would have run the other way when hearing the cowbell or the leper announcing his presence. Jesus is unafraid of lepers.

Yet, how many times do we run away when we see others suffering or when others need help, especially our help? Why is it difficult at times to tell someone, “know that you are in my prayers during these difficult times?” Why do we allow our insecurities keep us from reaching out to others?

We continue.  The leper said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Second extraordinary point: The faith of the leper. The man had no doubt of Jesus’ power to heal him.
How many of us can go to Jesus with this certain faith, a faith that trusts as a child trusts his parents? Do we come to Jesus asking him to heal our brokenness and to help us in our struggles? Do we believe He can heal us, or do we hesitate and not even ask him for help?

The passage continues, “moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.'”

Third extraordinary point: Jesus was moved by the terrible misfortune of the leper. He had pity. God had pity on a suffering man.

Jesus then touched the leper; no one would have dared touch a leper. Many don’t dare touch a leper today, many don’t dare touch an ill person at the hospital, many don’t dare hug someone with the common cold.

Jesus then spoke with authority, “be made clean.” This reminds me of God’s words at the creation of the world, “let there be light” and there was light. What God speaks becomes reality. When God tells us, “I absolve you from your sins” he truly forgives us. When God tells us, “you are my child,” he truly means it.

What I find most extraordinary about this passage is that Jesus had pity on the leper. Likewise, Jesus had pity when seeing the hungry crowd before multiplying the loaves and fishes. Jesus was moved with pity with the misery of the leper, and he healed him.

Our God is a God who does not remain indifferent to our pains and struggles. Jesus comes to us, he touches our hearts, and heals us. He does this especially in moments of trail and difficulty. It is in these moments that Jesus works best, comforting us and healing us.

He comes to us personally when we struggle. He comes to us collectively when the Church struggles. Let us place our personal struggles and the struggles of the Church today, especially during these trying times, in the hands of our merciful God who has pity on us, who loves us and comes to our aid. We are all lepers of the heart, and Our Lord comes knocking the doors of our heart bringing us healing and peace, so we may rejoice along with the leper for the goodness of the Lord.