Lv 13:1-2, 44-46 | Ps 32 | 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 | Mk 1:40-45
Have you ever read a book, seen a movie, or heard a song so good or so transformational that all you wanted to do was talk about and share it with everyone? Your life even seemed to change, and you knew others would have the same transformational experience.
The leper in today’s gospel knew about life-altering moments. In the social context of the time and culture, to be “unclean” resulted in being cut off from others: socially estranged, religiously alienated, and ritually abandoned. No one wanted to be near them. Family and friends disowned them, and there was little hope for them to have a meaningful life. Then Jesus came along and flipped the script.
The leper in today’s gospel approached Jesus and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” The phrasing of this is key. The leper did not demand that Jesus make him clean. Rather, he said that if it was the will of Jesus, then the healing could happen. We see similar language in the Lord’s Prayer, “your will be done” (Mt 6:10). We also see a comparable sentiment from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he asks God the Father, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39). It takes a lot of faith to know that the answer could be a no. A no to the leper’s request would have meant more years of being despised by society and no one touching or loving him. It would have meant scrounging for basic needs and begging the world to remember that he was human.
Our Lord took mercy on him. He touched him and made him clean. How long had it been since this person had any physical contact with another person?
Sometimes it’s hard enough not to spoil a good book or movie; imagine how difficult it would have been for this leper to keep this miracle a secret. He couldn’t contain his excitement and spread the message of Jesus to all he encountered. The merciful Messiah changed his life, and he needed everyone to know it.
Similar stories are shared by those whose lives have been touched by the outreach and programs offered by Catholic Charities.
Those who live at the margins of today’s society often feel like the lepers of ancient Israel: unclean, the objects of others’ fears, and cut off from the community. Those who are homeless, incarcerated, unemployed, suffering from addictions, experiencing developmental disabilities, unplanned pregnancies, isolated elderly persons, etc., may suffer through alienation from family, friends, and the extended community.
If you watched the video shared in the e-mail that went out to the parish, you will have heard about Todd and his journey from homelessness to housing made possible through Catholic Charities St. Elizabeth Center; of the incarcerated residents at the Grafton Correctional Institution and how they give back to the community through Catholic Charities shelters and pantries; Tiffany and the childcare of her daughters made possible through Catholic Charities St. Augustine Child Enrichment Center.
In a very real sense, these and countless others are begging the world to remember that they are human. And in response to their respective healing gifts made possible because of our support of Catholic Charities, they cannot contain their joy and appreciation, much like the leper in this weekend’s gospel.
Conduct the 2024 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal In-Pew Pledge
This morning’s Collect asks that we be “fashioned by [God’s] grace” implying that God will act to cleanse us and bring us to new life - that is, to be “a dwelling pleasing” to God. The Paschal Mystery of Christ makes it possible for us to live in God and God in us. This transformation empowers us to live and love in imitation of Jesus.