Walking with Jesus: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, February 11, 2024

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

The ancient world, through trial and error, discovered and fine-tuned its medical knowledge and treatments. For example, the ancient Hebrews did not know about  bacteria. They observed people getting sick from eating pigs, so they came up with  kosher laws forbidding the eating of pork. They had other diseases they used as subjects for such laws: tuberculosis and smallpox, to name two. Today the readings talk about leprosy, which they used as a label for all sorts of skin diseases like acne, ringworm, scabies and psoriasis. Leprosy — today called Hansen’s disease — was not as contagious as some of the others. Actual leprosy was a horrible disease with running sores; decaying, disfiguring flesh; and a stinking odor that drove people away.

Leprosy was despised because of its ugliness, and lepers were driven from towns. Lepers had to ring bells and hold up signs identifying themselves as such, and they were totally despised. People were fearful that they could catch this “contagious” disease. As we can imagine, the people felt that this disease was a divine punishment for some terrible sin the individual(s) had committed. How many times have we heard in the past: “Well, that’s just God punishing you because you didn’t tell the truth” — or “hurt a sibling” — or whatever? God doesn’t do this. They felt God did this.

Lepers had no hope of receiving love, of being accepted as persons, of enjoying any human companionship. Think back during your lifetime and try to remember if you have ever felt anonymous, abandoned, a non-person — if the group you wanted to belong to rejected you or even mocked you out. Down through our years we know what it's like to not be chosen for a team or a fraternity/sorority, etc. During those years we grew, hopefully, to accept ourselves and discover that we are loved. And Jesus loves us at every moment of our lives, individually, with total compassion and mercy. While this is easy to hear, it may be hard to accept based upon our life experiences.  

The Israelites believe that leprosy isn't merely contagious in itself but also to anyone who comes in contact with a leper. Leviticus reminds them that lepers are in a state of being unclean, and because of this it isn’t “medicine” that can heal them; they have to go to the priest and follow prescribed “rituals.” We like to feel that the Scripture’s emphasis is on holiness and how we are treating “our neighbor … those in our daily lives” (Leviticus 19:9-18). It’s a reminder to reflect on how much concern we have for the “homeless, the rejected, the unwanted, the unloved.” Just like us, they have been created for greater things: They have been created to love and to be loved — that’s where we come in.

Mother Teresa said: “For me, the greatest development of human life is to die in peace with God.” Do I feel I am a person of peace? Am I selective in giving peace?

Paul is telling the people of Corinth — and all of us — that we are a part of God’s plan for the world. He gives us a one-line summary of Christian living: “Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” [1 Corinthians 10:31] This is a challenge for everyone involved in proclaiming Jesus and ministering to others. How am I doing?

Mark shares an interesting point that Jesus tells him after healing the leper: “… see to it that you tell no one.” [Mark 1:44] Scholars call this “The Messianic Secret,” which Mark explains later in the chapter. Mark wants to correct a false notion that Jesus is a miracle worker whose principal ministry and purpose is to perform wondrous acts. To Mark, miracles are only subordinate features of Jesus' ministry. His main purpose is to preach the Good News of Salvation. Jesus is not a Messiah of power and glory but a Messiah of suffering and death, showing that God’s salvation is one of compassion, forgiveness and love. Jesus is the Messiah — the incarnate God, preaching and showing God’s unconditional love to everyone through all time — who, by His saving death and Resurrection, has promised every person heaven … if they believe and if they love as Jesus does: to all.

So I reflect on:

• An amazing follow-through of the Gospel is that the leper could go back to his family and neighborhood and be present among people. Jesus, Mark says, can’t even enter a village publicly. He remains outside in deserted places. Why don't they want Him around?
• I wonder what I can do to welcome Him for food and fellowship, with nothing asked of Him other than His presence?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“Desire is important in life, as it gives direction and momentum. The leper knew what he wanted and believed that Jesus had the power to grant it. He came in humility, begging from a kneeling position. Jesus met him with a compassionate response. Lord, we come to You in our need and ask healing for the leprosy in our lives.

“This is a story of healing and touching. Strictly speaking, Jesus should not have touched a leper. Neither should the leper have approached Jesus, as lepers had to isolate themselves and call out ‘unclean, unclean’ to anyone who approached. Lord, help us to realize where we isolate ourselves from others so that we may become more community-minded in life.”