SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Leviticus 13:1-2.44-46

Psalm 31:1-5.11

1Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Mark 1:40-45

THE CURING OF A LEPER

In today’s gospel passage, Saint Mark narrates the cure of a leper by Jesus. But we cannot understand the significance of this miracle without knowing the context in which Jesus acted. In effect, leprosy has always been a terrible illness, especially in ancient times. It was highly contagious and incurable. Hence, the ancient world used to combat leprosy by isolating the lepers, making them live outside the camp. They would cry aloud, “unclean, unclean!” as a warning to anyone approaching them (Lev. 13:1-2.44-46).

However, beyond this need to prevent contamination, leprosy was considered as the consequence of sin and a sign of uncleanness. The leper could not participate in communal worship. Moreover, anyone who unfortunately touched a leper would become unclean and would need to go through purification rites before he could be reintegrated into the community as would be the case for the leper himself. As a result, the leper suffered a double affliction: the physical suffering inflicted by the sickness and the psychological pain of being separated from his own people.

This was the situation why the action of Jesus was very remarkable. A leper came to him begging: “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved by compassion, Jesus broke the norms of purity that prohibited him to approach, let alone touch a leper. He stretched out his hand, touched the leper and healed him (Mark 1:40-45). These daring actions of both the leper and Jesus restored the man to good health and reintegrated him to his community.

It is noteworthy that in our days, leprosy is disappearing and the few cases are easily cured, but stigmatization and social isolation are still realities in our communities. Many are neglected, ignored and living at the margin of society: the elderly, the poor, the sick, prisoners, victims of HIV/AIDS, migrants, alcoholics, etc. These social ills have become more evident with the covid-19 pandemic. It is in this perspective that we need to take Saint Paul’s exhortation seriously.

He invites us to imitate him just as he himself imitates Christ. Like Jesus, we need sometimes daring and audacious actions in order to save and liberate man. May we therefore learn from him so as to be moved by compassion and love in front of the woes and miseries of others. May the Lord bless and keep all of us.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!