The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the isolation that we may maintain from people on our journey who are ostracized and need the touch of Jesus followers.
The reading from the Book of Leviticus offers advice concerning skin diseases like leprosy describing varieties and symptoms.
* [13:1–14:57] These chapters deal with scaly or fungal infections (Hebrew ṣāra‘at). The older translation “leprosy” is misleading because ṣāra‘at refers to not just one but several chronic and enduring skin diseases in human beings. The disease known as “leprosy” (Hansen’s disease) is probably not included among the conditions described in the chapter. Also the term ṣāra‘at refers to fungal growths in fabrics and on the walls of houses. The reason why these conditions, and not other diseases, were considered unclean may be that they were quite visible, associated with death (cf. Nm 12:9–12), and traditionally connected with punishment by the deity (Lv 14:34; Dt 28:27, 35; 2 Sm 3:29; 2 Kgs 5:26–27; 2 Chr 26:16–21). (Leviticus, CHAPTER 13, n.d.)
Psalm 32 praises the Joy of Forgiveness.
* [Psalm 32] An individual thanksgiving and the second of the seven Penitential Psalms (cf. Ps 6). The opening declaration—the forgiven are blessed (Ps 32:1–2)—arises from the psalmist’s own experience. At one time the psalmist was stubborn and closed, a victim of sin’s power (Ps 32:3–4), and then became open to the forgiving God (Ps 32:5–7). Sin here, as often in the Bible, is not only the personal act of rebellion against God but also the consequences of that act—frustration and waning of vitality. Having been rescued, the psalmist can teach others the joys of justice and the folly of sin (Ps 32:8–11). (Psalms, PSALM 32, n.d.)
In the reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians we are instructed to seek the good of others.
* [10:32–11:1] In summary, the general rule of mutually responsible use of their Christian freedom is enjoined first negatively (1 Cor 10:32), then positively, as exemplified in Paul (1 Cor 10:33), and finally grounded in Christ, the pattern for Paul’s behavior and theirs (1 Cor 11:1; cf. Rom 15:1–3). (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cleanses a Leper.
* [1:40] A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see Lv 13:1–50 and the note on Lv 13:2–4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (Nm 12:10–15; 2 Kgs 5:1–14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also note on Lk 5:14. (Mark, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Mary Lee Brock comments that Jesus is living in that tension of wanting to be available to all who express their faith while also feeling the human limits of exhaustion. It is no wonder he asked the man he healed of leprosy to stay quiet.
As I anticipate the beginning of my Lenten journey this week, I pray with these questions: How can I support those who are excluded based on rules and laws? When have I been too afraid to ask for and accept God’s mercy? How can I help disrupt systems of oppression in the way of Jesus? And I pray for the grace to know how best to give glory to God.
I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. (Brock, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Why did Jesus touch the leper,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
"And why did [Jesus] touch him, since the law forbade the touching of a leper? He touched him to show that 'all things are clean to the clean' (Titus 1:15). Because the filth that is in one person does not adhere to others, nor does external uncleanness defile the clean of heart. So he touches him in his untouchability, that he might instruct us in humility; that he might teach us that we should despise no one, or abhor them, or regard them as pitiable, because of some wound of their body or some blemish for which they might be called to render an account... So, stretching forth his hand to touch, the leprosy immediately departs. The hand of the Lord is found to have touched not a leper, but a body made clean! Let us consider here, beloved, if there be anyone here that has the taint of leprosy in his soul, or the contamination of guilt in his heart? If he has, instantly adoring God, let him say: 'Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.'" (excerpt from FRAGMENTS ON MATTHEW 2.2-3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 1:40-45 comments that while we might not be afflicted with leprosy, there is something that can cut us off from God and isolate us from other people: our sin. But on the cross, Jesus took on himself our sins and those of the whole world. By his resurrection, he destroyed the power of sin and death. Sin has no hold on him, and he does not fear it. Each time we come to him in repentance, seeking healing and restoration, he replies to us as he did to the man with leprosy: “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41).
So come to Jesus with your sins. Bring to him your isolation and suffering. He won’t pull away from you. He is the pure One who removes all of your impurity. He is the holy One who takes on your sin and strips it of its power over you. Like the man suffering from leprosy, don’t be afraid to approach Jesus. Let him bring you restoration and healing!
“Jesus, in my weakness and need, I come to you! Cleanse me and make me whole.” (Meditation on Mark 1:40-45, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the cultic liturgical instructions in Leviticus for dealing with contagious skin disease. Leprosy was identified later as a serious skin contagion. Paul emphasizes that we need to act in a way that gives no offense but offers respect to others and their customs. Friar Jude notes that the proclamation of healing by the leper results in Jesus seeking isolation in a deserted place.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares how studying the mystics can transform us and help us meet the needs of our times.
Mystics have plumbed the depths of both suffering and love, and emerged with depths of compassion for the world, and a learned capacity to recognize God within themselves, in others, and in all things. If we can read the mystics with an attitude of simple mindfulness, the insights and practices they share can equip us with a deep and embracing peace, even in the presence of the many kinds of limitations and suffering that life offers us. From such contact with the deep rivers of grace, we can live our lives from a place of nonjudgment, forgiveness, love, and a quiet contentment with the ordinariness of our lives—knowing now that it is not ordinary at all!
By applying the wisdom of the mystics to our daily and even momentary outlooks, we will be able to bring open-heartedness into the lives we lead and the work we do. Then we might just be able to recognize that the ordinary path can also be the way of the mystic. It is all a matter of the eyes and the heart.
Studying the mystics, and hopefully identifying with them in at least some small way, allows us into the seemingly simple yet always profound realm of those who have found their way close to God and all of creation. The path of the mystic is within our reach. [2] (Rohr, 2024)
We are nudged by the Spirit to contemplate the lives of people who are outcast and shunned and to seek openness to their needs in our actions.
References
Brock, M. L. (2024, February 11). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/021124.html
Leviticus, CHAPTER 13. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/leviticus/13?1
Mark, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?40
Meditation on Mark 1:40-45. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/11/893042/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10?31
Psalms, PSALM 32. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/32?1
Rohr, R. (2024, February 11). The Wisdom of the Mystics — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-wisdom-of-the-mystics/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Lord Jesus Can Make Me Clean. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved February 11, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb11
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