Only those who were “clean” could take part in the prayers and ceremonies
of the Jewish people. In the time of Jesus, these religious and social rules created a
whole group of people who lived on the fringe of society. Foremost among this
group of outcasts were those suffering from a skin disease called leprosy.
The community of believers looked upon this group as cursed and a
potential source of danger. No one would go near them and certainly not touch
them.
The leper became a symbol or representative of all those whom the
community held at a distance and avoided. “Jesus, moved with pity, stretched out
his hand and touched him…” — a very radical gesture of acceptance and healing.
Jesus then told the leper to show himself to the priest so that the priest could
officially recognize the healing as a gift of God’s mercy.
This scene tells us much about the compassion of Jesus. It also tells us
much about the responsibility of the community. We are the people of God or as
St. Paul says, “the Body of Christ.” That being true, we must imitate Jesus. His
thoughts and attitude must also be our thoughts and attitude.
Each community of believers needs to regularly have an examination of
conscience. Are there people whom we exclude or keep at a distance? Does this
separation come about because of fear or judgment? Do we “blame” people for
how they are or what they do and then use it as an excuse to disregard them?
All of those are normal human reactions to the life struggles that are part of
every community. Yet, once we really listen to the Gospel about the leper, we
must become committed to working against all that divides us. No one can be
easily and automatically placed beyond the limits of our compassion. Ours must
be a welcoming community. And even more than that, we must be a community
which reaches out like Jesus did.
All of us have “limits” about how far we are willing to go. As a disciple, we
are called to keep trying to stretch those limits. All of us at times say, “I just can’t
stand people who __.” Today’s Gospel reminds us that we cannot be satisfied
with that attitude. Reaching and stretching is part of being Christian.
