THE LEPROSY OF SIN
The leprosy of sin is more contagious than physical leprosy as a disease. This is because like leprosy, sin separate and ostracize us from God and the Christian community. Good enough, though leprosy has no remedy. For sin, there is repentance and the infinite mercy of God.
Accordingly to the World Health Organisation (WHO), leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Leprosy is likely transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.
However, sin like leprosy eats away slowly, gradually and silently our spiritual soul and leave our conscience dead if not check or control in time. Finally, leprosy is terminal and so is sin, its end is eternal death.
OUR THEME
The readings of this Sunday continue with the healing grace of God that cares and wants to cure us of one of the most deadly diseases: leprosy. It is not only a physical disease that affects individuals. It is a social disease that ostracizes the individual from the human community. As well, it is also seen as a religious disease that stigmatizes the individual as a sinner. Hence, in ancient Jewish society, leprosy is considered as a punishment from God for one´s sin or that of his or her generations.
The readings also focus on the theme of reintegration of a healed individual through the ministration and testimony of the priest. Through a rite of passage of religious rituals and sacrifice and above all through a profound attitude of thanksgiving. This demonstrates to us that though the first reading and Gospel treat physical leprosy. Our leprosy today could be leprosy of the soul affected by sins.
This cleansing and reconciliatory gesture is our attitude also towards the sacrament of reconciliation. Where our sins are not only forgiven but we are also re-integrated into the mystical body of Christ, the Church. As such, the sacrament of forgiveness is not only our reconciliation with God, others and ourselves but also with the Christian community.
FIRST READING LEVITICUS (13:1-2, 44-46
Leprosy was not only a deadly and contiguous disease that ravaged its host. It amounts to ostracization of the carrier from the Jewish community. As well, it is the stigmatization of uncleanliness for the rest of life unless he or she is cured or healed miraculously.
The priest plays a very important role in the declaration of the disease as well as the affirmation of its healing. That is, his role in dictating leprosy or certifying its healing by the Jewish priest calls for strictness to the seriousness of the disease. At the same time, the priest is the figure of compassion and empathy calling of his tender love, soothing and care towards the leper or suspected cases.
Psalm 32 invites us to always and everywhere turn to the Lord in time of trouble and so that the joy of his salvation may fill us. We need a grateful attitude amid troubling time to stay positive and strong-willed.
SECOND READING 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-11:1
Though brief, the second reading of Paul letter to the Corinthian Christian community has its root in Paul´s teaching on Christian conduct is the midst of pagan people and practices. Particularly, Paul admonition borders on food sacrificed to idols and the invitation to imitate him. That is to live out a truthful, transparent and virtuous Christian life among pagans without offending anyone.
Corinth as a Greek city and a harbour city with the conglomeration of people from all walks of life is predominantly pagans. It is a very rich multi-racial and multicultural as well as multi-religious city with a lot of practices.
In the ancient Greek world animals and food sacrificed to deities or gods sometimes their surpluses are sold in the market. However, these animals or food offered to deities or gods are not just mere sacrifices. They have malignant forces behind them. That is, there are diabolic, satanic or demonic forces behind pagan worships.
As such, in the early verses before today´s reading 1 Cor. 10: 1-30, Paul gave practical advice about how a Christian should go about food or meats from an animal sacrificed the idols.
1. In his opinion meat or food from idol sacrifices sold in the market should be eaten without qualms of conscience because the earth is the Lords.
2. Likewise, if a pagan relative or friend invite one to a meal, such a person should also partake in the meal without offending or qualms of conscience.
3. However, if one is informed that the food is offered in sacrifice, then for the sake of the pagan host one should not eat the meal so as not to scandalize the pagan friend or relative who may not know that food to idol means nothing.
4. Ultimately, for Paul a Christian should be of good conduct and behaviour before the pagans and the Jews. Though there is nothing like food to the idol but a Christian should not drink the cup of demons.
Hence, the reading of today began with “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Not offend Jews or to Greeks or the church of God.” For Paul the Corinthian Christian though in freedom must be of a good example to the Jews, the Pagan Greek and his or her fellow Church members.
Finally, he encouraged them to be imitators of him as he was of Christ: selfless, self-effacing and self-donating to win and save all to Christ.
THE GOSPEL: MARK 1:40-45
In the New Testament, there is no disease regarded with more terror and pity than leprosy. The fate of the leper was truly hard. Besides, the ulcerations affecting the physical body and vital organs as well as the nervous system. Leprosy also affects the human appearance and looks, until the sufferer becomes utterly repulsive both to himself and to others.
LEPROSY IN JEWISH SOCIETY
In ancient Jewish society due to lack of medical treatment, the sufferers of leprosy or any related skin diseases were considered unclean. They are not only ostracized from the human community or stigmatized as unclean and sinner. They were obligated to announce their unworthiness or uncleanliness where they went.
LEPROSY IN MEDIEVAL TIME
In the Middle Ages, which merely applied the Mosaic Law (Leviticus chapters 13 and 14). The priest, wearing his stole and carrying a crucifix, led the leper into the church, and read the burial service over him. The leper was a man who was already dead, though still alive. He had to wear a black garment that all might recognize and live in a leper- or lazar-house.
Therefore, the leper had not only to bear the physical pain of his disease; he had to bear the mental anguish and the heartbreak of being completely banished from human society and shunned.
CURED LEPROSY AND REINTEGRATION TO SOCIETY
If ever a leper was cured, though many expert believe that real leprosy was incurable. He or she was examined by the priest. Two birds were taken and one was killed over running water. Also, there was taken cedar, scarlet and hyssop. These things and the living bird were dipped in the blood of the dead bird and then the live bird was allowed to go free. The man washed himself and his clothes and shaved. Seven days then elapsed and he was re-examined.
He had then to shave his hair, his head, his eyebrows. Certain sacrifices were made–two male lambs without blemish and one ewe lamb; three tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil and one log of oil. The amounts were less for the poor. The restored sufferer was touched on the tip of the right ear, the right thumb and the right great toe with blood and oil. He was given a final examination and, if clear of the disease, he was snowed to go with a certificate that he was clean issued by the priest.
EMPATHY CHRIST WITH THE LEPER
This is the context Jesus met the leper in the gospel of today. The leper did not only ask Jesus to cure him but fell on his knees as a sign of recognition and adoration to Christ as God. Since it is only God who has the power to heal and restore to wholeness.
The personality of Christ as an empathetic God and Eternal High Priest concerns for our well-being play out graciously in a seemingly awkward situation.
(i) He did not drive away a man who had broken the law. The leper had no right to have spoken to him at all, but Jesus met the desperation of human need with understanding compassion.
(ii) Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. He touched the unclean man. To Jesus he was not unclean; he was simply a human soul in desperate need.
(iii) Having cleansed him, Jesus sent him to fulfil the prescribed ritual. He fulfilled the human law and human righteousness. He did not recklessly defy the conventions, but, when need be, submitted to them.
Here we see compassion, power and wisdom all conjoined. An approach to the pastoral ministry of caring for the sick, the aged, and the poor or destitute.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Eternal High Priest and the Divine Doctor that heals saves and restores us to wholeness in spite of sicknesses and diseases. Indeed, by your wounds we are healed of all diseases: mentally, physically, psychologically and spiritually. Help us with the faith and grace to know that you care always for our healing and wholeness especially in the midst of this pandemic. Amen.
