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In Jesus’ time, leprosy included skin disorders of many types—not just Hansen’s disease, which is what we associate with leprosy. Some were serious: some were not. “Leprosy” included psoriasis, eczema, impetigo, boils, rashes, acne, and Hansen’s disease. Leprosy was not associated with bacteria or viruses—those things were not known of in Jesus’ day. Rather, it was associated with demons—“The leprosy left him” Leprosy was also associated with sin.

One didn’t go to doctor: one went to a priest. One had to undergo a purification process before being declared “clean”. Like we heard in the first reading, until a leper was declared. “clean” by the priest, he had to rend his garments, muffle his beard, cry out “unclean, unclean”, and dwell apart from everyone else, -Lepers were treated as outcasts or exiles.

Today’s gospel reading contains two stories of courage: courage by the leper and courage by Jesus. Leper courageously approached Jesus, knelt down, and put his faith in Jesus. He didn’t keep his distance as the law required. He could have been severely scolded/punished. Then, Jesus courageously touched him. Jesus could have sent him to a priest.

Jesus could have said “your cured, have a nice day”. BUT JESUS TOUCHED HIM Jesus risked getting the disease. Moreover, Jesus became ritually unclean for the rest of the day, which made him unable to participate in public worship and isolated him from the rest of the community. By touching the leper, Jesus shows that nobody is beyond his merciful, healing reach. Additionally, it anticipates the crucifixion: it shows how Jesus was willing to get his hands dirty, become unclean, and accept rejection in order to reconcile us to one another and God.

In conclusion, how might we follow the courageous examples of the leper and Jesus? How can we reflect the courage of the leper—bringing ourselves completely to the Lord, not holding ourselves back, trusting completely that Jesus can and will free us from whatever separates us from him or one another?

And, how can we be more like Jesus? Our society is not without its outcasts. At one time or another, we have probably all felt like outcasts. In today’s gospel reading, a few words and an outstretched hand from Jesus welcome the outcast leper back into his community. The same can be true for us. Simple acts of kindness frequently heal some of the pain and separation that many so-called outcasts experience.

Several years ago, Kevin Hines was 19 years old. He tried to die by suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. He got on the bus to go to the bridge. On his way there, he started questioning to jump. He was hoping that one person would see his pain, ask him if he was OK. He wanted to know that someone cared. Had they known his intentions; they surely would have reached out.

But he wasn’t going to prompt a conversation, and nobody reached out to him. When his stop came at the bridge, they were just in a hurry for him to get off the bus so that they could continue their journey. So, he got off the bus, rushed to edge, and jumped over the rail. He immediately regretted his decision. After a 200-foot descent, he hit the water, fracturing his lower vertebrae and plunging 70 feet down into the water. By some miracle, including the help of the sea lion, he survived, and now shares his story.

Our society is not without its lepers: its outcasts: its people who just need someone to acknowledge their existence, see their pain, and express their care for them. How can we be that person for others? How might we imitate Jesus’ example of care and welcome to those who feel rejected?

Fr. Steve Werner

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dayton

St. Marks, Waitsburg

Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Pomeroy