June 26, 2026 Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: Mt 8:1-4
Today is Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Gospel of Saint Matthew recounts what took place as Jesus descended from the mountain after concluding the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew tells us that a leper came forward, knelt before Him, and said, “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.” (Cf. Mt 8:2)
In the time of Jesus, those afflicted with leprosy were regarded as unclean. Leprosy, like present-day Hansen’s disease, was highly contagious. Thus, in the Book of Leviticus, the Lord instructed Moses: “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall have his garments torn and his head bare; he shall shield his mustache and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as the score is on him, he remains unclean. He shall dwell apart; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” (Cf. Lv 13:45-46) Consequently, for the Jews of Jesus’ time, anyone suffering from leprosy had to be separated from family and social ties, resulting in complete isolation from the community. Therefore, this leper who approaches Jesus today clearly represents someone marginalized by society.
Today, this leper—who overcomes every obstacle to courageously come before Jesus—is us. Living in this valley of tears, and due to original sin, our souls, ever since we left our mother’s womb, are like this leper, covered with the sores and festering wounds caused by sin.
Christ the Lord, rich in mercy, upon hearing the leper’s plea for cleansing, not only healed him immediately but also transcended the limitations of the Old Law: “Whoever touches the unclean thing shall itself be unclean, and whoever touches it becomes unclean until evening.” (Cf. Nm 19:21-22) He stretched out His hand, touched the leper, and said, “I will do it. Be clean.” (Cf. Mt 8:3)
When we gather the courage to seek God’s healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the merciful God comforts us through the ministers He has chosen. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, He washes away our original sin in the Precious Blood of Christ and, through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, makes us His children. Though we sin again and again, He continues to forgive us, ensuring that nothing separates us from His love.
Furthermore, He helped the man return to his community. According to the Law of Moses, a person with leprosy remained unclean as long as the disease persisted. (Cf. Lv 13:46) Only after the prescribed rites of purification could he return to his former dwelling. (Cf. Lv 14:1-32) This leper, once isolated due to his illness, was now sent by Jesus to comply with the Law: to present himself to the priest and offer the prescribed gift, thereby undergoing ritual purification and being readmitted into Jewish society.
Today, when we become aware of the leprosy of our soul, we too approach the confessional to seek God’s healing. The priest seated within represents Jesus and, by virtue of the power to forgive sins received in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, absolves us of our faults. Thus, we are reconciled with God and all creation and restored once more to the family of God’s children.
Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,God, for ever and ever
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