Friday after the Epiphany
Gospel: Luke 5:12-16
Leprosy

In today’s Gospel, we see a man afflicted with leprosy. In Jesus’ time, those who had leprosy were often seen as unclean. Leprosy, like leprosy today, was highly contagious. For this reason, in the Book of Leviticus, the Lord instructed Moses: “The person who has a case of serious skin disease is to have his clothes torn and his hair left uncombed, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He will be unclean as long as he has the disease. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.” (cf. Lev 13:45-46) From this, we can see that for the Jews of Jesus’ time, one who had leprosy had to be separated from family and social relations, resulting in isolation by the entire community.

Luke tells us: A man afflicted with leprosy came to Jesus seeking His healing. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not regard this man as unclean. Through an action the leper could perceive, He touched the sick man. In Luke’s words: Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be cleansed.” And the leprosy left him immediately. (cf. Luke 5:13) Thus, He set an example for us.

In the past, we too lived in various states of uncleanness. Because of original sin, we have suffered from all kinds of leprosies—not only physical and psychological, but also spiritual leprosy. This leprosy is sin, which distances us from God and makes us unclean. Therefore, today, let us imitate this leper, find the courage to approach God, and ask for His healing, so that we may become clean. And let us share the good news of our cleansing with others through appropriate and dignified actions, so that the world may, like us, be cleansed through faith in God and the mercy of Jesus Christ, restoring all of creation to the harmony of its original creation by God.

Holy Mary, you are our Mother, pray for us. Amen.

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