Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
The healing of one with leprosy
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
Reflection
This was a cleansing. We are used to reading of Jesus healing, but this was a cleansing. Jesus touched an unclean man to cleanse him. There is some talk that Jesus was more angry than compassionate. I think Jesus has seen enough of disease, sickness and sin that the cleansing brought anger against the fallenness of creation, not the leprosy of this man.
Now that this man had seen and felt the cleansing power of Jesus, he was able to fulfill what the law required and to show himself to the priest and be declared clean from leprosy. This would be a life changing moment in this man's life, both now and in the future. The man couldn't contain himself in his joy and fascination with Jesus.
As we are cleansed of our sin, we too can, and want, to respond with great joy. When we confess our sin and we repent and are forgiven, there is a joy of cleanliness that draws us out into the world to declare all the God has done for us. We too become like this man with leprosy and are joyful for our new life in Jesus. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Jesus, as we approach you this day, cleanse us and create in us new hearts that we may gladly and joyfully go to proclaim all the you have done... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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