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| Christ cleans leper man (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File) |
Deacon Tom writes©
Clean Me Up, Lord!
Leprosy was dreaded disease. Can you imagine the
feelings of utter rejection the Leper in today’s gospel experienced when he was
found to be “unclean”? Unclean! This word meant banishment and
isolation not only from participating in the services at the Synagogue, but also
from family, friends, and even their livelihood. People with leprosy were
banished to the “abode of the dead” for all intense and purposes. And, worst of
all, there was no way back.
We can’t help realize as we read the gospels that Jesus
did not recognize any barrier that kept people alienated from God’s abundant
love. In fact, throughout Jesus’ ministry, he continued to challenge rules,
attitudes, powers and authorities that led to division or imposed obstacles to
genuine and authentic spirituality, that is, union with God. Today’s gospel shows
Jesus bringing God’s healing power to this forsaken man and making him clean. This
intensely liberating act by Jesus allowed the cleanse Leper to reclaim his rightful
place in the community.
Sin is tantamount to “spiritual leprosy”, a sickness that deprives us of God’s graces
that are vital to life. Sin diverts our focus away from God. We choose instead
to pursue our own selfish and often destructive desires. Let’s face it, we are
not very pleasant at times and fall way short of “the glory of God”. We are
demanding of others. To get what we want we can often be abusive, manipulative,
and conniving. When we don’t get what we want, we can become bitter, resentful,
and very ungrateful. We experience too many days when we are not our best
selves and those around us know it! We do many things that alienate us from one
another, that undermine one of the most basic tenets of our faith, namely, that
we are “temples” of the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit of God abides in
us.
Jesus is always looking to wash away our sins in order
to strengthen our relationship with him. The Leper in today’s gospel shows us
how to do that when he asks Jesus:
“If you
wish, you can make me clean.”
And
Jesus’ reply, “I do will it. Be made
clean.”
If we wish it, Jesus can restore us to health
–physical, spiritual or emotional. He can get us back on the road to true
happiness and joy, even though we may have messed things up quite a bit. He
can, in the words of the 23rd Psalm, “…. Restore my soul…” if, that is, we ask Him, and
if we let Him. Let us look to Jesus to help us overcome our sinful
past and to be made clean to enjoy the abundant life we find only through,
with, and in him.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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