IMITATING THE HEALING TOUCH OF JESUS

 Homily for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year, B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scripture Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45.

Every 11th of February is observed as the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. This observation was instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992 as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. It is therefore no coincidence that the readings of this 11th day of February, the sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time are centered on the dreaded disease of leprosy and Jesus’ compassion and care for those suffering from it.

For the Jewish people, leprosy was seen as a defiling condition that rendered individuals ritually unclean. That’s why lepers were treated differently. Our today’s first reading offers a perfect description of the social condition of lepers especially in the Ancient Near East. The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose; and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’ (Leviticus 13:45). In addition, lepers were ostracized from society and required to live outside the camp or city, separated from others (Leviticus 13:46).

Our understanding of the strict isolation and social stigma associated with leprosy will make us appreciate greatly the humility, faith, and courage of the leper who walked up to Jesus in today’s gospel reading. The leper broke every barrier in order to come to Jesus. His sense of urgency and desperation drove him to overcome social barriers and societal expectations in order to encounter Jesus. He did not allow fear or shame to deter him from seeking help. His willingness to approach Jesus demonstrates a deep faith and trust in Jesus’ power to heal. Like the leper, we too are called to come before God with humility and faith, trusting in his mercy and compassion to respond to our needs and desires.

Given the severity of his condition, one would have expected him to simply ask Jesus to restore him to wholeness as was the case with the Blind Bartimaeus. But instead, he made a humble wish: “Lord, if you will, you can cure me”. In that humble statement, the leper demonstrated a profound acceptance of God’s sovereignty and will. Despite his earnest desire for healing, he acknowledged that ultimately it is God’s will that prevails. This teaches us the importance of surrendering our own desires and plans to God, trusting that his will is always good and perfect, even when it differs from our own. Also, the leper’s humble gesture teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God’s timing, even when we are eagerly seeking his urgent intervention in our lives.

Instead of recoiling from the leper’s condition, Jesus moved with pity and compassion, reached out his hand and touched the man, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” In this simple yet profound act, Jesus demonstrated his power to heal not only physical ailments but also to restore dignity, wholeness, and belonging to those who are excluded, marginalized, and oppressed. The significance of Jesus’ touch cannot be overstated. In Jewish culture, touching a leper would have been considered a taboo. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to reach out and touch the leper, thereby bridging the gap between purity and impurity, acceptance and rejection. His touch communicated a powerful message of love, acceptance, and inclusion to the leper.

Dear friend, today’s readings challenge us to reflect on our own attitudes towards those who are suffering from different kinds of leprosy: the sinner, marginalized, oppressed, and suffering. Are we willing to reach out with compassion and love, like Jesus, to those who are in need? Also, do we humbly approach Christ with faith, trusting in his power to heal and transform our lives? Are we willing to allow the will of God to be done even when our situation is severe and desperate? Are we willing to break down barriers of stigma and exclusion, extending a hand of friendship and acceptance to those who are marginalized or ostracized by society? Let us pray for the grace to emulate Jesus’ compassion, humility, and love in our interactions with others. May we be instruments of healing, reconciliation, and inclusion in a world that often divides and excludes.