Today’s Gospel reading brings us a story of miraculous healing by Jesus of a man “full of leprosy.” In current times, the term “leprosy” refers to Hansen’s disease, a bacterial infection that can cause a wide range of problems, including (but not limited to) skin lesions, nerve damage, and respiratory problems. The Scriptures use the term more broadly to describe any serious skin ailment, not just Hansen’s disease. The phrase “full of leprosy” suggests an advanced case with severe, disfiguring symptoms that may have been physically debilitating. Under the Law of Moses (see Leviticus 13:45-46), individuals with leprosy were required to live outside of town and, so that others could avoid coming too near, to announce their infirmity with torn clothes and cries of “Unclean!” They were outcasts, divided physically, emotionally and spiritually from the community. Jesus healed the leprosy, certainly, and did so in a way that also healed the pain associated with emotional and spiritual isolation.
We can learn a lot from this “man full of leprosy” who received the gift of being healed. He did not resign himself to suffering. Instead, desiring to be healed, he brought his illness to Jesus and asked for healing – a good lesson for us all. Our Alleluia verse reminds us that Jesus “cured every disease among the people,” so we should bring all our afflictions to Jesus – physical, emotional, spiritual … all of them.
But we can’t overlook what followed, how powerful a witness the man became, not because of anything he said but because it was apparent to everyone that he had been healed and changed. We, too, have that potential to show the impact Jesus has had and continues to have on our lives … to borrow the words of an old hymn, “let others see Jesus in you.” We must surrender our anxieties, fears and doubts so that we can fully experience the joy that comes from Christ, so much so that it will apparent to everyone that we have been healed and transformed. We must give up our angers, frustrations, insecurities and judgmentalism so that we can truly love our neighbors and ourselves. We must forgive and be forgiven so that our relationships with one another and with God can be restored. We must swap self-centeredness for compassion and arrogance for humility so that caring for the “least” ones (i.e., the hungry, the thirsty, the unwelcomed stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned listed by Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46) becomes second nature – and as we, with service and compassion, show others they are loved, we will be powerful witnesses, just like the man healed of leprosy in today’s Gospel.
David Crawford
I was Creighton’s University Archivist from January 2007 to April 2021, although as a faculty spouse I had been a part of the Creighton community since 1995. As University Archivist, I was responsible for archival, rare books and special collections, as well as for a Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible on loan to Creighton. I left Creighton to assist others with historical, archival, cultural and various artistic projects.
I have been married to my wife, Sue, since 1990. We have two sons, one a graduate of Fordham and the other a graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I enjoy birdwatching, playing soccer, music and comedy.
The online Daily Reflections have been an important part of my faith journey for several years. I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to write these devotions.
