"Cleanse me"
Healing a man with leprosy is a striking act of mercy. Anyway, this is how we can read, and probably should, every healing performed by Jesus. This Sunday gospel scene, however, has more meaning. Like any serious disease, leprosy was understood by the Jews as a consequence of sin. Additionally, in its terrible effects it was associated not only with specific symptoms visible on the body, but also with the necessity to be excluded from social life.
The lepers were "dead" to society at that time. There was no chance of returning to normal life in this situation. The disease was incurable. However, according to the faith of Israel at that time, leprosy as a consequence of sin was also a sign of exclusion from God's world. Social and God's exclusion overlapped - the sick person was excluded from sharing his life with the life of the nation, he could not participate in temple and synagogue worship, he was not included in God's blessing for Israel.
He was dead to the world and God. Hence the sick person request to Jesus: "Cleanse me" is significant. Not only: "Heal me." He is asking for a change of his whole life. He wants to become not only healthy, but even someone else. Jesus heals him by touching. Christ shows not only his mercy, but most of all the power to change a person's life. Whole life. For the evangelist Mark, "cleanse me" is the cry of every person - including us today - plunged in the hopelessness of sin, unable to do anything with our own strength. But just as God did not really separate himself from those who were in "death" of leprosy, so He never turned away from man who was in "death" of sin, hopelessness, and spiritual helplessness. The called Christ comes with his touch, which transforms and thus restores man to himself, to the world and to God.
One more Thought
I think Jesus was looking with smiling eyes at the fact that a healed man, despite the ban, was spreading the fact of miracle left and right. Lured people flocked anyway. And Jesus - the Messiah was an ordinary, humble man towards them, who did good without seeking publicity. His hour has not yet come. But people were looking for Him, they came to Him, some for healing, others out of sheer curiosity - to see the Miracle Worker! And this is it! Because sensation is always sensation. What does it mean for us? We should do good to people in need no matter what the circumstances are,although sometimes the proverb “Good deeds take revenge on those who do it” is true. But do not look for popularity. What if He comes? Accept Him humbly. Also, sometimes accept insolence and insults. “Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your mercy and faithfulness” (Ps 115:1)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george