SUNDAY OF THE LEPER.
Liturgical Notes:
 

The miracle of Jesus curing the leper took place when Jesus was visiting the cities of Galilee. At that time, many diseases of the skin were referred to as leprosy. It seems that in this case the man was suffering from a true case of leprosy. No other disease can compare to the ugliness of leprosy. It tortures a person for many year, destroys and human appearance, and ultimately kills the individual. The sufferer becomes utterly repulsive to others and to himself. In the time of Jesus, the leper was declared to be "unclean" and was separated from the rest of the community.

The physical disease of leprosy can be compared to the spiritual disease of sin. A person who sins eventually loses the image of the divine imprinted upon his soul. He becomes hateful to others and even to himself. He becomes separated from the rest of the community, the Body of Christ, and forced to swell alone.

In the Old Testament, a leper who was cured was treated similar to a repentant person. A cured leper was required to offer two birds at the Temple. One bird was killed and the second live bird was dipped in the blood of the sacrificed bird and allowed to go free. We are also cleansed by the blood of Christ.

We must consider the courage of the leper who approached Jesus for healing. According to the law, he was forbidden to go near anyone, but the Leper does not consider the law. He simply wants to be cured and he knows where the healing is to be found. Jesus does his hand and touched the leper. (This act itself was forbidden by the law.) His only concern was the desperate need of this suffering man. After curing the man, he instructed him to perform the ritual imposed by the law.

Jesus was somewhat severe with the man after the cure and instructed him to tell no one of the miraculous healing. Nonetheless, the man went throughout the countryside and told everyone about Jesus. Jesus was thus obliged to avoid the populated areas and withdraw to the desert places.

The cure of the leper manifests what sin can do to us and what the miraculous healing power of the Lord can do for us. Just as the leper showed courage and sought the healing power of Jesus, let us seek the healing power of Jesus in confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness.