6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B
WHO UNDERSTANDS THE LEPER?
MK. 1: 40-45
MESSAGE
The leper portrayed in today’s gospel embodies the quintessential pariah of the world. This outcast is forced to seclude himself from those who perceive him as undesirable, unwelcome, unappreciated, and unloved. The ostensibly cultured, affluent, and educated society harshly judges these “lepers,” compelling them to withdraw from its midst. Consequently, the leper faces a lonely, despondent demise, overlooked and disregarded by the world. Yet, amidst this bleak reality, enters the Lord Jesus, performing the extraordinary and the unexpected.
Consider how Jesus engages with the outcast: he listens, he touches, he speaks, and he heals—not merely with his mighty power but foremost with his loving and welcoming heart. Can we fault the leper, once healed, for wanting to traverse the town, sharing his experience and proclaiming God’s love?
In our present reality, numerous outcasts coexist with us—individuals we would rather sidestep than engage, those we dismiss, and others from whom we feel compelled to distance ourselves. What has been your approach toward the poor, those who seek financial assistance, those embracing unconventional lifestyles, or those judged as sinful and misguided? How do you speak of them? What level of separation do you desire? And, perhaps most critically, in the quiet recesses of your heart, how do you secretly disdain them?
The Gospel compels me to contemplate the immense compassion of God. He is undeniably the sanctuary for the world’s rejected, the haven for the homeless, and the beacon of hope for the despairing. The leper, and every outcast, discovers a home in God’s heart.
REFLECT
Identify the leper in your life today. Recognize that when we exclude, avoid, or push people away from our hearts, we transgress against God. Ponder your interactions with such individuals and implore the Lord for forgiveness and for a renewed perspective toward “your” leper.
