Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

— 12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.

Stop! Don’t for a second contemplate not seeing just how radical today’s Gospel is!

Jesus deeply and profoundly encounters. The man is “covered with leprosy!” As a result, he is ritually unclean as well as physically ill. He is banished from community and from temple. He is not to be touched. If touched, the one who touches, they too, become ritually unclean.

In true encounter, the first movement is to come as guest to the other’s sacred story. The guest, comes gently, slowly, respectfully, honouring the sacred ground of the other’s life. Like Jesus today, we choose to be deeply present and our presence says, “You are lovable, you are unique, you are truly beautiful!” From guest-ness and presence, our hearts open wide in compassion, our eyes soften, and our touch is respect filled.

In today’s Gospel we find one of the most beautiful lines in Sacred Scripture, “I do choose!” Another translation says, “Of course I want to!” This simple, powerful “reaching out” and touching the leper costs Jesus the ire of the Pharisees.

Do we risk true encounter in our lives? Jesus instinctively knew that the power of and for such encounter and healing came from prayer, from “falling in love with his Abba Father God!” So, he withdraws to the lonely place and prayer. From this space, he could and longed to reach out with life giving touch.