It's been a year since the news of this deadly virus, COVID, surfaced and began a pandemic. It's been nearly a year since most of us been sheltering in place, working remotely from home, or being an essential worker and having to go in, missing our family and friends who aren't part of our "bubble," gathering for Mass on the black top as permitted, and, praying for many family, friends, and community who have been affected by this contagious virus.
In today's Gospel, we hear about the man suffering from a contagious and mysterious disease, leprosy. Those who had a skin disease were to be ostracized from society. In essence, quarantined as to not spread their disease. It frightened people then, as contagious and mysterious diseases frightens us today. We react, and act, and sometimes it isn't any different than in ancient times. Location and time doesn't change who we arel
The leper goes to Jesus, begging him, and kneeling, he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" The leper doesn't think "I've tried others for a cure, now I'll try Jesus..." No, he just knows that Jesus has the power. Jesus chooses to use his power and cures the man. Free of body sores, he can freely be a part of society and not be an outcast, "people in the shadows".
Jesus felt compassion for the man with leprosy, and he chose to show his compassion by his actions, The leper becomes a disciple -he spreads the word; He witnesses to Jesus' goodness. When we hear of the needs of others, we often feel compassion toward them; Then we must choose how we will respond. The most painful wounds we carry with from the past are more wounds of the spirit than the body. Of these spiritual wounds the one that causes us most pain is that of a belief that we are insignificant. In my teen and young adult years, I was treated as "insignificant" by a member of my family. Outcasted, not welcomed, and in pain, I knelt at the foot of the cross and prayed to Jesus. He touched me. I have felt Jesus' compassion ("moved to pity"), response to my wounds and sores. I am aware of the great things that Jesus has done for me and give gratitude for them in my prayers.
A few years ago, I attended the Religious Education Congress with our Confirmation staff. My friend, Vince, and I attended a workshop with the theme being 'All are Welcome! All Belong!' Powerful words...All are Welcome! All Belong! Welcome, all who are forgotten, excluded and dignity denied...You are not alone, for you are God's own. Do my actions and words reflect these words? When I see Vince, we continue to greet each other as we did from that workshop: All are Welcome! All Belong! Do I greet strangers/lepers the same way? Am I a disciple to them, too?
When an outcast, someone in the shadows, asks us for help, we are faced with a choice. We can choose to help, or we can decide not to help. We show ourselves to be true Christians when. like Jesus, we demonstrate compassion by our actions, giving help when we are able.
Our faith is not simply what we do on Sunday. It is not one part of our life. Our faith should be integrated into everything we do.
