I want to, be clean

Lev. 13:1-2.44-46, 1 Cor. 10:31–11:1, Mk 1:40-45. On this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the Church reminds us that God desires our healing and in response, we must announce the Good News of God’s healing and join a community of God. Today's first reading gives the Mosaic prescriptions regarding diseases of the skin. Though, it was thought that any sort of distortion or blemish on the skin makes the individual and the community less whole. This socio-religious custom is to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, but it is also part of the perspective that the community is supposed to be whole and unblemished when it comes together to worship God. The Hebrew concept is that any person who is physically or spiritually impaired cannot join the assembly in worship because their impurity could taint the community’s relation with God. Just as lepers are said to present themselves to the priests to lifts the ban that excludes them from the community, we must also present ourselves to the Priest (in the Sacrament of penance) to lift our bans of exclusion from participating in the Holy Eucharist.

Thus, like the mission of Christ which is that of restoration and redemption, we must bring back that, which was lost, damaged, defaced or disfigured. The marginalised people in our society need acceptance, understanding and compassion and not our harsh judgment and condemnation. Jesus had a very positive and encouraging attitude towards social and spiritual outcasts. He had a way of inviting them, including them, supporting them, empowering them and most importantly, restoring their dignity and confidence. In today's Gospel, the leper who was ostracised, marginalised and excluded by people came to Jesus and humbly requested: “If you want to, you can make me clean.” Jesus generously responded, “I want to, be clean.” Jesus healed him immediately and by doing so, Jesus restored the leper’s confidence in him; He restored the leper’s faith in God; He restored his social image, dignity and He restored the leper back to communion with his people. In today's second reading, Paul invites us to be people who seek not only our benefits but the benefit, salvation and restoration of others (Cf. 1 Cor. 10:31-11:1). Like the leper, we are also disfigured not only by our physical diseases, but also by moral and spiritual leprosy. We all stand in need of divine intervention for the restoration of our lost health, wealth, dignity, confidence and faith. We join the Psalmist in praying, “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Ps 80:19).

May the Lord bring His divine intervention on coronavirus patients and restoration of our dignity, integrity, confidence and faith before God! Amen!! Happy Sunday, Stay safe, safe life, Jesus loves you!!!