Thursday, January
17, 2002
1st Week in Ordinary Time
1st
Reading: 1 S 4:1-11
Gospel: Mk 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and begged him, "If you so will, you can make
me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched
him, saying, "I will; be clean." The leprosy left the man at
once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned
him, "Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the
priest and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this
way you will make your declaration."
However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere,
so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he
stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.
Commentary
Reaching out and
touching eliminates isolation and desolation. Jesus teaches us that taking
the initiative and reaching out to the person's real situation are needed
to succeed in our ministry and apostolate. God does not want us to be
separated from him/her or from others; we are persons not just individuals.
In our modern world too often we are identified with a number, our ID
is a number; no wonder that when someone calls us by name and touches
our life, we feel recognized, accompanied, saved. Time heals a wound but
leaves a scar. Our concern and closeness to other heals and revives. We
are to touch the wounds and eradicate the leprosy of hatred, divisions,
and rejection that marks our antisocial society. The Lord teaches this
lesson today.