Friday, January 9, 2004
Friday after Epiphany

1st Reading: 1 Jn 5:5-13
Gospel: Lk 5:12-16

One day in another town, a man came to Jesus covered with leprosy. On seeing him he bowed down to the ground, and said, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean."

Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched the man and said, "Yes, I want it. Be clean." In an instant the leprosy left him. Then Jesus instructed him, "Tell this to no one. But go and show yourself to the priest. Make an offering for your healing, as Moses prescribed; that should be a proof to the people."

But the news about Jesus spread all the more, and large crowds came to him to listen and be healed of their sickness. As for Jesus, he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray.

Commentary

"HE doesn't have a single unpublished thought!" someone said about some writer. There is a kind of exhibitionism that is quickly recognized. It is even more true of television and the entertainment industry. Even the humble graffiti-writer with his spray-can is seeking a degree of fame.

An exhibitionist may seem very community-oriented, but he is just the opposite. He is contributing nothing, he just wants to see his own image reflected in people's eyes. Many people like the music of "Jesus Christ Superstar," but the thing makes Jesus appear as just a media star who got out of his depth. Every passing age, I suppose, sees Jesus in its own terms, and ours is the age of media entertainment.

It is striking then to read that Jesus said to the leper he had just healed, "Tell this to no one." And that "he would often withdraw to solitary places and pray."

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