Sunday February 14, 2021 - Sixth Sunday in ordinary time - A great prophet arose among us, and God visited his people - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1, 40-45

The scriptures and the Church today focus on leprosy. Much like the current Coronavirus epidemic, leprosy terrified people in Jesus' time, in short it was a real plague.

The way people thought then was that leprosy was an expression of sin, by extension therefore, sin is leprosy for us Christians. From the Old Testament to the time of Jesus, this disease was considered a terrible disease because it was said to be the result of sin, the result of breaking the commandments of God. In a way, a person with leprosy was the worst, the most base of sinners.

The smell and pus coming out of the ulcer indicate that a leper is unclean. People with leprosy, by law, must go to the priest for a thorough examination. As soon as he is diagnosed with the disease, the individual is isolated, banished from family and social life, and even when he dies, he is buried elsewhere than in the family vault. In short, it is totally rejected.

Returning to the gospel account, a leper, comes to Jesus, showed deep reverence, he knelt down. With deference, he calls for clemency: "If you want, you can purify me". Without hesitation and with confidence without forcing it: "If you want ...!" Faced with his humility, Jesus did not hesitate: "I want it, be purified ..." Jesus' response was truly satisfying, refreshing with hope.

Brothers and sisters, God only requires faith of us, for there is nothing God cannot do for those who believe. Because of the leper's faith, God healed him with one word. Indeed, to heal means to restore health. Healing offers new life and restores the individual to community and family.

Jesus, You answer the prayers of the humble and oppose yourself to vanity. There is so much leprosy in us, in particular spiritual leprosy such as selfishness, jealousy, hypocrisy, pride… May our faith in You remove all these defects from us. Amen.