Word to the Wise
Friday, January 10, 2014 - Friday after Epiphany, or Jan. 11
[1 John 5:5-13 and Luke 5:12-16]It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I do will it. Be made clean." And the leprosy left him immediately.
Imagine a person you know who has been ill a long time and whose illness has required that everyone who knows him or her has to be careful about getting too close or at least must wash their hands, etc.etc. Then a dramatic treatment occurs and the ill person is restored to good health almost overnight! We know that this is more than simply the cure of the illness, there is a great healing that takes place and this may require a bit of time. The mutual relationship between us and the person is changed! We can touch them and get close and include them in ways not possible for so long! Everyone involved has to get used to the new relationship!! What Jesus gives to the leper in today's gospel is more than a cure! It is a healing restoration! Jesus' command to the leper to go and get the necessary certification from the temple priests is part of that restoration. The community might not take the leper at his word that some wandering preacher cured him!
The leper's faith that Jesus could and would heal him is what brings this restoration about. Perhaps the line, "if you wish," might include the possibility of a "No!" in the thought of the leper. After living with leprosy and knowing no other way to be, the leper may have been "hoping against hope!" But this is sufficient for Jesus, whose power is greater than the illness and the taboos which were part of society's reaction. Where do we need "restoration?" Do we believe that Jesus can and will restore us? AMEN