Accepting the outcast
From today’s Scripture: “A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, ‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’”—Mk 1:40-41
In today’s gospel, the leper approached Jesus with humility. In those days, the leper was an outcast of society and, in the eyes of people, the leprosy was evidence of his great sinfulness. To touch a leper was unthinkable and, in that society’s eyes, would make Jesus impure also. However, Jesus is moved with pity and reaches out his hand to him and cures him with a touch. By accepting and touching him, Jesus has invited the marginalized and outcast into the Kingdom of God.
How often have we turned away from the needy and marginalized of today’s society?
Let us pray: Lord, let my faith not be swamped by horror at the misery and hopelessness of so many in our world. Instead, I ask your blessing on those who devote themselves to compassionate care of the needy. I ask the grace to be numbered among them.
Today’s author is Mike Schneider, Glenmary’s former Treasurer and Chief Administrator.
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