HOMILY FROM CANON STEPHEN FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY
‘Stretched out his hands …’
Jesus, in today’s Gospel, cures a leper by the healing touch of his hand. A leper was completely outcasted from society due to the huge stigma surrounding the disease, which was highly contagious but was also seen as a punishment from God in Jesus’ time. Jesus is moved with pity for this man and reaches out to him. Jesus sends the man to the priests, as a testimony to them. Jesus’ ‘pity’ also conveys anger at the leper’s situation. It is the religious hierarchy of Jesus’ time who have alienated this man. What they are incapable of doing (healing him), Jesus has done by ‘stretching out his hand’ in love.
A question for us from this Gospel today might be, who are those our society outcast? Who is alienated in our communities and area? What moves you with pity? Who is it that we need to reach out to at this time? Jesus shows us the Gospel Mission: it is not about introducing a distant God to people. It is saying to people that God is more interested in you than you are in God. If you show any signs of a response through trust and love, as the leper did (‘of course I want to’) then the interest turns into a relationship that is life-giving. God is nearer than we think! Our belief is anchored on the truth be that ‘God loved us first’.
Jesus, in Mark’s Gospel, is forever asking people to keep quiet and not tell anyone about what he does. Yet, after such a radical encounter with God which frees this man from all that keeps him trapped, of course he wants to shout from the roof tops. Why would Jesus want his miracles to be kept a secret? Jesus wants to be able to fulfil his mission without attracting the wrong kind of attention. Eventually those who are against him will use encounters like this one to compile evidence against him. For now, the less they know the better. We might think today of those who bravely speak out, even if it means they are punished in some way. May all of us have the courage, like the man who is healed in the Gospel today, to proclaim the truth, even if it costs us.
Please look after yourselves and take care of each other. These are enriching times when we can reach out to others. ‘If you choose, you can make me clean’. Our choice is a key factor in how we affect others. We cannot choose to have no impact on the people in our lives. Even a choice to do nothing has an effect. When have you been particularly aware of the importance of your choice to be a positive influence on another? – A Good point leading into Lent next week!
Pope Francis mentions in his last letter to us – Fratelli Tutti – ‘There is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds. There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.’
God bless you and your families! 😊
