Leprosy represents uncleanliness. To be a leper means that one must be placed at a distance from the community. According to the Law a leper could not approach a Jew, a leper could not enter into the Temple, and a leper was not allowed to touch anyone. If you were to be touched by a leper then you, in return, would be considered by the Law to be unclean.
With all of this in mind we hear concerning the lepers that they were found to be "far off." Their uncleanliness kept them from coming into contact with the Jews and their uncleanliness kept them from coming into contact with God within the Temple.
So from a distance they cried out that Christ may have mercy upon them. Due to this desire for mercy they were instructed to go to the priests and be cleansed. What Christ commands of them is found to be in accordance with the Jewish law which demands that a leper is to be cleansed in this manner.
One problem here is that these ten were still stricken with leprosy, they were not yet healed from it, yet they did what they were instructed to do in order that they would be healed from their burden. In other words, they were found in obedience unto Christ and unto His words concerning them. At His command they went with haste and did what they were instructed to do in order that they may be healed of their infirmity.
Of these ten who were sent out in order to be healed only one returned to give glory to God for the miracle that had taken place within their life. The other nine were given a great gift and upon its reception they had already forgot to whose honor it was owed.
As we glance inwardly upon ourself we must be truthful and realize that we are a sinner who is in need of God's abundant mercy. Through our sin we have been placed at a distance from Christ, but thankfully we do not have to grow accustomed to this reality. Christ's looks upon each of us in His infinite mercy and assures us that we can be healed of our burdens. We are not to be kept at a distance, but we are called to be reconciled and thus be brought into the community of faith where we come to encounter God and communion with one another.
We must also be willing to look outward towards those who are found to be “far off.” We must be willing to invite them to come in and to have their life changed by an encounter with Christ. Our faith calls us to conversion, but we must take the first step in order to invite people to encounter Christ in order that their life may be transformed. Christ looked out upon those who were excluded and had compassion for them no matter what their ailment was. The Church looks out upon all of us and shares this same compassion with us through an authentic encounter with Christ’s mercy which leads towards conversion.
