In our Gospel we encounter a leper who was made clean and thus returned to the confines of the community. We must remember that leprosy was an incurable condition. As was pointed out in the Book of Leviticus, leprosy was a great risk to the community and thus “he shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”
Somehow this man had made his way into the city and here he came to humble himself in the presence of the Lord. Due to this man’s faith Christ stretched out His hand, touched him, and said: “I do will it. Be made clean.” It would of been easy for this man struck with leprosy to allow his condition to keep him separated from the community, but he did not accept that fate and went in search for the one who would bring him healing. Not only bodily, but to the community.
We must realize that this passage serves as a reminder of our own sinfulness and how through the mercy of our Lord we are lifted out of it and made clean. Through sin we separate ourself from the community and from Christ. We cannot assume that we will be forgiven, but rather we must pursue Christ and His mercy in order that we may be made clean.
Some claim that venial sin is not harmful and yet Saint Augustine instructs: “While he is in the flesh, man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call light: if you take for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession.”
If we truly love Christ then we would take all sin as being serious and find ways in which we can move ourself back towards that which was begun in us at the moment of our baptism. For sin hurts our relationship with the community and Christ. At our baptism all sin was washed away especially that of original sin. Through baptism our soul was in the words of the Psalmist made whiter then snow.
On February 14th the world comes to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day, but we as a Church also begin the Lenten season with our celebration of Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday as well as Good Friday we are called to fast and to abstain from meat. The season of Lent must be taken seriously because through it we set our sight upon the waters of baptism and our desire to renew each day that which was begun there.
If you have not already done so I implore you to begin to pray concerning this ever approaching Lenten season. What ways will you pray, fast, and give alms in order to put to death any disordered passions which have grown up within your soul? Also, let us not forget about the Sacrament of Confession. Not just making use of it during the penance services of Advent and Lent, but making use of it throughout our life. To run to it when in the state of mortal sin, to frequent it when in the state of venial sin, and to come to our Lord who through His mercy stretches out His hand, touches us, and states: “I do will it. Be made clean.”
