Daily Catholic Lectio. Sun, 11 Feb 2024. He was made clean!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sun, 11 February 2024

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

32nd World Day of the Sick

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1. Mark 1:40-45

He was made clean!

Every year, on February 11, on the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, we celebrate the World Day of the Sick. The message of Pope Francis for the 32nd World Day of the Sick is titled “It is not good that man should be alone: Healing the Sick by Healing Relationships.” Let us reflect on today’s readings in the light of Pope Francis’ message.

The first and third readings talk about ‘leprosy.’ A leper (leprosy-afflicted person) was considered half-dead. He suffered threefold suffering:

(a) Physical suffering: the disease will make his skin pale and white; the skin will lose its sensitivity. Fingers will deform. Sores will not heal but will gather pus.

(b) Emotional suffering: the leprosy-afflicted person will be quarantined or isolated from his family, friends, and relatives. He will suffer from loneliness and despair.

(c) Spiritual suffering: since God alone can heal leprosy (cf. Naaman), leprosy was considered a curse from God.

Any sick person undergoes these three types of suffering or alienation.

In the first reading, God instructs Moses and Aaron on diagnosing leprosy and the subsequent procedures to be followed. He also tells them how restoration must be done.

In the second reading, in the context of the dispute concerning the food offered to idols, Paul tells the Corinthian community not to cause scandal through one’s actions.

The gospel reading brings before us a healing miracle. Jesus cleanses a leper who comes to him. The miracle happens in three stages: (a) Jesus has compassion on the leper; (b) He touches him; and (c) He sends him to the priest to restore him to society.

In the first creation narrative, God sees everything as good, but in the second narrative, man’s loneliness is seen as not good. God creates the woman to be a partner to the man. The Good Samaritan in the parable identifies the lonely person – wounded and lying on the road – and restores him to society. The person is healed because of the Good Samaritan’s nearness.

What is the message for us?

(a) To have compassion for the sick and the suffering

Jesus’ action of touching is preceded by his compassion. It is because of compassion that the Good Samaritan breaks his journey.

(b) To show our togetherness

‘Touching’ is an act of showing others our togetherness. When we were born, there was someone to receive us. May we receive others so that they may have life.

(c) To restore the sick to society

The sick must be restored to society. To do that, we must restore them to our hearts; we must make them our pastoral priority.

The leper ‘was made clean’ because Jesus touched him.

God’s compassion sets us free from our sufferings (cf. Responsorial Psalm, Ps 32).

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy