The Leper and Obedience to the Lord: Lessons For Us!

The Leper and Obedience to the Lord: Lessons For Us!

S till in the first chapter of St. Mark’s Gospel, it is marked by the roar of the lion.

St. Mark’s Gospel, whose symbolism is the lion, is in part because the lion has a thirst for the blood of the heart. St. Mark shows the Lord moving dramatically and swiftly. In the reading of Jesus willing the leper to be clean, there are several lessons and is important for us as well.

In this reading, the leper first comes to Jesus. At the time, lepers had to remain away from all and even announce their uncleanness if anyone gets too close. The leper recognizes something about Jesus and goes to Jesus, even though according to worldly terms, he should not approach. As he approaches the Lord, he says something powerful. Lord, if you will it, you can make me clean. Note the faith and confidence. It is not a sense of desperation. It is faith. But what we hear next is also shocking.

Jesus does not simply say … I do will it. Jesus reaches out and touches this man. Touching a leper is not permitted. Touching a leper risks the very high chance of contracting and spreading this disease. Yet, Jesus touches the unclean. He doesn’t just clean the man, but He touches him as well. What does this tell us today?

Jesus says to us that there is nothing within us that can make Jesus unclean. There is nothing about you that places Me at risk. There is nothing in this world that Jesus must protect Himself. The law says not to touch, but Jesus is not afraid to do so.

Obedience to the Lord

If the reading ended there with the cleansing, we would have a mediation piece. However, there is more to this reading. Do not say anything to anyone, but go perform the offering. Show yourself to the priest. Reestablish yourself as a healthy member of the community. The Lord says one thing, and yet the man does the opposite. The leper did not do what the Lord said after he was made clean. He was not obedient.

Listen to what obedience means for us in this example. Hear this audio and listen to the lessons for us! Listen to the Lord’s Proclamation. Hear how this obedience lesson impacts the Gospel and impacts our own spiritual life.