Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel we find Jesus moved with pity after encountering a leper in the street. Leprosy was a living death sentence. The afflicted person was isolated from family and members of the community. Because they were highly contagious, lepers had to shout “Unclean!” wherever they went. Not only did Jesus approach the leper but he touched him, spoke to him, and gave him his freedom to be fully human again. However, Jesus’ next move can be a bit puzzling. “Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Why was Jesus so worried that people would find out about his healings and miracles?
Perhaps we can gain some insight from the first reading from Samuel. The passage details the battle of Aphek between the Israelites and Philistines. The Philistines defeated the Israelites in battle, captured the Ark of the Covenant, and left God’s chosen people feeling abandoned and alone. After so many years suffering under foreign rule, it is not surprising that the Israelites were looking for a military leader, in the line of David, who would come in and free them from domination. Throughout His ministry, Jesus was quiet about his Messianic mission. Perhaps this is why Jesus was so careful to keep his identity hidden after he cleansed the leper. If his identity as the Messiah was revealed too soon, it would encourage the misguided “military savior” expectation.
Jesus’ death and resurrection make it clear that the Messiah was not a warrior, but rather a suffering servant. The vast majority who heard of Jesus' miracles betrayed Him in the end because they thought he didn't perform the one miracle they wanted which was freedom from Roman rule. However, Jesus was not defeated in death. Rather, He became the reigning king over all powers of all ages.
How do we allow Jesus to come to us in our lives today? Are we like the leper, open to the surprising and miraculous ways God is at work? Or do we find ourselves as members of the crowd shouting “Release Barabbas!” because this is not the Christ we expected. God invites us to be witnesses to the truth of His love, goodness, and mercy. Let us open our hearts and be aware of great things that have been done for us and give gratitude for them in our prayer.
-Jessica Gabrielli