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Our Gospel this Sunday is the story of Jesus healing a leper.  There are two things deserving comment in regard to this Gospel.  First, when the leper came to Jesus and begged him to heal him, we are told that Jesus: “moved with pity, stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’”    It is very significant that Jesus actually touched the leper.  Jesus knew that lepers lived lives of loneliness and isolation. By touching the leper Jesus not only cured him of his leprosy, but shared human contact with him.  As a result not only was the leper cured, but he was also healed of his isolation and loneliness when Jesus touched him and brought back into the community.   

The second thing that deserves comment in this Gospel is Jesus’ words to the leper:  “See that you tell no one anything.”  Despite Jesus words, though, we are told:  “The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.”   I suspect the reason for this was not deliberate disobedience on the part of the leper, but rather because he simply couldn’t contain his joy and happiness, and needed to share it.    

Our first reading this Sunday is from the Book of Leviticus.  It provides background information about how lepers were to be treated.   “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’”

Our second reading this weekend is from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.  In it Paul urges the Corinthians to “do everything for the glory of God.”  

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1.  I believe there is a difference between a cure and a healing.   The leper in the Gospel was cured of his leprosy, but also was healed of his isolation and loneliness.   When have you experienced God’s healing presence in your life?  
2. Have you ever had good news that you just couldn’t keep to yourself?  
3. How do you do something for the glory of God?