The man in today’s Gospel scene takes a tremendous risk by approaching Jesus. He is a leper and so considered unclean. The appropriate response when someone was coming into his general vicinity was to give as wide a berth as possible, if not remove themselves from view, or to make themselves known to be unclean to any passerby.

This state of uncleanness was not a mere sense of hygiene. This was considered ritual impurity. So anyone touching or being touched by a leper would be considered unclean. For this reason, lepers were ostracized from family, friends, and the larger community socially as well as being forbidden to worship. This is a horrific state to find oneself in, for as human beings we are social beings who want to belong, to be a part of, and to be loved.

The leper cast aside all social norms and fell prostrate before Jesus and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40)). Jesus knew full well the social norms, and it is very telling that not only did Jesus heal the man, but he did so by placing his hand on the man. He could have easily said, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41), without touching him and the man would have been healed. There are Gospel accounts of Jesus doing just that.

Jesus says more in his willingness to touch the leper than he does even with words of healing. He does not keep him at a distance but instead places himself on the same level as the man. Neither does Jesus become unclean, but the man becomes clean and the tremendous stigma of him having to be separated from the human touch is removed. With that simple touch, Jesus comes close and in doing so, the man will no longer be kept at arm’s length but be restored to his community and the opportunity for community again. “Jesus is not dismayed, scandalized, or contaminated by any human defilement. He willingly removes it by the power of his holiness, restoring our communion with others, making us fully qualified to enter God’s presence” (Healy, 54).

Jesus continues to come close to all of us. He has become human so that we can see the face of God, feel the tenderness of his touch, and be understood when no one else can or is willing to do so. Jesus has come close so that we know that we are not alone, that we are loved more than we can ever imagine, more than we can ever mess up, more than our worst mistake, or sin. Jesus has come close so we can experience his love and care. Having received this wonderful gift, may we too be moved with compassion to help others in need.

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Photo: God comes close in many ways.

Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

Link for the Mass readings for Thursday, January 15, 2025