Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
We have arrived at the last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Lent begins. This is not the end of Ordinary Time. It will resume after the Easter season is over. It’s interesting how this particular Gospel reading comes up right before Lent. Here we have a leper that comes to Jesus, kneels before Him, and begs to be made clean (Mk 1:40-45).
The leper obviously recognizes that Jesus can heal him. There is no doubt in the leper’s mind. The leper doesn’t say, “Perhaps you can make me clean.” No, he is very definite, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” The leper has full confidence that Jesus can do this. In the Old Testament, the Israelites believed that only God had the ability to make a leper clean. So, the request of the leper for Jesus to make him clean shows that the leper believed that Jesus was more than just a mere human. The leper is pleading to the mercy of Jesus, hoping that it will be Jesus’ will, or desire, to make him clean.
We know from other Scripture passages that Jesus was impressed when someone had a strong faith in Him (see Mt 8:5-13). Jesus can see by someone’s actions and by their words when that person has a strong faith. Jesus can also look into the heart of someone to determine if that person has faith. Likewise, Jesus can detect when someone is doubtful or has little faith. Fortunately for this leper, he did have great faith, and he did believe that Jesus could make him clean. Jesus immediately says, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leper was made clean. He no longer had leprosy.
Why is this Gospel reading appropriate to have just before the beginning of Lent? The leper can easily represent us. Please don’t be offended by this statement. As we know, leprosy is a disease that slowly eats away the skin. A person with leprosy becomes disfigured. It’s contagious. They also become outcasts and are no longer accepted to be in the community as we heard in the first reading (Lev 13:1-1, 44-46). This type of disease can easily represent the effect of sin on our souls. Perhaps it’s a good thing that we cannot see our souls. Many of us would be shocked by how sin disfigures our souls. Unforgiven sin affects our souls much like leprosy affects the skin. Our souls can be permanently disfigured by sin if we do not seek God’s forgiveness and healing. The book of the prophet Daniel alludes to this (see Dan 12:2). “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake (talking about the resurrection); some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.” Those who are unrepentant and do not seek forgiveness will remain permanently disfigured by their sin for eternity. This Gospel reading is appropriate because Lent is a time to acknowledge our sins and to seek God’s forgiveness and healing. Like the leper in our Gospel reading we come before the Lord, kneel before Him, and ask to be made clean. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be seen here. This is what takes place in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The penitent person comes before the priest. We know that the priest is the instrument through which Jesus Himself forgives sin. The penitent person acknowledges that he or she is a sinner, and confesses their sins, “Bless me father, for I have sinned . . . These are my sins.” These are the sins which disfigure the soul. With humbleness we ask the priest, who is the representative of Christ, to forgive our sins and grant us absolution. Hopefully, we confess to a priest who is merciful, for we know that Jesus is merciful. The priest grants absolution. The penitent person has now had his or her soul washed clean of sin. It’s as if Jesus had said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” That person’s soul has been brought back to its original state of purity that it enjoyed right after receiving the sacrament of baptism. The soul no longer is disfigured, but it shines with the beauty that God intended it to shine.
Sin also causes division within the community. Our Church teaches this (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1443-1446). Sin is never between just the person and God. It also affects the community. Being judgmental, gossiping, being impatient and losing our temper, swearing, having unkind thoughts, impure thoughts, etc. affect not only the sinner but have the ability to affect the Body of Christ as well. Our sins can cause damage in relationships.
Mortal sin is a complete separation from God (CCC 1861). The person is not just separated from God but also separated from the Body of Christ. In a way, the sinner is an outcast from the Body of Christ much like the leper was an outcast from the community. If we die in mortal sin then we are completely separated from God for eternity, and obviously, this includes separating us forever from our family and friends too. Jesus does not want this to happen. The sacrament of reconciliation also brings unity. The penitent person who has been absolved of their sins is now in communion with God once again. We call this “being in a state of grace.” The person has now also been restored to communion with the Body of Christ. This is what happened to the leper. He was cleansed and brought back into the community. He was no longer an outcast, now he could interact with his family and friends.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is nothing to fear. I know that many people get nervous just before they step into the confessional. If you are too nervous, go behind the screen so that the priest cannot see you and there is some separation between you and the priest. If you want, disguise your voice so that the priest won’t recognize who is behind the screen. Many people tend to go blank after they enter the confessional. If it helps, write down beforehand what you want to confess. Many people list their sins on their cell phones now. There is nothing wrong with writing down your sins. This way if you happen to go blank you can refer to your list to help you remember.
Most of all, trust that Jesus is there in the confessional too. Jesus is the One that inspired your heart to come to Confession. Jesus is the One who desires to offer you His forgiveness and bring you healing. Jesus can see a soul that has been disfigured by sin, and He wants to heal that soul and bring it back to its original holiness and beauty. Hopefully during this Lenten season many will seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation and say, “Jesus, if you wish, you can make me clean.” And with a humble heart and with great faith we trust that Jesus will respond to each one of us, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
