Situated between the last two great feasts of the Christmas season: the feast of the Epiphany, last Sunday, and the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, our Gospel reading today reveals something about the Lord, while at the same time prepares us for the feast of the baptism this Sunday. What does the healing of the leper reveal about Jesus?
The healing of the leper reveals that God the Holy One, does not recoil from the sinner, but draws near, “he does wish to make us clean”. Jesus is the Word that brings salvation, that hand God extends even to the most grievous sinner. Lepers were treated as the most cursed of men, and Jesus embracing and healing the leper shows that the heart of God desires to free man from the curse that oppresses him. There is no sin so heinous that the Lord will not gladly forgive us, make us clean, when we come to him with a repentant heart.
People with leprosy were driven out of their community—alienated from their families—because of their contagious, disfiguring disease. Jesus embraces the leper and enables him to be reconciled and rejoined to His family and community.
Today’s reading prepares us to celebrate the Lord’s Baptism this weekend, as the final feast of the Christmas season. The babe born in Bethlehem gives us new birth in the waters of Baptism. The cure for the leprosy of sin, the remedy for death itself, is found in those waters. In baptism, sinful man, alienated from God, is washed of sin, reconciled to God, and brought into the new communion of the Church.
As we come to the end of the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of our Savior, the Church urges us to consider our baptism, in which we received new life in Christ, that we may be ever more faithful to Him, and live out our baptismal call with renewed fervor and conviction for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
The healing of the leper reveals that God the Holy One, does not recoil from the sinner, but draws near, “he does wish to make us clean”. Jesus is the Word that brings salvation, that hand God extends even to the most grievous sinner. Lepers were treated as the most cursed of men, and Jesus embracing and healing the leper shows that the heart of God desires to free man from the curse that oppresses him. There is no sin so heinous that the Lord will not gladly forgive us, make us clean, when we come to him with a repentant heart.
People with leprosy were driven out of their community—alienated from their families—because of their contagious, disfiguring disease. Jesus embraces the leper and enables him to be reconciled and rejoined to His family and community.
Today’s reading prepares us to celebrate the Lord’s Baptism this weekend, as the final feast of the Christmas season. The babe born in Bethlehem gives us new birth in the waters of Baptism. The cure for the leprosy of sin, the remedy for death itself, is found in those waters. In baptism, sinful man, alienated from God, is washed of sin, reconciled to God, and brought into the new communion of the Church.
As we come to the end of the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of our Savior, the Church urges us to consider our baptism, in which we received new life in Christ, that we may be ever more faithful to Him, and live out our baptismal call with renewed fervor and conviction for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For Pope Francis and all the clergy: that they will draw
many to the mystery of baptism and inspire the faithful to live their baptismal
promises with great devotion.
For leaders of nations: that they will govern with virtue
and integrity, helping to build society in conformity with the teachings of
Christ.
For non-believers and for those preparing for baptism: that
they may be open to the grace of conversion and the joy of the followers of
Christ.
For the sick, suffering, persecuted, and underemployed, and
all those facing hardships.
For all those who have died, for all the poor souls in
purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and
for X, for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your
merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the
supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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