Leprosy of the Soul

 Reflection on Today's Readings, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, February 14th, 2021
Texts: Lev. 13: 1-2.44-46; Ps. 32:1-2.5.11; 1Cor. 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45
Leprosy is a kind of diseases that  is contagious and as such, everyone  who  has it is  ostracised; he is  made to live in a special place. It is such a dreadful disease that no one prays to have it. In the  Old Testament, priest stood as a public officer who examined the person and determined whether  it was  a leprosy.  Once  it was  confirmed  by the priest and declared leprosy, the  person became unclean and  unfit to live  among people.
What is described in the first reading is the  leprosy of the body; there is leprosy of the  soul, which is sin. Sin separates  man from  God, it casts him out of  God's  presence. Prophet Isaiah says, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear" (59:2). Sin does not only separate  us from  God but also from our  brothers and sisters.  Hence, Pope Francis says,  " Sin severs: sin severs the relationship with God and it severs the relationship with brothers and sisters, relationships within the family, in society and in the community: sin always severs; it separates; it divides" (Wednesdayaudience, Jan. 3, 2018). Just as leprosy of the flesh is contagious,  so also sin is contagious; it has the ability to spread from one person to another. That is what is meant by this  proverb, "Walking in the company of dog makes sheep eats faeces".
We do everything  to avoid  the leprosy of the body, and pay little or no attention to the  leprosy of the soul. Leprosy of the soul is more dangerous than the  leprosy of the  flesh. This is because it denies us eternal life. Leprosy of the flesh only separates us in time  from our loved ones and so gives temporal suffering; leprosy of the soul separates us in eternity from our love ones and from God who is love. We have to  avoid leprosy of the soul.
Jesus is always willing to heal us. In today's  gospel reading, it is said, "A leper came  to Jesus begging him, and kneeling said  to him",  If you will, you can make me clean'. Moved with pity, he stretched his hand and touched him  and said to him , 'I will; be clean'". Touching the  leper is a  gesture of  love and  a way of sharing from the leprosy. This gesture really expresses what  incarnation is all about: For love of us, while we were still sinners, He came down from heaven to carry  our sins upon Himself. Incarnation is an expression of God's love and a way of sharing from man's  weakness. Jesus has come  down from heaven to heal and carry away our diseases; He has come to save us from sinning and to take the guilt of our sins upon Himself.
Jesus continues to encounter and heal us  in the  sacrament of reconciliation. It is at confessional that Jesus meets us, touches us, and heals our souls of leprosy, the  disease which  separates us from God and from our brothers and sisters.  Hence, through the sacrament of reconciliation, we are reconciled with God and with our brothers and sisters. This sacrament of God's mercy and love has suffered neglect from people for whom it is given. How often do we  fail to make use of this sacrament Jesus has given us to clean ourselves from leprosy!
St. Paul, in today's second reading  encourages us to do everything for the glory of God. He says, "Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the Church of God, jus as I try to please all men in everything  I do, not seeking my own advantage, but many, that they may be saved". When we do this we grow in the image of Christ, we grow in holiness. St. Paul adds, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ ". We stay away from leprosy of the soul when we imitate Christ. When we imitate Christ leprosy of the soul will no place in our souls.

Lord our God, we thank you for the gift of sacrament of reconciliation, grant us the grace to approach it and  be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, our  Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Fr.Andrew Olowomuke