Leprosy: guilty by association

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32 I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

In the Old Testament, we encounter leprosy.  It was a disease that was quite common.  It began as a skin discoloration and could quickly progress to affect the limbs, eyes, skin, etc. 

It was not a pretty disease as it often disfigured the one who carried it.  

Those who had leprosy were forced to live on the outskirts of the community separated from family and friends.  They also had to separate themselves.  They needed to be recognizable.  Thus, they were told to wear clothes that were torn, hair that was disheveled, and a beard that was unkept.  They were also ordered to warn people when they came near. Thus, they would cry out, "unclean, unclean!"

They were outcast, homeless, ostracized, and dying.  They were the true untouchables.

Their state in life was one of complete and absolute humiliation. 

Anyone who came near a leper was acting in deviance.  Anyone who touched a leper, was considered to be unclean themselves until proven otherwise.  They were guilty by association. They were forced to live outside the community until they were not a threat. 

Jesus in the gospel, chooses to be guilty by association.  Not only does he come near a  leper, but he touches him.  In doing so he chooses to make himself unclean.  This is why he is forced to live on the outskirts of the camp.  He identifies with the outcast by becoming one himself.

He is guilty by association.  In doing so, he enables the leper to experience his true dignity and humanity. 

Jesus risked everything so that love might win.

As we ponder the gospel today and hear St. Paul's words, "be imitators of me as I am Christ," we must ask the following:

Who are the untouchables today?  Who do we keep at arms length?  Who are the outcast in our society and in our lives?  Who do we refuse to associate with?  Who do we avoid?

These are the people God invites us to interact with.  Here the opportunity to live faith filled lives beckon at us.  Here we shall learn how to imitate Christ.

Will we be guilty by association and truly live a faith filled existence allowing love and human dignity to conquer our prejudice and fear?

In the end God will ask whether we have been guilty by association, "What you have done to the least of my brothers you have done unto me." (Mt 25)