(Please read the Scripture passages first, before the homily.)
When God comes among us, God carries our burdens. This is a God-thing. When we say, “If you want to, Jesus, you can make me clean, or forgive my sins, or heal me of my wounds, or identify with my disgrace and dirtiness,” Jesus always answers, “I do will it.”
What were the consequences of Jesus’ touching the leper? According to the custom, Jesus could not go into towns or populated areas. He had to remain in deserted places. Luke did not tell us this directly, but he did report that the people went out to listen to Jesus and that Jesus withdrew to deserted places to pray.
There were three consequences to what Jesus did. The report that he had touched a leper was broadcast around. People flocked to hear Jesus speak. Jesus found it necessary to go to deserted places for prayer.
If we find this confusing, then we are in company with Jesus as he touched, healed and preached. We do not know what the Lord said in those deserted places when he prayed. We can readily imagine that he praised God and glorified God. Can we as readily imagine that he was also asking God about this strange power to heal and understand that he was experiencing? We do not know, but we do know that Jesus had to grow in wisdom, age and grace before God and the people. We can, therefore, expect Jesus to question God about his power to heal and save. We probably would consult God ourselves, if we had that same power.
We have this gospel passage today because it reveals God’s presence among us. It is a story of how God was revealed through the healing, preaching and praying activity of Jesus. This is what all the Gospel passages used in the week after Epiphany show us.
We, who hear, study, read or reflect on this passage, have the same commission that Jesus had. In fact, it is Jesus who is still present and active in the world, through us. This is the meaning of our baptism unto Christ. Perhaps we should have greater confidence that we can touch the untouchables of our world, heal their wounds and pray to God in deserted places. We should have such confidence because Jesus is present in our world through us by our baptism in his life.
We should go, then, from here to embrace lepers with masks and frequently-washed hands, and with prayer, to bring God’s presence to those in need. Somehow, in this way, God is among people as we touch the leprosy, the dirtiness, the sinfulness of the world, touching the unclean and healing the wounds of others.