1/8/2015 – Friday after Epiphany – Luke 5:12-16

       Today's Gospel of Jesus' healing of a leper is noteworthy for many reasons.  The courage and faith of the leper who approaches Jesus is such a great example for us.   Then, when we see the respectful and compassionate manner in which Jesus responds to the leper, we think about how in the Year of Mercy, we are all called to be merciful in the way that the Father is mercy, in the way Jesus and Mary exemplify mercy in their own ways on so many different occasions.  Finally, Jesus has the courage to cure the leper, even though Jesus dreaded the inevitable impact when word of this cure would spread throughout the community. 

        It is remarkable that Jesus touched this man in order to heal him, even though Jewish law deemed all lepers untouchable and unclean.   In Ancient Israel, a leper normally would have been stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near anyone, let alone a respected rabbi or Jewish teacher like Jesus. 

         Eleven centuries after Jesus' encounter with the leper, a significant encounter that took place between St. Francis of Assisi and a leper he met on a road.  Even though this leper brought about trepidation and fear in the eyes of young Francis, he dismounted his horse, gave the leper a kiss on his hand, & left him some money.  This encounter led Francis to a remarkable transformation of heart and to found a religious order that still has such a profound presence in our world today.

         Centuries after Francis lived, Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina, spent a great deal of her life helping the poor.  While studying in Argentina one summer, I spoke with some people who actually had met Eva Peron.  No matter how dirty or sick the poor people were that she encountered, Evita always embraced them and kissed them, knowing how much this sign of love and compassion meant to them.  Often times, through our human physical touch and acts of compassion and mercy, we can communicate the love of God in ways greater than words can express. 

       The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ.  The Holy Spirit calls out to us to reach out to others with compassion and care, especially those who have been mistreated and rejected in society.  May the love of God impel us to do as Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi and Eva Peron did: to love all, to touch the untouchable, to forgive the seemingly unforgivable.  May we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with the love & compassion of Christ for others.