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Image: Eustache Le Sueur, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus stretches out His hand — as God, by His outstretched arm, performed mighty deeds to save the Israelites.

Made cleanBy Scott Hahn

In the Old Testament, leprosy is depicted as punishment for disobedience of God’s commands (see Numbers 12:12–15; 2 Kings 5:27; 15:5).

Considered “unclean” — unfit to worship or live with the Israelites, lepers are considered “stillborn,” the living dead (see Numbers 12:12). Indeed, the requirements imposed on lepers in today’s First Reading — rent garments, shaven head, covered beard — are signs of death, penance, and mourning (see Leviticus 10:6; Ezekiel 24:17).

So, there’s more to the story in today’s Gospel than a miraculous healing.

When Elisha, invoking God’s name, healed the leper, Naaman, it proved there was a prophet in Israel (see 2 Kings 5:8). Today’s healing reveals Jesus as far more than a great prophet — He is God visiting His people (see Luke 7:16).

Only God can cure leprosy and cleanse from sin (see 2 Kings 5:7), and only God has the power to bring about what He wills (see Isaiah 55:11; Wisdom 12:18).

The Gospel scene has an almost sacramental quality about it.

Jesus stretches out His hand — as God, by His outstretched arm, performed mighty deeds to save the Israelites (see Exo-dus 14:6; Acts 4:30). His ritual sign is accompanied by a divine word (“Be made clean”). And, like God’s word in creation (“Let there be”), Jesus’ word “does” what He commands (see Psalm 33:9).

The same thing happens when we show ourselves to the priest in the sacrament of penance. On our knees like the leper, we confess our sins to the Lord, as we sing in today’s Psalm. And through the outstretched arm and divine word spoken by His priest, the Lord takes away the guilt of our sin.

Like the leper we should rejoice in the Lord and spread the good news of His mercy. We should testify to our healing by living changed lives. As Paul says in today’s Epistle, we should do even the littlest things for the glory of God and that others may be saved.

Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus,

I believe that You

are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Image: Byzantinischer Mosaizist des 12. Jahrhunderts / Public domain

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARYFamiliarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.1. Make the Sign of the Cross.2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed.3. On the first bead, say an Our Father.4. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.5. Say the Glory Be6. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.7. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.(After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.)8. After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this dialogue and prayer:

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.R. That we may be made worthy of the prom-ises of Christ.Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son,by his life, Death, and Resurrection,has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,grant, we beseech thee,that while meditating on these mysteriesof the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,we may imitate what they containand obtain what they promise,through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

(A prayer to St. Joseph may also follow.) Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.

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