Commentary

6th Sunday - B
Mark 1:40-45

A compassionate God

We have been reading continuously from chapter 1 of Mark for these 4 Sundays. In this chapter, Jesus appears on the scene, proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is at hand (v. 15). His teaching with authority, which astonishes the people (v. 22) and his power over diseases and evil spirits testify to his message. He heals many people in the first two days of his public ministry. In details, we learn that Jesus has driven an unclean spirit out of a man and cured Simon’s mother-in-law.

And now, Mark ends the chapter with the cleansing of a leper. This seems to be the climax of the miracles reported in this chapter. It is more than a healing. It is now common knowledge the plight of lepers in Jewish society at the time of Jesus. (And we hear it again today in the first reading taken from Leviticus). They are the outcasts of the outcasts, both socially and religiously. “Leprosy is thought to be like death.”[1] Jesus does more than a physical healing here. In restoring the man to health, Jesus also restores him to the community. He now lives again.

In this healing, we can learn from both the man suffering from leprosy and Jesus of whom Jesus is. He is the compassionate God.

In his action, the man acknowledges, even before he is cleansed that Jesus is no mere human. He comes to Jesus, kneels down, and begs. One does this only to God. Moreover, he professes his faith in Jesus’ divine power, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” And in healing him of his leprosy, Jesus shows his divinity. Only God can give life and raise people from the dead.[2]

In addition, Jesus shows himself the compassionate God. At the request of the man, he is “moved with pity.” His word could easily heal the man. Yet, Jesus reaches out and touches him. Here, Jesus “bridges the gap between the holy and the unclean.”[3] Only then does he speak to the man, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

Our God has come, so we, humans dead in sins, can live again.

---------------------------------------
[1] Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2002; p. 88.
[2] Ibid., p. 91.
[3] Ibid., p. 89.