Scripture Study for
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Leviticus 13:1–2, 44–46 / Psalm 32:7 / 1 Corinthians 10:31 — 11:1 / Mark 1:40–45
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
Leprosy included a wide variety of chronic skin diseases. Those with skin ailments were deemed unclean and were banished from the community. The real tragedy of leprosy was less the physical discomfort than the social estrangement and the religious alienation that resulted. Probably because such social and religious alienation was so severe, it was believed that the condition was brought on by some kind of sin. When the conditions that made a person unclean no longer held, it was necessary for the person to undergo some rite of purification before being readmitted into the community. This explains why a priest was involved.
Paul argues that the gospel is demanding enough; people do not need to be burdened with obligations that are extraneous to its message. He insists that neither food laws nor the assertion of one’s freedom should be the governing principle in the lives of Christians. The glory of God and sensitivity to others should be the driving force. “Avoid giving offense” is the policy he advocates. The passage ends with a final admonition: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Paul indeed adapted himself to the needs of others, and he did this after the example of Christ. The Corinthians are exhorted to follow Paul, who followed Christ.
The man in the Gospel story was suffering from the kind of skin ailment referred to in the first reading. Despite his condition, he boldly approached Jesus and begged to be made clean. Jesus was moved with pity. He knew that if he touched an unclean man he would become ritually unclean as well. However, his touch actually healed the man and restored him to the state of ritual purity. Jesus then sent him off to the priest for verification of the healing. Once again, the news of his marvelous power causes him to choose the seclusion of solitary places rather than the press of the crowd and their misunderstanding of his mission.