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Reflections in Mark’s Gospel. Monday April 20th 2020. Alan Neale. Trinity Church, Newport, RI

Mark Chapter One
40 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44 saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

It is painfully ironic to consider the story of the leper in the context of covid-19 and strict demands for physical distancing.
Lepers in the time of Jesus were definitely “untouchables” and the required bell that they wore alerted so-called healthy and normal people to run for cover and… physical distancing.
As with so many illnesses in Jesus’ time leprosy was generally considered the cause of sin either by the one who suffered or her/his family. The physical and often gross imperfections were disdained by all and so the leper not only suffered the pain of the sickness, but also separation from the religious community and physical isolation/social distancing from the community in general.
There is something impressive, powerful, pertinent in the leper’s hope that his situation could change. We hear too often that nothing changes, neither people nor situations but there is, in the presence of Jesus, a re-lighting of a faintly burning hope… there is, in the presence, of Jesus, the gradual reconstruction of a bruised reed (read Isaiah 42:3).
And so he dares to approach Jesus; he risks rebuke, dismissal, mockery… he begs and kneels, clearly still keeping his distance.
Verse 41 we read that Jesus was moved with pity (some texts say “with anger”). The Greek word for “moved” suggests the most profound, the most utter, the most compulsive experience referring even to the most deep of inward parts connoting the seat of the affections. For Jesus this action is not merely one executed en passant… it becomes, at that moment, the focus of Jesus’ attention, the summation of Jesus’ ministry. Friends, please wonder at this staggering truth… that somehow, in the economy of God, you and I are the beneficiaries, the recipients, the ones addressed in the moment by our Shepherd Lord.
As I said, some texts write that Jesus was moved with anger… there is indeed a righteous, holy, just anger that brooks at social injustice and the social indifference to the needy.
But whether it be pity or anger or both, this moved Jesus to stretch out his arm and… touch the untouchable. The Greek word for “touch” suggests a movement with intention to change and a movement that will not be easily withdrawn. I know we’re wary of people who seemed “touched” but surely you and I yearn, ache, crave for this “touch”of Jesus that will not only reinstate connection, not only bring about change but will also never, not never, be withdrawn. “Behold, I am with you always… even to the end of time.” “Emmanuel – God is with us.”
“Immediately” (here we go again with Mark’s pulsating, ever-moving prose) immediately he is healed, made clean and told (sternly told) to submit to the religious authorities; a sort of covid-19/leprosy test to declare him “clean” and negative of disease.
It seems to me that Jesus vainly hopes that the man will keep quiet about his healing but then Jesus is always hoping that he will attract not by signs and wonders but by love and authenticity.
Looking ahead to the glorious day when we worship together in church, I suspect (I hope and pray) that many will join us to give thanks… grateful, rescued, relieved people coming to “Jesus from every quarter.” Let’s pray we are ready to receive them.