Thursday January 15th: Challenging the status quo

“If you want to, you can cure me.”

Mark 1: 40-45

In Jesus’ time, those suffering from leprosy were forced to live on the outskirts of town, ostracized by society, and scorned by all. This leper must have heard about Jesus and, breaking all the Mosaic rules governing lepers, he threw himself at Jesus’ feet, begging for a cure. Had he stayed within the confines of what was allowed, he might never have met Jesus. Emboldened, he challenged Jesus: “If you want to, you can cure me.” By reaching out, touching, and curing him, Jesus showed that compassion and empathy far outweighed strict observance of the law.

​Often, we are diseased like the leper, ostracized and lost, but unlike him, we may not be willing to break through the barriers that oppress us. We are not prepared to be vulnerable, to throw ourselves at one another’s feet and ask for help. Consequently, we miss out on the joy that comes with healing, the joy of hearing the answer to our plea: “Of course I want to. Be cured.”