The first issue to deal with in today’s first reading (LV 13) is the meaning and context of the phrase “shall keep his garments rent.” In Biblical terms, to “rent” is to tear or rip, as in a sign of mourning or sinfulness. When added to "The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, 'Unclean, unclean!' As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp—we see the Gospel today set up to explain the healing power of Jesus in the here and now.

Nationally known scripture scholars offering commentaries on this passage would like us to
consider the type of power Jesus is illustrating with the man suffering from leprosy. In Mark’s Gospel, 1:40-45, ancient rabbis would state that healing leprosy is as difficult as raising the dead. But Jesus crosses the boundaries of public health and culture to heal. His healing power takes place in the “here and now” and makes a transformative stance in not just the life of leper but in the life of a community. We are told that a leper came to Jesus and knelt down and asked Him "If you wish, you can make me clean."  moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched
him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. But there is more to this story than a singular healing.

One scripture scholar noted that in this gospel story Jesus’ power is present now—“it is at the heart of who Jesus is.” The act of healing this leper is a transformative act: an act that is meaning-filled, power-filled and grace-filled. As Jesus crossed the boundaries of ritual and culture—after all, the ancient people believed that this leper should have been an outcast as he was unclean, Jesus in this healing act does something that other “healers” were unable to do. Many offered nothing more than a fond memory of something past or a hopeful promise of
something to come; but Jesus actually heals—the now has been transformed.

How does this gospel healing story apply to the practice of our faith today? It should not be a
surprise to anyone that the Catholic Church sees herself throughout history as the continuation of Jesus Christ’s mission, ministry, healing presence, grace-filled blessings and teaching authority in our time and place. As the Apostolic Church of Christ, when He founded the Church He handed over to her The seven Sacraments which He gave to the Church to protect, defend and pass on to all generations.

It is in the Eucharistic meal that we are nourished in body and soul. It is in the Sacraments of
Baptism and Confirmation that we are grace-filled and strengthened for the Christian journey. It is in the healing of sins, that we are forgiven. It is in marriage and holy orders that we are given the grace of love, compassion and mutual respect to see the bigger picture of life. And it is the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick that we are healed and made one with God. Christ created these sacraments because He knew that we need them. It is in our full participation in the Sacramental Life of the Church that we receive the grace God intends for us to use to
become the most excellent person we can be. To be transformed in the here and now so that we will best serve Him in this life and so be prepared for His life eternal. Shall we be like Jesus and not be oft put by cultural boundaries—and step into the grace-filled and transforming moment in which we find ourselves and our need?