photo #7910942

Leprosy was and is a terrible condition. In ancient times a person with any open sore was suspected of having leprosy and had to remain outside the camp – trying to survive as best he or she could, avoiding other people. In order to be able to rejoin the community, a person whose sores had healed needed to show him/herself to the priest as proof of the healing. After Jesus heals the leper he tells him to go show himself to the priest so that he may be able to rejoin the community. He also tells him not to tell others how he was healed – an impossible task for the man who can’t wait to spread the news St. Paul tells us that everything he does is for the spread of the gospel and for the glory of God – not himself. Here is where he is imitating Jesus, by giving credit to the Father. It can be easy for someone who has been gifted by God with beauty, intelligence, success, educational opportunities, wealth, athletic ability, etc. to take credit for his or her achievements. However, these are gifts given by God and we are given gifts so that we may use them to build up the kingdom, not to build up ourselves. As imitators of Christ, we are called to use the gifts we have been given wisely and with gratitude. As St. Paul says, do everything for the glory of God, and not for our own benefit, but so that others will be led to Christ by our example and thereby know the joy of salvation.Prayer: Heavenly Father, we have received so much from you, so many gifts and blessings. Let us use these gifts to proclaim the Good News in joy to all we meet. Amen.