6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B
February 11, 2024 8:30 and 11am
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton
The First Two Steps
Probably most of us know something about Twelve-Step programs.
These programs are very helpful in dealing with alcoholism or addiction to other substances and behaviors. Today’s gospel about the healing of the leper has led me to recall the first two steps of a Twelve-Step program.
Step One – We admit that we are powerless – and that’s the key word – powerless over alcohol or whatever the habit or addiction is. And Step Two – We admit our need for a Higher Power, a Power greater than ourselves to restore us.
The Leper’s Two Steps
In today’s gospel, the leper knows that he is powerless. There is nothing he can do about his physical disease.
It was disfiguring and repulsive, and there was no known cure. And because of this, this man is declared “unclean.”
He has to dress in shabby clothes and live alone, staying away from anyone else. And he even has to shout out “Unclean” to warn anyone who would come near him.
He is also ostracized from the temple or synagogue. The leprosy is seen as making him unclean even to God.
So, imagine how he feels: lonely, abandoned, unworthy, worthless, unwanted. That was his situation, and he knows that he is powerless to do anything about it.
So, that’s step one: admitting powerlessness. But then, this leper admits his need for a Higher Power.
He dares to approach Jesus. He sees God acting in some way in Jesus.
So, he says to Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” “If you wish” – so he believes that Jesus has the power, the higher power, and can heal him of this awful disease and its effects.
And, of course, Jesus does not hesitate. In fact, he even touches the man as he says, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
Amazingly, Jesus himself is not made unclean by touching the man – that’s what the religious law stated. Instead, it is the man who is made clean by Jesus and his touch and power.
Our Two Steps
Now, I wonder if all of us are in some way in the postion of this leper and need to take these two steps.
First, we need to admit our powerlessness. This isn’t easy because most of us naturally like to have power.
We want to have the power to live independently and take care of ourselves. But there usually comes a point when we realize that ultimately, we are not in control and we are powerless.
Maybe it is a personal sickness or the death of a loved one or the break-up of a relationship. Or maybe it is a habit, not necessarily an addiction to a substance, but maybe a bad temper or over-eating or sexual infidelity or being unable to forgive someone.
We come to admit that we cannot manage this. We admit that we are spiritually powerless.
Ultimately, in the long run, this will be true of all of us. So, the sooner we admit our spiritual powerlessness, the better.
And that takes us to the second step. We turn to our Higher Power.
This means God, Jesus. We also say, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Only God, only Jesus can do this for us. Only God, only Jesus can make us whole and healthy spiritually.
So, we approach Jesus in the Penitential Prayer at the beginning of Mass or in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In Reconciliation or confession, there is something transforming in saying that I am powerless over something and then hearing the words of absolution.
In effect, it is Jesus saying, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And we leave feeling refreshed, renewed, and empowered.
And again, before we receive Eucharist here at Mass, we say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Well, the Lord has said the word.
Words like “I call you my friends” or “Come to me, all you who are burdened, and I will refresh you.” God has spoken the word, and now we are worthy.
We are made clean. And we are empowered by the Eucharist.
Conclusion
So, the story of the leper is one of admitting his powerlessness and seeking a Higher Power, God, Jesus.
It is also our story. Jesus will respond to us just as he does to the leper.
