I do choose

Saint John Paul II was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease as early as 1991.  Although this diagnosis was not revealed publicly until much later, it is significant that on May 13, 1992, His Holiness instituted the World Day of the Sick which has been celebrated annually since that time on February 11, the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Perhaps it is not by coincidence that the scripture passages assigned for this Sunday’s Mass speak of those who are sick and suffering.  In the first reading, taken from the Book of Leviticus, we hear the Lord’s voice setting guidelines for identifying the disease that we now know as leprosy.  The concern with setting up a quarantine for lepers was most probably aimed at ensuring that the disease would be contained and have little opportunity for spreading among the community.  However, the requirement for anyone who has the leprous disease to wear torn clothes, to let the hair on their heads be disheveled, and to cry out ‘Unclean!’ whenever anyone else came near (cf Lv 13:45) ultimately condemned those who suffered with this disease to living lives of loneliness, separated from family and friends, thus adding to their sense of rejection.

Saint John Paul was acutely aware of the isolation that illness imposes, but he was also determined to do everything he could to ensure that those who suffer never lost their voices.  Instead, he invited the entire world to pray for those who are sick.  The Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes was chosen for this special commemoration because many pilgrims who have visited the Shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes have reportedly been healed of their infirmities through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.

It takes great courage and faith to resist the temptation to feel isolated, especially when we are sick.  What courage it must have taken for the leper mentioned in today’s gospel to approach Jesus!  Against all established regulations, he came to Jesus ... knelt before him and begged: If you choose, you can make me clean (Mk 1:40).  When we are sick, we barely have the energy to get out of bed, yet the example of this leper shows us that we can all call out for help.  It doesn’t take too many words, but it does take faith.  Like the disciples in last week’s gospel, all we have to do is ask and Jesus will always respond: I do choose.  Be made clean! (Mk 1:41).

Jesus knew the established rules about lepers keeping to themselves, and he also knew that if a leper were ever to be cleansed, he was required to show himself to the priests and to make an offering as a sign of thanksgiving for the healing that had been received (cf Mk 1:44; Lv 14:1-32).  This is the reason why he asked the man to say nothing to anyone, but rather to fulfill the law. However, the man went out and began to proclaim it freely (Mk 1:45) because he was overjoyed.

Today, let us remember those of our families and friends who are sick.  Let us pray for them in hopes that they too will be cured of their illnesses.  Like the leper who was cured, may they one day also joyfully spread the news that God has worked wonders.