Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Mark 1:29-45
Mark, in contrast to the other synoptic gospels of Matthew and Luke, does not begin to tell the story of Jesus with a recounting of details of Jesus’ birth or early childhood. Instead, Mark’s gospel begins in chapter 1by introducing his audience to a Jesus who is already an adult and acts as a compassionate, powerful healer. In the case of healing the leper Jesus’ actions can be viewed as counter cultural. In the tradition of the Hebrew Bible leprosy was seen as a form of spiritual and physical pollution. Individuals who suffered from this condition were generally isolated from their community and family. In this case, Jesus is “moved with pity” when a leper humbly approaches him to ask that he be cleansed or healed by Jesus. Jesus ignores the social mores of his day and reaches out and touches the leper, something that would have been shocking to many at that time. As a result of this compassionate touch the leper was reported to be instantly healed.
Who are the outcasts or marginalized of today who many might find difficult to care for or love? How would we react to requests for help or assistance from some of the marginalized of our day?
-Terry Rothwell
No comments:
Post a Comment