A Loving Touch

February 11, 2024

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 1: 40-45

Today’s Gospel tells the familiar story of Jesus healing the leper. As usual, I will be tempted to look around for the lepers in my life. But a thought occurred to me: maybe it’s me who’s the leper.

I am a leper because my politics differ from others in my life. They won’t talk to me or invite me to their parties. If I am included, I am expected to stay quiet, thereby announcing I am “unclean.” Often, I question if my beliefs are legitimate or not. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper because my skin is the wrong color in most places. People stare at me and mutter, “why is that person here?” Most times, they just turn their heads and won’t even look at me at all. It’s the angry looks that upset me the most. Often, I question my own humanity. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper because of my income, or lack of it. I cannot afford new clothes or a shiny car. I have to work two or three jobs just to have enough to pay my rent and to have something to eat. Sometimes I stand on a street corner with a sign. Most cars just drive on by. Most heads turn away as they pass. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper. I have a physical limitation with my body and appearance. It’s not my fault, but people stare or look uncomfortable. Children point their fingers at me. I’ve learned to overcome my imperfections, but I can’t overcome people’s opinions. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper because of my lifestyle. I want to be true to who I know I am, but the world does not want to understand. Or accept. I get laughed at, shunned, and avoided. Even my family does not want me to come around. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper. I have nowhere to live. I cannot get a job because I do not have a phone or an address. But I cannot get a phone unless I have a job to earn money. I cannot pay rent without a job to earn money to pay the rent. I am hungry all the time. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper because I prefer to keep to myself. I’ve always been that way, but it’s not what other people want me to be like. I used to get invited to parties and gatherings, but no more. Now, I am ignored. I can’t help being this way. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am a leper. To the world, I appear “normal.” I work, I dress nicely and have a nice car and a condo. What they don’t see is my depression. I do not feel happy or content. I can fake being happy for a while, but often I’d just prefer to stare out a window. No one sees my pain. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

I am told that there are people in this world who are not afraid of lepers. I have met a few, but not many. All I want is for someone to accept me as I am and not to change me or cure me. It’s a lonely life. To whom can I turn? Who can I talk to?

Like so many lepers, I have learned that the one person I know I can talk to is Jesus. Jesus hears my cry and sees my tears. He senses my frustrations and fears. If I am to be healed, I know God will do the healing.

But what I truly long for is a loving human touch.

Every Day.