Many people in our world need care of one kind or another, and various charity organisations work tirelessly to assist as many of those people as possible. These organisations rely on the support of the community to be able to respond as they do. As caring community members, we should all support at least one worthy cause by donating gifts of time, money, appropriate items and our talents. It
is a constructive way to spread faith, hope and love collectively. However, simply dropping our contribution at a collection point or in a bank account to appease our consciences does not respond to our call to follow Christ’s example. Jesus responds concretely to the needs around him; we are invited to do the same.
Jesus' response to the man in this Sunday’s Gospel narrative shows the depth to which we ought to
respond to suffering in our world.
Biblical Commentator William Barclay describes our Gospel text as “Here is one of the most revealing pictures of Jesus.”
As you return to this text again, watch how Jesus sees and responds to the whole person of this man. Jesus would have noticed the diseased, distorted body and smelt the odour of its decay.
Jesus would have also recognised a deep faith that would have driven the man to present himself to Jesus publicly.
Jesus must have listened intentionally and attentively to catch those pivotal words, “If you are willing”.
Jesus must have been deeply moved by the internal pain the man carried – rejection, loneliness and
isolation, perhaps the hurt of insults often hurled at him.
Jesus saw, Jesus felt, and then Jesus responded to the person. Jesus reached out across the void that would have been there for this man for, perhaps, a very long time by touching him. Jesus could have vaguely waved his hand in the leper's general direction and said, “Yes, you are healed”, and moved quickly on, but he didn’t. Jesus took the time to
interact with this man intimately. He treated him with dignity and made him feel like someone with dignity and self-worth. This is a far cry from simply doing one’s bit for charity.
I wonder how this speaks to or challenges how we respond to those in need.
Do we see “charity cases”, or do we see people - made in the image and likeness of God? Do we hastily donate something at arm’s length before
moving to the next thing on our agenda? Do we give time and attention to the person(s)? Do we allow ourselves to feel something of the pain and suffering of others? Do we dare to be changed through the stories of others?
Reflections by Cherie-Lynn van der Merwe
