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Today's gospel tells the story of Jesus healing a man suffering from leprosy, and the first reading from the book of Leviticus helps us to understand how the people of Israel regarded the disease. Anyone with an active or infectious skin disorder was excluded from the religious and social life of the community. It was the duty of a priest to determine when a person's condition had been healed and to then begin the purification rites allowing the person to return to the community. During the time of their uncleanness diseased persons had to remain outside the city and indicate their condition by wearing torn garments, long hair and by crying out, "Unclean".

People did not normally mix with those in a sate of impurity for fear of becoming contaminated, so when Jesus actually touched the leper to heal him, it showed that he was deeply moved and not constrained by the accepted practice of avoiding such people. Jesus, in accordance with Jewish law, was anxious that the man showed himself to the priest who had the authority to declare him clean again. He asked the man not to speak about the healing to others but apparently he did, so Jesus himself had to stay outside the town, just as the leper had.

Everyone needs to be healed in some way. This week you are invited to bring yourself to Jesus and allow yourself to experience his healing touch. Spend a few minutes with him each day this week and ask for your needs and the needs of others. St Paul reminds us that everything we do is for the glory of God. Try to start and end your day with the prayer, "Glory be to the Father…"