Homily for Friday after Epiphany

Homily for Friday after Epiphany

Theme: Relationship with one another

By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches

Homily for Friday January 7 2022

Homily for Friday after Epiphany
Theme: Relationship with one another
By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches
Homily for Friday January 7 2022
L1k 5:12-16
Now there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
In the time of Jesus, a leper is considered an outcast of society. Due to his communicable disease, a leper cannot be integrated into society. He has to live outside the town. And he is required to have a small bell by his side, so that when he moves, other people will be warned of his presence. He is to shout: “Unclean! Unclean!” This is to give time for people to stay away from him. Anybody who touches him will also be considered unclean. He is still alive, but in reality, he is already dead in the eyes of society and of the world.
What happened in the Gospel today is quite shocking to the Jews. Jesus touches the leper! That makes Him unclean also. But He does not mind. He is just overwhelmed by His compassion and mercy for the leper: “I do will it. Be cured.” Jesus did not intend to prove that He is the Messiah by showing His healing powers. His gesture is simply an act of mercy and love.
Nowadays we live in a world that is becoming numb to other people’s needs and feelings. In our quest for our ambitions and selfish desires, we are losing compassion and sympathy for people. Many just do not care anymore. We judge others by what they have, rather than by what they really are. We consider people not as individuals but as numbers: Social Security Number, Bank Account number, Identification Card Number, telephone number and many others. We look at people like commodities or items that can be sold, used and disposed. Everything has become impersonal. We are slowly losing respect for the human person.
The example of Jesus in the Gospel today should help us realize how precious every human person is in the eyes of God. A leper is worthless in the eyes of society. He is good for nothing. In fact, he is a menace to the community. But Jesus cares so much about the leper that His own safety and welfare take the backseat. He touches him and heals him. He does not care about the people’s criticisms and harsh words. At that moment, moved with pity and compassion, His only desire is to free the leper from his ailment and bring back to him the dignity of a human person and a child of God.
In our relationship with one another, may we truly respect and care for each other. We are not faceless numbers, nor are we commodities for sale or disposable items. We are human beings created in the image and likeness of God. We are all God’s children and inheritors of the heavenly kingdom. We are dutybound to promote and defend the dignity of each human being. In this way we give due glory to God.
Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches

Discover more from Catholic For Life

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading