Curing of Leper (Mk 1: 40 - 45)

In our present age, with the advancement of medical science, it is not common to encounter a leper (depending on which part of the world you are in) on the streets. Yet, I wonder what will my reaction be, should I meet one. Will I cringe at what I see or will I run for the fear for my life?

What I saw in Jesus during the Gospel Reading (Feb 15) is more than another healing miracle. It helps me better understand the nature and personhood of our Lord Jesus. Today’s healing was more than breaking the rules to “work” (heal) on the Sabbath or the touching of an unclean man. It is about overcoming our basic instinctual needs for survival. Even before He displayed His great love for us in dying on the cross, we can already catch the sneak preview of this crazy lover – a God who loves us (His creation) more than his own life.

Just a few years back, I found myself playing the role of the leper. It was during the SARS period, whereby the slightest tinge of cough or running nose will get people around you paranoid. I was down with a dry cough one day while attending a bible class. It must have been the cold air that got me coughing a while. Suddenly a lady who was sitting next to me just turn and said that perhaps if I’m not feeling well, I shouldn’t be there. I can understand where she is coming from and I do think that there is some truth in what she said. But what made it slightly difficult to accept was that it came from a fellow sister in the community – and to be more specific, a Christian community. What I would really have long to hear was at least a concern (if I was ok), instead of being condemn as a burden to the community.

So, although we will never encounter a physical “leper” today, but there are still many “lepers” around us. They come in the guise of people who long for our acceptance and care. In today’s context, perhaps lepers no longer come in the form of patients but they can still appear as “outcasts” – those who may be socially inept, slow or loud. A few times at work, I’ve also caught myself behaving like one who condemns. Sometimes, my overtly concern for efficiency can overtake my concern for a fellow colleague’s well-being. This reflection serves as a reminder for me on what it feels like to be treated like a leper. I pray for the strength to love like Jesus did – a love beyond my own self. Perhaps it is only then, can I really reach out beyond myself to bring healing, & integration to others.

Today, I like to pay tribute to Blessed Damien. (See biography A or B ) He will be canonized this year by Pope Benedict. A saint who reminded us of the presence of God in the world (1840 – 1889). A saint who loved to the point of being one with his charge. A saint who understood that people are succumbing not to leprosy but abandonment and condemnation.

“I make myself a leper with the lepers to gain all to Jesus Christ.”
~ Blessed Damien of Molokai

Moving On (Mk 1 : 29 - 39)

I suspect that at some point in our life’s journey, be it a physical exploration of a new place or a personal decision in life regarding career etc, we come to a crossroad whereby a decision is required. At that juncture, we want to know if this is the time to move on or to stay back? And it is oftentimes not an easy decision to make, especially when it entails the “temptation of two goods”. Few years back, I was faced with such a dilemma in ministry. Both present their fair amount of challenges & opportunities. On one hand, I had grown attach to a particular ministry in my parish due to the heavy investment in time & relationship forged. On the other hand, opportunity presents itself in the form of a new challenge at another church.

Will my staying on allow me to renew the current group – to grow everyone closer to God? Also, can I let go of all the relationships that have been forged? Will I be abandoning the group now if I leave them? Many thoughts ran through my mind. On the other hand, what can I do for this new group if I had moved on? Will the new members in that group accept me as a new comer, with new ideas & new ways of doing things? What if things don’t work out? There is no one size fit all or “model” to the discernment process. What works in a particular situation may not guarantee to work in another.

However, these could be similar thoughts that ran through the mind of Jesus in Sunday's Gospel reading (8 Feb). But we could pick out a few tips from the Lord’s discernment process :

1) deep & long prayer
2) staying focus to his mission
3) attitude of surrender (& openness)

It is amazing how things were turning so well (& I’m sure the disciples are also basking in the new found popularity of their Rabbi), only to be met with a complete different course (and maybe also unexpected), after a night of prayer! (Mk 1: 34, 37) Thereafter, the answer for this radical decision was given : that Jesus was sent to proclaim the good news, and He must press on. Speaking from my experience earlier, I can only surmise that this is no easy decision to make. I can only suggest that an attitude of surrender (of one’s wants & motivations – be it for popularity, of feeling useful etc) and remaining focus to our true self could bring about such a decision. I do not know whether our Lord brought his offerings & mission into prayer or if prayer actually reinforced His attitude of openness and mission. But all 3 elements seem essential and inter-related. Let us learn from our Lord on how we can move on in our lives...

"For this, it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things, in all that is allowed to the choice of our free will and is not prohibited to it; so that, on our part, we want not health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, long rather than short life, and so in all the rest; desiring and choosing only that which is most conducive for us to the end for which we are created."

~ Principle and Foundation 2, spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius

Authority (Mk 1: 21 - 28)?

For me, the word "Authority" often gives a negative connotation. It brings back memories of army and work. As a common saying goes in the army, when they ask you to jump, don't ask why but how high? When they ask you to run, don't ask why but how far? Yes, that's what authority is - just do it! no questions ask.

Just when I thought I was liberated with the end of national service, I realize that the corporate world too, can sometimes be run by dictatorship. I'm sure many would agree with me that not all decisions made here is 100% objective all the time. Once in a while, decisions have to be made based on subjective (gut) feelings. Sometimes, it could really all voice down to the choice of a colour - red or green (for example). And how many times, we have heard complaints (whether by someone else or silently in our heart) that go "Okay, if you say so. What to do? You are the boss." And what made it hard to stomach sometimes, is the fact that these decisions may not necessary end up to be the best ones. At times, they are only a matter of preference, and not knowledge.

Sometimes, authority can go in this direction. It is used (or abuse) to protect an organization, a tested tradition/system and often times, the very person who made that decision. As they say : Don't rock the boat! However, looking at how my nephew & niece are raised, I have learnt that authority can also be used to protect - the other party. One can often hear parents say : "Don't do this...Do that....I told you already, listen up....." But their intention is always for the well-being of The Other.

During the Sun's gospel reading (Feb 1), we hear the word Authority mentioned 2x. The first one was the way Jesus taught - with a sense of surety & expertise. He exist before the world was created and He's one like us in all things, except sin (Heb 4:15). He is not only all-knowing but He walks the talk. Indeed, He has all the right and qualification to speak with such certainty. Here, we are not toying with subjective decision making but one that deals with our eternal lives! Would and could you entrust your life to a doctor who operates you based on subjective gut feel? In this present age whereby globalization, consumerism and technology media is growing, we need ever more the authoritative teaching of the Church to guide us. She cannot act according to the "times of the world" or the fashion of the month. Hence, the importance to recognize the infallability of the church in her teaching on morality & ethics.

Next, Jesus taught with an authority that backed Him up. Often times, we hear the Pharisee questioning "by what authority & who gave the authority?" (Mk 11:28). They have failed to see 2 things : 1) Jesus authority stems from His concern for the OTHER party. It was never about Himself or to protect His ego. 2) God's divine nature is love. IF the Pharisees had been able to perceive this, they would be able to conclude that Jesus was backed by God's authority for God = love and Jesus taught with love. He taught not to add burdens; control people's freedom (Mt 23:4) but rather to liberate His people - to set the captives free and proclaim the favourable year of the Lord! (Lk 4:19)

Everywhere (in politics, in the church, on school playgrounds where bullies rule, in neighborhoods torn apart by drug dealers, and in the world at large where private interests often destroy community) there is a longing and a constant prayer for someone to come and use power in a redeeming way to make things better. The longing for a messiah is in fact a longing for a redeeming power to enter into our lives.

~ Ronald Rolheiser, Secularity and the Gospel: Being Missionaries to Our Children