When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” (Mt 8:1-4)
The power of touch . . . of course, touching a leper made one unclean according to the Law of God. And so by touching the leper, Jesus is crossing the line. And yet the touch is everything.
The photo is of Saint Damien of Molokai . . . on the left, as the young priest, on the right the Leper Priest of Molokai.
