COMMENTARY ON THE LITURGY OF THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Collect
O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings
Rom 13:1-7; Mt 8:1-13
The Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew is followed with a series of miracles performed by Jesus, within the more general framework of a narrative section on the preaching of the kingdom of heaven. After having manifested himself as the supreme legislator, Jesus offers his epiphany in the quality of doctor of souls and bodies.
One of the evils that Jewish culture held to be an eminent sign of divine reprobation was leprosy. The first man Jesus heals is indeed a leper, proving that he can turn away any kind of sin. Considered the maximum expression of ritual impurity, leprosy - for which no medical treatments were known - had to be diagnosed by a priest, who also checked whether the patient was cured. The diagnosis and prognosis were therefore up to the priest, but not the cure. By healing a leper, Jesus proves that he is the one who offers what the law cannot give: healing and restitution to the service of God.
The church must avoid falling into sterile legalism, and prevent being zealous in condemning sin, threatening its consequences, but unable to bring about conversion and healing. Touching the leper Jesus contravenes the Jewish law, but in this way, he demonstrates his superiority to it and his complete separation from sin, while dwelling among sinners. He is not afraid to touch our wounds he who has healed our humanity by taking it upon himself.
Jesus' touch and word of authority - "I will be well" (v. 3) are enough to bring about immediate healing. The miracle of healing the leper warns against any form of religious purism, against the temptation to establish a barrier between the holiness of God and the miseries of man, to flee not only sin but also the sinner. Instead, we are called to pray for the healing of our ills, but also of those of our neighbors.
With the miracle performed in favor of the centurion's servant, the prophetic words pronounced by Simeon at the presentation of Jesus in the temple become true, as Jesus is recognized as the glory of Israel but also as "light to enlighten the nations" (Lk 2:32). In fact, the centurion's words show his pagan membership, since he does not consider himself worthy of a visit from Jesus, who would have exposed himself to ritual impurity.
Accustomed to command and aware of the authority of an order, the simple word of Jesus is enough for the centurion to be sure of the healing of his servant. With this attestation of faith and with the use of the nickname "Lord" the Roman soldier demonstrates that he recognizes the sovereignty of Christ and for this reason, he is counted among the children of Abraham, father of those who believe.
Jesus reproaches the incredulity of those, among the natural children of the patriarch, who refuse his teaching in the face of the wonders they witnessed. Whoever needs miracles to believe will never have enough "proofs", but whoever believes and asks with humility will be denied nothing for his own salvation and that of those he loves.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
