Weekly Homily...

In recent years, the writings of C S Lewis have re-emerged particularly through the teachings of the Alpha Course of Renewal.

Lewis' biographer tells of how Lewis married late in life. He found perfect happiness in his american wife but all too soon she became ill and died of bone cancer. Later he confided in a friend Neville Goghill, that he had prayed for her and been given the priviledge of carrying her pain for her. You mean, said Coghill, the prviledge of carrying her pain in your own body? Yes said Lewis, my legs were crippled by the pain but it was a joy to see her pain relieved.

Only those immersed in a compassion born of love can take the burden of others. These people are concious of their connection to the devine source. They realise that they are both separate from others and yet, also the same.

When the Dalai Lama arrives in a country his first words are "Everyone wants happiness and does not want suffering" He is trying to counter our separatist thinking, and stress our common humanity. Such thinking leads to compassion as we see ourself in our neighbour, especially in the broken.

Today's story of the Leper is often portrayed as a story of faith. His words to Jesus "If you want to, you can cure me" seem to ooze confidence, yet with words it's not so much what we say as how we say it. We have all experienced a greeting said in a way that would wither a cactus.

In our translations it says Jesus felt sorry or pity for the man. Other manuscripts say that he fumed at the man's words. The statement may have been taunt. After years of rejection, perhaps the man is confident in Jesus' power, but not in his desire. He questions whether Jesus wants to help. Some translations describe Jesus reponse as warm indignation at this challenge.

Yet Jesus compassion will always win through. The man is a brother in suffering and his hurt and resentment are understood by the sensitive heart. The Lord's answer will always be "Of course I want to be cured".

Often when we are suffering and are in pain, we too can doubt the Master's desire to help. When we feel abandoned we move into separatist thinking. As St Paul said "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ".

In all cures and healings, Jesus knew the importance of restoring a person to human support in the community. We are not made to tread the path alone. Only at the end was Jesus deprived of human support and comfort so that he might experience all that we do, in our human experience.

We are the Body of Christ called to God as community. Everyone we meet is our Brother and Sister, we all possess the same spirit and in that spirit, there are no outcasts or lepers, only Sons and Daughters of the Father.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Amen +