Disenfranchising the Leper

Confident Hope Jesus Teaches about Hope Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    An Attitude of Gratitude Leviticus 13:1-8 The Message Infections 13 1-3 God spoke to Moses and Aaron: “When someone has a swelling or a blister or a shiny spot on the skin that might signal a serious skin disease on the body, bring him to Aaron, the priest or one of his priest sons. The priest will examine the sore on the skin. If the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears more than skin deep, it is a serious skin disease and infectious. After the priest has examined it, he will pronounce the person unclean. 4-8 “If the shiny spot on the skin is white but appears to be only on the surface and the hair has not turned white, the priest will quarantine the person for seven days. On the seventh day, the priest will examine it again; if in his judgment, the sore is the same and has not spread, the priest will keep him in quarantine for another seven days. On the seventh day, the priest will examine him a second time; if the sore has faded and hasn’t spread, the priest will declare him clean—it is a harmless rash. The person can go home and wash his clothes; he is clean. But if the sore spreads after he has shown himself to the priest and been declared clean, he must come back again to the priest who will conduct another examination. If the sore has spread, the priest will pronounce him unclean—it is a serious skin disease and infectious. For Reflection The bacterial infection, now known as Hanson's disease, was contracted through touching each other or having a meal together. It was a socially transmitted disease that resulted in a disfiguring fatal illness. It was feared by all who encountered it. Prolonged contact with someone who displays symptoms of leprosy was a serious public health matter. Those who contracted the disease were shunned, and no one or community, not even the priesthood, seemed to provide for their welfare. They were left like dogs to beg for scraps. Pray Pray and understand the harm that is done to those who, for whatever reason, are shunned, marginalized, or otherwise disenfranchised.  Pray and discover the hospitality and courage to attend to those who suffer from exclusion. Forward to a friend