为使他们得救

常年期第六主日

麻风病，一种传染疾病，是今日圣道礼仪的中心。为了保护他人免受这类感染， 《肋未纪》命令麻风病人居于营外，并要时刻将自己的情况告知其他人:“不洁! 不洁!”(肋 13:45)麻风病有其象征意义。罪恶玷污了我们的灵性，成为不洁; 而且，罪人用自己的罪影响或感染他人。这一点我们可以看到，社会和哲学潮流 的影响导向真理丢失、道德败坏。

麻风病人的治愈故事，是耶稣在加里肋亚所做福传工作的一部分。祂离开葛法翁 到其它地方教导人(谷 1:38)，在今日福音所描述的事件之后，祂返回那里(谷 2:1)。在那里的福传工作，包括在会堂里施教和驱逐魔鬼(谷 1:39)——不洁之 灵(谷 1:23-25)。清除加里肋亚的邪恶力量，这一点尤其在今天的福音中较显突 出。“你若愿意，就能洁净我”(谷 1:40)。麻风病人并没有要求医治。他跪在地 上只是请求，而将决定权留给耶稣。我们从中可以学到很多——谦卑、顺服天主 的旨意、信赖耶稣。“我愿意，你洁净了吧”(谷 1:41)。信德与怜悯相逢，“麻风 病立时脱离了他”(谷 1:42)。但故事到此并未结束。

“什么也不可告诉人”(谷 1:44)。他的不顺服以某种方式挫败了耶稣的计划。救 主耶稣原本打算公然进城，但只好留在外边荒野的地方。祂不再走遍全加里肋亚， 而是人们从四面八方来到祂面前。这一改变的原因何在?耶稣禁止宣扬那个奇迹， 即是原因。宣讲福音是危险的。耶稣作为宣讲者和治愈者，其名声也引起了对手 的注意。在那次治愈之后，立刻就有“浓云”逐渐聚集于基督的使命之上。经师 (谷 2:6-7)和法利塞人(谷 2:16)开始紧盯着祂的活动，除掉耶稣的决定也即 将产生(谷 3:6)。

“效法我，如我效法了基督一样”(格前 11:1)。效法基督，意味着不去寻求自己 的利益，而是他人的利益，“为使他们得救”(格前 10:33)。耶稣触摸麻风病人， 显然不是为寻求自己的利益;相反，祂使自己成为不洁的。主耶稣自己承担了罪 恶的“传染疾病”，这样人类便可以经验得救。圣保禄紧随主的脚步。在传扬福 音中，保禄宗徒寻求所有人——犹太人、希腊人和天主的教会之益处。他非常清 楚，只有天主子耶稣基督的福音能够洁净受罪恶污染的世界和人类。“罪恶蒙赦 免，过犯得遮掩的人，是有福的!”(咏 32:1)

That They May be Saved

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Lev 13:1-2, 44-46; Ps 32; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

Leprosy, an infectious disease, is at the center of the liturgy of the Word today. To protect others against this infection, the Book of Leviticus orders the sick person to live outside the camp and inform others about his condition: “unclean, unclean” (Lev 13:45). Leprosy has also a symbolic meaning. Sin makes us spiritually unclean. What’s more, sinful person infects others with their sin. We see that in the influence of social and philosophical currents that lead to the loss of truth and the decline of morality.

The story of healing the leper is part of the Galilean mission of Jesus. He left Capernaum to teach in other places (Mk 1:38), and he returns there after the events described in today’s Gospel (Mark 2: 1). This mission was characterized by teaching in the synagogues and casting out demons (Mk 1:39) – unclean spirits (Mk 1: 23-25). The cleaning of Galilee from the power of evil is particularly highlighted in today’s Gospel. “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mk 1:40). The leper does not demand to be healed. He asks, falls on his knees, and leaves the decision to Jesus. We can learn a lot here about humility, surrender to God’s will, and trust in Jesus. “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mk 1:41). Faith and mercy meet with each other and “the leprosy left him immediately” (Mk 1:42). However, this is not the end of the story.

“See that you tell no one anything” (Mk 1:44). His disobedience somehow thwarted Jesus’ plans. Instead of entering openly into a city, the Savior resides in deserted places. He does not go throughout all Galilee anymore, instead people come to Him from all directions. What was the reason for this change? Jesus’ ban not propagate that miracle had its reason. Proclaiming the Gospel is dangerous. Jesus’ fame as a preacher and healer also attracted the attention of his opponents. Immediately after that healing, the clouds are slowly gathering over the mission of Christ. The scribes (Mk 2: 6-7) and the Pharisees (Mk 2:16) begin to look closely at His mission and soon the decision to destroy Jesus will be made (Mk 3: 6).

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ “(1 Cor 11: 1). Imitating Christ means not seeking one’s own benefit, but the good of others, “that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33). By touching the leper Jesus did not seek his own benefit. On the contrary, He made himself unclean. Our Lord takes upon himself the infectious disease of sin so humankind can experience salvation. Saint Paul followed in the footsteps of the Lord. When proclaiming the Gospel, the apostle sought the good of all – Jews, Greeks and the Church of God. He knew perfectly well that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is able to cleanse the world and humanity from the contamination of sin. “Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32: 1). Amen.