Daily Reflections

Reflection:

Today, we hear the positive message that Jesus heals.

I wonder how long it had been since anyone had touched the leper? We all need to be touched in a caring way. It is a way of saying I care, I see you, we are here together and you matter. Not only had the leper not been touched, but I imagine that people kept themselves at a distance from him. If they saw the leper coming, they might have chosen to give him a wide berth or perhaps find a different route. The pain, isolation, and perhaps shame of those with leprosy must have been intense!

Just recall our social distancing during the pandemic, or rather coming out of lockdown where some individuals wanted distance and others found it unjustifiable. Maybe this can give us a glimpse on a fraction of what these individuals might had experienced.
It leads me to ponder, who are the ‘lepers’ in our world today? Who are the individuals that I (and you) may treat as a ‘leper’ at times by avoiding them, keeping distance or simply ignoring them?

Recently, I was at a gathering, in normal form each individual who entered the room went around offering celebrational greetings. As this one individual greeted me, offering a hand to shake, which we did with that semi-awkward hug greeting, you all know the one! They pulled back and said so simply ‘oh it’s been a long time from someone giving me a hug’. My reaction was, ‘I am sorry’. Not because I am sorry to hug yet rather the reality that no one had extended an arm around them. Wow, I thought. At the end of the evening as once again going around the room offering celebrational goodbyes, I received the biggest hug from this person with the simple words of ‘thank you’.

Reflecting back, I wonder, is this individual seen as a leper in society today. An individual who maybe, due to their work status, their gender, their cultural difference, appearance, personality? What is the reason they have not been touched in a compassionate way for a period of time to know when they have that new, or I pray familiar, experience again to recognise in the moment what is absent in their life.

The invitation for us today is to simply be that ‘healing’ presence to others, just like Jesus. Not that I am encouraging anyone to run around hugging every person, this would be a little problematic, rather, simply be conscious of those who walk across your daily path, smile, acknowledge and if appropriate remind them that they are loved in a way that speaks to their heart.

Sr Karen Englebretsen CP, Cross and Passion Sisters. blessed to be a spiritual care worker in the homeless sector in Melbourne.