In Jesus’ time, leprosy was a term given to a number of skin diseases. Lepers were seen as “unclean” and anyone touching them would be considered unclean.  

In the Gospel today, a leper approaches Jesus and begs him to make him clean. Jesus is moved with compassion and touches him. The leper is healed. The leper realizes that Jesus is no ordinary person. Jesus doesn’t want this healing to bring any notoriety, so he has the leper follow the procedure for being judged clean. The leper is so grateful about his healing that he begins to tell others what has happened. He feels compelled to share the good news. The man approached Jesus as a leper but departed as a disciple. Jesus can transform us too.