“He was moved by pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing. Be clean.’ ” Mk. 1:40-45

It is striking in this story that the leper does not ask for healing, but for purification; he wants to be clean. He is more concerned with religious purity than health. According to Jewish law, this was the most logical thing to do. Jesus, with compassion, overrides the norms of legal purity, heals him and sends him to the priest with proof of his healing, thus regaining his dignity. Despite Jesus’ prohibition, the former leper becomes an evangelizer, propagating the Lord’s free goodness. This compassionate love puts human dignity above all norms. The Church also has much to learn in this regard. Let us pray for our pastors.