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of human to be accepted as common as any individual in the
        society. Whenever Jesus visits Bethany stays at the residence
        of Mary and Martha. But this time he enters into the ordinary
        person house. Here the re-imaging people happens before
        Christ could take over the cross.



        Building Communities

               There is a custom in the Jewish tradition that, after the
        healing received by the leprosy affected person, he or she must
        go to the priest for purification ceremony and to be certified by
        the priest. But here in this text Mark 14: 1-3, we experience that
        a priest (Rabbi) himself goes to the house of a leper to certify and
        give witness. So Jesus would like to build communities of hope
        where there is no hope in individuals or in communities. Jesus
        comes forward to set an example to recognize the marginalized
        or underprivileged people. In Luke chapter 7 also the same
        incident is recorded. But what is interesting in Lukan narrative is
        that, Luke removes the stigma – leper and records just as entering
        to Pharisee house, that is., entering into the simon’s house. Luke
        would like to build new communities with new image. No more
        the term leprosy or leper can be prefixed or suffixed with the
        name. When the old things have gone, everything becomes new
        and a new creation (II Cor. 5:17). So in Christ, the stigma can be
        removed and new image can be given or when one is reinstated
        into the older state everything becomes normal.



        Conclusion
               As we are meditating on the cross of calvary during this
        Lenten season, let us commit ourselves to give new identity
        to the  suffering  community.  Let  us include  the repented
        community into our fold as Jesus accepts everyone. Let us strive
        towards breakin the barrier, bridging the breach and building
        communites as Jesus Christ set us model to emulate to create
        new society.

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                        Lenten Meditations   Re - Imaging People
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