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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