In the Second Book of Kings, Naaman, a foreign general follows the direction of Elisha, the Prophet from Israel.  He goes down into the river and his flesh, disfigured by leprosy is made clean and healthy as a newborn.  (2 Kg 5: 9-15)
 
 In Luke’s Gospel, a foreigner once again is the one person, healed of leprosy, who returns to Jesus to offer thanks and praise for having been healed at his bidding. (Lk 17: 11-19)
 
 In each of these two situations, individuals are healed of leprosy.  Though the healing might have come in a way initially thought “off the mark” or unworthy, the outcome was not only a body restored to its integrity but also the spirit of that person.  And as the individual’s body and spirit are restored, a new-found relationship with God begins.
 
 Imagine the peace of mind and spirit that follows this release from the bondage created by leprosy at that time.  The wounds of the body are gone.  The barriers to personal and social contact are gone.  The presumption of sinfulness that would cause this disease is gone.  The reduction of personal identity from one’s own culture, language, talents and dreams, and even geography to the simple, harsh, and permanent label “leper” is gone.
 
 Into our lives in our own time and place comes the Spirit of God to penetrate whatever it is that wounds, that creates barriers, that plays up our inclination to sin, that reduces us to any label that presumes to identify or reveal us to the world.  What within our control separates us from the peace that only God can give?  What in us requires forgiveness or healing for which our one, true hope is to turn to God?  It only requires the sincerity of seeking, and the sincerity of gratitude!