Study of the Readings
Ed. by
Joyce Ann Zimmerman,
et al
• Words, Phrases
• To the point
• First Two Readings
• Experience
Dennis
Hamm, SJ
Because the leper's greatest suffering is his exclusion from the community, his status as an “untouchable,” Jesus touches him.
John Kavanaugh, SJ
Not only are we unable to save ourselves. We are profoundly blemished. And all the makeup in the world cannot do the trick.
John J. Pilch
Notice that Jesus’ command is in the passive voice: “Be made clean.” In biblical literature this is known as the theological or divine passive, that is, it acknowledges God as the one who performs the action without having to use God’s name.
If the hearts of believers are purified by faith, we must give thought to this virtue of faith, for, as the Apostle says, “Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea.”
Reginald H. Fuller
As a final rule of thumb, Paul says, “Be imitators of me.” He can ask the Corinthians to do that without a trace of arrogance because he himself imitates the behavior of Christ.