Today's Gospel in Art - Jesus cleans the leper

Jesus cleans the leper, Mosaic detail, 12thC, © Cathedral of the Assumption, Monreale, Sicily

Gospel of 10th January 2020 - Luke 5:12-16

Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. 'Sir,' he said 'if you want to, you can cure me.' Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, 'Of course I want to! Be cured!' And the leprosy left him at once. He ordered him to tell no one, 'But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them.'

His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured, but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.

Reflection on the Mosaic Ceiling

Today's Gospel reading is more than just a story of healing a sick man. Leprosy refers not just to the physical illness showing symptoms of a skin disease, it is also symbolic for a person, who was considered to be unclean spiritually, a sinner. Thus we can read this passage replacing the word 'leprosy' with 'sin'. Just like leprosy, sin spreads, is contagious, destroys a person, affects our communities, and needs to be healed....To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/292