purification

In the Gospel According to Luke 17:11–19 (NABRE), Jesus cleanses a group of lepers by sending them to present themselves to the priests. According to the law, this presentation was required to be pronounced clean again if one’s leprosy passed, and it was on their way there that these lepers were made clean. The Greek language that describes the cleansing uses the word purification and highlights an interesting point about what it is that Jesus does and the effect that it has.

The word used is the Greek verb καθαρίζω (katharizo), a verb that means “to clean” or “to purify.” Katharizo is the root of the English catharsis. This purification references the Jewish concept of ritual cleanliness referred to in the book of Leviticus rather than using language of healing with a more medical connotation that is used to describe many other of Jesus’ miracles. The fear behind the Jewish cleanliness rules is that such uncleanliness could be spread, and so the priests were required to pronounce someone clean before that person could re-enter society. Note that one of the 10 lepers, upon realizing that he’s healed, skips Jesus’ instruction to present himself to the priests and instead returns to thank Jesus and to glorify God. Jesus appears to see this as the correct behavior.

Consider what it is that Jesus is looking for from us in response to his grace and blessing. Where in your life have you showed such a response and where have you not?

related topics: pure; purity; religious law

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