Gospel in Art: A leper came to Jesus, imploring him

The Healing of the Leper (bottom scene) Ivory carving from Metz, France, 9th century © Bode Museum, Berlin

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 15 January 2026
Mark 1:40-45

At that time: A leper came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, 'See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.' But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Reflection on the Ivory Book Cover

In many Gospel scenes, Jesus heals simply by speaking: his word alone restores life and hope. But today's encounter is different. A man suffering from one of the most feared and isolating illnesses dares to come close. By the standards of the Law, he should have kept his distance; approaching anyone was strictly forbidden. Yet, he takes the risk. He does not doubt Jesus' power... "You can heal me", he exclaims. But he is humble at the same time: "if you want to", thus leaving the door open for Jesus not to heal if he didn't want to. Most people would have recoiled from such a sight. Jesus does the opposite: he remains, he faces the man's suffering head-on, and he reaches out in compassion... and say that of course he wants heal. When people ask, he is there to heal, always.

Before a single word is spoken, Jesus touches him. That gesture alone breaks the barrier of loneliness that had defined the man's existence. Only then does the healing word follow. Jesus touches the one the world refused to touch. The message is unmistakable: nothing in our lives repels the Lord! No wound or struggle puts us beyond his reach. When we say, "If you want to…", the answer is already yes. Christ desires wholeness and fullness of life for each of us. What he asks is a little of the leper's courage: to draw near in trust.

Our 9th-century ivory plaque was used as a devotional book cover for an illuminated manuscript. From the 9th till the 13th century, such exquisite ivory carvings were produced all over Europe, often in monasteries and ecclesiastical or royal courts. Used for liturgical purposes, these low relief carvings appeared on book covers, reliquary caskets and religious icons. Our plaque depicts three scenes from the life of Christ: Christ and the Doctors (top), the Wedding at Cana (middle) and the Healing of the Leper (below), the last one relating to the Gospel reading of today. The leper's bare skin is incised with pin-head sized dots conveying his illness.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-1-40-45-2026/