Exploring Catholic Social Teaching
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Scripture Story #2: Read Matthew 8:1-4.<br />
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And<br />
then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you<br />
can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will<br />
do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said<br />
to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer<br />
the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”<br />
Explanation:<br />
Leprosy is a terrible skin disease. In biblical times, people with leprosy were<br />
made to live outside the city, away from everyone else. This was because<br />
leprosy was easy to catch, and if you had leprosy, you would die from it. A<br />
person with leprosy was thought to be “unclean.” In fact, people thought<br />
that if you had leprosy, you were being punished because you probably did<br />
something really bad.<br />
Discussion Questions<br />
1. Who was Jesus spending time with in this passage?<br />
2. Why is this surprising?<br />
3. Can you imagine what it would be like not to be allowed to be<br />
touched at all and to be blamed for something that is not your fault?<br />
How do you think the leper felt when Jesus actually touched him?<br />
4. What does this teach you about Jesus?<br />
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© SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS
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