Sermon for the Third Sunday after The Epiphany, 2025

Like all diseases, leprosy is a symptom of sin; even so, leprosy, above all other diseases, vividly illustrates what sin is. Leprosy begins from within, yet it produces sores, blemishes, and all manner of defilements, which show themselves on the surface. Just like sin, for from within—that is—out of the heart, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, yet they manifest themselves outwardly in what we do and say. And even if one could refrain from all these outward manifestations of sin—which we can’t—there yet remains the inward infection of sin, which also causes and produces all that is wrong with our bodies and lives. Sin is the reason there is disease and sickness, the culprit of our troubles, and the cause of death. Sin is what needs to be dealt with: what needs to be washed.

“Wash, and be clean.” Return, again, in faith, to the waters of Holy Baptism, where Christ has taken your uncleanness into Himself and washed you clean of all sin. And all the other things will dry up and go away; if not now, then later, if only when our corruptible bodies are made incorruptible on the Last Day. He healed everyone who came to Him. So also, He heals us who come before Him. Come, therefore, and worship Him. And, like the leper, receive His touch. For here, in the Blessed Sacrament, with His very Body and Blood, He touches you; here, with the very Elements by which He dealt with your sin and its result, He says to you, “I will; be clean.” 

Readings:

• Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-15a

• Epistle: Romans 12:16-21

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 8:1-13

  
  

Sermon: