The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm

On the feast of St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism, Fr. David Gunter, MIC, reflects on one of the deepest wounds in society today: the absence of fatherhood.

The Gospel presents a man described as “full of leprosy.” Not partially wounded. Not mildly afflicted. Completely sick. And yet this is the man who is healed — because he approaches Jesus correctly. Father Anthony Gramlich, MIC, explains that Scripture reveals three responses to spiritual leprosy. The first is pride: refusing to see one’s own sin while accusing everyone else. This leprosy cannot be healed because it denies the wound. The second is despair: seeing the sin clearly but believing mercy is impossible. This leprosy turns inward and never reaches the Physician.