What does the TV show Trading Spaces, and today’s gospel have in common?
Most of you know the premise of the low budget TV show, Trading Spaces. Two families with homes in need of renovation swap houses, and while occupying each other’s house, alter them to their idea of what the house should look like. And then the camera’s roll as the families move back into their ‘newly renovated space.” Sometimes there are squeals of delight. Other times, disappointed sigh’s and ‘what were they thinking…” And perhaps the success of the show is based on the desire of people to live someone else’s life for a while. Jesus and the leper in the gospel could not have had more different lives. Everyone wanted to be a part of Jesus’ life. No one wanted to go near the leper. Jesus could invite anyone he wished to dine, to conversation, to companionship. The leper had to warn people away. Lepers in the time of Jesus were physically shut out from the community, so great was the fear. And though most people might have only had severe acne or eczemas or some sort of rash, the fear t
