The Healing of the Leper by Origen
Let us consider here, beloved brethren, if there be anyone that has the taint of leprosy in his soul, or the contamination of guilt in his heart? If he has, instantly adoring God, let him say to him: Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. Thou hast long ago cleansed Naaman who committed many crimes, and thou hast had compassion throughout the ages on an immeasurable number of others who have besought thee. Thou, therefore, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And the Lord, swiftly stretching forth the hand of his mercy, will say: I will: be thou made clean, as Jesus says it to the one he cleansed of leprosy.
The Lord had compassion on this man who believed in him, who trusted in his power. To him Jesus said: thou hast believed, you are healed; thou hast hoped, you are made clean. Forget not what you were, nor what you are now made into. Cease not to give thanks, nor cease to confess the Lord. Beloved, this also we must do, as often as he has delivered us from some peril, or comforted us in some grief, or infirmity, or sickness, or from any extremity whatsoever. Let us not be ungrateful, nor forgetful of our benefactor, but speedily render him thanks; and let us offer a gift according to our means, to shew him honour. For this also the Lord commands.
But go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them. Jesus therefore saith to him: see thou tell no man. And wherefore, Lord, will he tell no one? Because of my humility, because of my hidden sweetness. And you, let this be a lesson unto you, whenever you do anything of good, do not seek to be honoured for it before men, to be extolled, to be foolishly pleased, as is the way with so many when they do a little good, or have fasted, or given an alms to the poor, or a gift in honour of an altar or in honour of the saints. For these seek to be glorified before men, and to please themselves, losing their reward with God.
Biographical Note
Origen was born AD 185 in Egypt (probably at Alexandia) when it was a vibrant centre of Christian civilisation. He was ordained a priest around AD 230 in Palestine, by a bishop at Caesarea. During the persecution of Decius he refused to offer sacrifice to the emperor. He was imprisoned and subjected to prolonged and extremely cruel torture. He survived this but died only a few years later around AD 254. He was a renowned Biblical scholar and much esteemed for his writings in Christian dogma (Christian-teaching) and spirituality.
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