La acción de Jesús sobre el leproso en el Evangelio de San Mateo 8,1-4, un compromiso de la Iglesia con los marginados y excluidos: análisis narrativo-teológico.

Abstract

This research project aims to approach St. Matthew´s Gospel with the objective of analyzing the Jesus´ action with the leper, in terms of his compassion, contact and personal relationship, in the pericope of Mt 8,1-4; it utilizes the method of narrative analysis of the biblical texts and some theological keywords proper to the pericope to illuminate the Church´s commitment to those who are marginalized and excluded from society. In developing this research project, we first identify the situation of marginalization and exclusion of lepers in Biblical times of the Old and New Testaments; we will also look at the disease of leprosy and what it meant. A second step is a narrative analysis, taking into account the context of the Gospel of St. Matthew and the pericope of Mt 8,1-4, with elements proper to the method in order to better understand the text. Finally, in a third step, we approach the theology of the text using theological keywords to update the message and uncover Jesus´ action, thereby recognizing the lepers of today´s society who experience marginalization and exclusion. At the same time, the project aims to offer a concrete response for the mission that concerns the Church today, and to consider Pope Francis´ proposal to always have open doors, opting for the marginalized and excluded, close to the poorest people.