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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings
Reading 1: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Responsorial: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel: Mark 1:40-45
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021421.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
My brothers and sisters, have we got a lot to talk about today on deacon rudy’s notes where every weekend we break open the Word. Not only do we hear Good News in the readings for this weekend, but this Sunday is also the World Day of Marriage and Ash Wednesday is on the 17th! Never a dull moment! Let’s get to it!
In this weekend’s Gospel, a leper approaches Jesus. Now, in Jesus’ time, that was a big deal! As we heard in our first reading from Leviticus, Moses prescribed some pretty tight rules around people who were sick for the sake of the common good. Now, a year or so ago, I might have looked at what Moses said and thought to myself, “That’s a bit extreme.” Of course, now, as the world slogs its way through the pandemic, we might have a better appreciation for restrictions and inconvenience we bear for the greater good. And we’ve affirmed what doctors and scientists already knew, that staying home or keep our distance as we venture out, are the surest ways to limit the spread of illness.
So, the lepers had to set up camp apart from the community and had to be identified in the most embarrassing way when they approached. The leper was supposed to call out “Unclean, unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45) so that everybody knew he was coming.
Now, fast-forward to Jesus’ time. A leper not only approaches Jesus without calling out, but he dares to reach out to Jesus. What he was doing probably shocked everyone around. And the leper threatened to infect Jesus.
But the leper says to Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Wow! We can hear this guy’s total faith in Jesus by telling him “make me clean.” I mean, we’re still in the first chapter of Mark! People were probably still trying to figure out who Jesus was. But this guy believes and he risks everything to approach Jesus.
What does Jesus say? “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). My brothers and sisters, that is Good News! Just as Jesus says to the leper “Be made clean” he says to you and me “Be made clean.” But how many people wonder if they can approach Jesus? How many people are too embarrassed and think, “Nah, not me. You, maybe, but not me.”
Let’s talk about that for a minute. Sometimes in our relationships – not just marriage – we can hurt each other in the most awful ways. The closer we are to someone, the more we know which buttons to push – and boy can we push those buttons!
Look at the world around us. There’s so much brokenness and I suggest to you that the brokenness in the world reflects the brokenness in our relationships. We hurt someone or we have been wounded by someone. We never forgive and we never forget. So, the world reflects our wounds and brokenness. But here’s the kicker: sometimes we can’t imagine what it would be like not being angry or hurt by so and so. We think, “I have every reason to be angry!” That’s certainly true in our political environment, but it’s also true for some of our relationships. It’s far easier to walk out on a spouse, for example, than to find common ground and forgiveness.
When we choose to walk through life clinging to our hurts and anger and suspicion, we become a sort of emotional leper. We’ve chosen to become that grumpy person who sits in their front room on Halloween with the lights off ready to run outside and tell off the first kid who steps on your lawn. What are the effects of such bitterness? High blood pressure, stress, anxiety, maybe stomach problems and who knows what other ways that misery will manifest?
Is that really who you want to be? And how can Jesus possibly approach you or answer your prayers if your walled up in your own bitter and angry room?
My brothers and sisters, Jesus is ready to say to you “Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). That’s the whole reason Jesus came into the world – to save us! All we must do is lay down our pride and like the leper in today’s Gospel, ask for healing. That’s true for our countries. That’s true for us as individuals. And that’s true for married couples.
On this World Day of Marriage, let’s celebrate the healing presence of Jesus rather than the leprosy of unforgiveness. That willingness to invite Jesus in to heal our relationship begins with what Pope Francis says are perhaps the four hardest things to say to our spouses. I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. And thank you.
Homework! Healed by the saving power of the Word made flesh and in the Eucharist, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions this week. First, test whether I am holding on to unforgiveness. Write out a list of people who’ve hurt you, then pray for each person specifically. If you stumble while reading the list, then there’s room for healing! Second, during your prayer time, say, “If you wish, you can heal me.” Imagine Jesus saying to you, “Be healed!”
I think doing our homework will help us welcome the healing presence of Christ Jesus. Just a quick reminder. Wednesday the 17th is Ash Wednesday. As we begin Lent, we remember it’s not so much that I give something trivial up, like chocolate, than it is about growing in our relationship with Jesus. And it’s difficult to grow if we cling to past hurts. So, let’s offer our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for bringing healing to our relationships, to our countries, and to the whole world! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!
Image Credit: Angry Couple. Artist Unknown. JPG.
Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ the physician: 1503-5
2. Conscience: 1776-94
3. Jesus hears our prayer: 2616
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021421.cfm
Lectionary: 77
Reading 1
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
“If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch
which appears to be the sore of leprosy,
he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest,
or to one of the priests among his descendants.
If the man is leprous and unclean,
the priest shall declare him unclean
by reason of the sore on his head.
“The one who bears the sore of leprosy
shall keep his garments rent and his head bare,
and shall muffle his beard;
he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’
As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”
Responsorial
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
R. (7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Reading 2
1 Cor 10:31—11:1
Brothers and sisters,
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.
Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or
the church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,
that they may be saved.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Alleluia
Luke 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.