Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Bartimaeus

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Responsorial: Psalm 126:1-6
Reading 2: Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102421.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

There is always such depth and richness to the readings. But what catches my attention is blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is sitting alongside the road of Jericho. Jericho was the town captured by Joshua. The story is in the Book of Joshua. Remember the story? The Israelite priests blew their trumpets as the army marched around the walls of Jericho seven times. And the walls of Jericho came crashing down (Joshua 6:1-27).

Now Bartimaeus is sitting on the roadside. Can you picture him begging for money from the people coming and going along this dusty road? He hears that Jesus is passing by as Jesus was leaving Jericho (Mark 10:46).

He begins to call out, “Jesus, son of David, have pit on me” (Mark 10:47). The people around him tell him to be quiet. Maybe they told him not to bother someone as important as Jesus. Maybe they were frustrated because this guy is always sitting on the side of the road begging. Maybe they thought he was a nuisance or a pain. Maybe they wished he’d move on.

How did Jesus react?

Scripture says that Jesus stopped and called for Bartimaeus (Mark 10:49). Only then did the people around Bartimaeus tell him to get up and go to Jesus.

Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). It’s the same question that Jesus asked James and John in the Gospel last week. But instead of self-interest, Bartimaeus only asks to be healed – to be made whole. He believes that Jesus can help him. And so, Jesus tells him that his faith saved him (Mark 10:52). Once healed, Bartimaeus follows Jesus as a disciple.

How many Bartimaeuses sit along our path? How tempting is it to simply ignore the Bartimaeuses of our day? Don’t make eye contact with them when you drive past them. Roll up your windows so that you can’t hear them call out.

Maybe Bartimaeus is the homeless person who you see on your drive to work. Maybe Bartimaeus is the person in the car behind you in line at the coffee shop who looks like they’ve been crying. Maybe Bartimaeus is that elderly person who lives all alone and never has any visitors.

My brothers and sisters, we are disciples of Christ Jesus. So often we are counseled that to be like Jesus means to imitate Jesus. What did Jesus do in this Gospel passage? Jesus stopped, looked around and called for Bartimaeus. Maybe that means that we should stop and acknowledge Bartimaeus too especially on this weekend of World Mission Sunday. We are called to look beyond our comfort zone – called to go out to the periphery – to reach out to those in need.

Maybe we could keep basics in our car so that we encounter a homeless person, we can offer them some socks or a bottle of water or maybe something warm during the winter. Maybe when we pull up to the window, we could let the barista know we’d like to buy the coffee for the person in the car behind us. Maybe when we see that elderly person who lives alone and comes to Mass alone, maybe we could say hello. Maybe we could sit with them. Maybe we could invite them to join our family for lunch or dinner after Mass?

Today, our highly polarized political environment could cause us to either dismiss Bartimaeus or to judge Bartimaeus. It’s Bartimaeus’ own fault they’re in that situation. Those are the voices in the crowd trying to silence Bartimaeus from calling out to Jesus. Participate in politics – absolutely. That’s our civic and moral duty. But we can’t allow our politics to drown out the voice of Bartimaeus. We cannot allow politics to prevent us from carrying out our Christian duty to bring comfort to those in need.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.

Jesus stopped and called for Bartimaeus. Reflecting on your most recent experiences, how likely are you to stop and acknowledge Bartimaeus in your life?

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be. 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. 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: Unknown. JPG file.

References:
1. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Signs of the kingdom: 547-50
2. Ministerial and common priesthood: 901, 1545-7
3. Priesthood of the old covenant: 1539-43
4. Priesthood of Christ: 1544-5
5. Jesus hears our prayer: 2616

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102421.cfm
Lectionary: 149

Reading 1
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Thus says the LORD:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back
from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world,
with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with child;
they shall return as an immense throng.
They departed in tears,
but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel,
Ephraim is my first-born.

Responsorial
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
R. (3) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Reading 2
Hebrews 5:1-6
Brothers and sisters:
Every high priest is taken from among men
and made their representative before God,
to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,
for he himself is beset by weakness
and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself
as well as for the people.
No one takes this honor upon himself
but only when called by God,
just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
but rather the one who said to him:
You are my son:
this day I have begotten you;
just as he says in another place:
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.

Alleluia
Cf. 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

drawing of a woman touching Jesus' clothes

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24
Responsorial: Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13
Reading 2: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062721.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

In today’s Gospel we hear the familiar story about a woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years. According to Scripture, she also suffered at the hands of her doctors spending everything she had.

Can you imagine what that must have been like? I’m sure there are people among our family and friends who’ve spent fortunes trying to address a medical issue, not making any progress. Add to that the cultural issue, and we can begin to understand her distress.

You see, in that culture, the woman’s hemorrhages – her blood – made her ritually impure. No one should touch her or else they would also become ritually impure. Not only was she kept at arms length by those who had to interact with her, but she was probably ostracized by friends and family who didn’t want to risk it. Scholars suggest that a person in her situation probably had to avoid the market and the well during peak times lest they accidentally touch someone.

She was desperate and alone.

Maybe she heard about a teacher who was healing people in the name of God as he traveled. She probably figured she had nothing to lose. She surrendered herself to God and ventured out into the crowd – out where she wasn’t supposed to go. A person like this was probably skilled and trying to go unnoticed – at being invisible. Her survival depended on it.

But should she risk her life? Motivated by her faith, she convinced herself that if she touched Jesus’s clothes, that would be enough. She would be healed. Risking everything, she reached out.

As soon as she touched Him, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” Scripture tells us that the woman approached Jesus in fear and trembling. She’d broken the rules and she knew it!

Can you picture the crowd? Did they begin to realize what had happened? As people began to realize what happened, their faces probably filled with surprise, anger, rage even. The woman, Scripture says, was fearful.

What does Jesus say? “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

Wow! Her faith saved her! But that’s not the only takeaway. Jesus’ words are a testimony against all the people in the crowd who had rejected the woman. Once again we see that the ritual law had been distorted. The purpose of the Law is to know, love and serve the Lord. Any idea that the ritual – that church – is more important than serving someone in need does not understand what it means to love and serve God!

The irony of this story is not that woman needed to be healed, but that the people who rejected this woman were the ones in need of healing. They were the ones in need of saving. But unlike this woman who was filled with faith, they had not reached out and surrendered themselves to God.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, are there people around us in our community who we write off because they’re different from us like the homeless or immigrants or addicts?
Second, turn to God in prayer and ask for the grace to serve those on the margins.

I think doing our homework will help us be the missionary disciples we are called to be! 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: Artist Unknown. JPEG.

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. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
3. Stegman, Thomas D. SJ. Second Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus raises the dead: 548-9, 646, 994
2. Death transformed by Christ: 1009-14
3. Hope for a new heaven and a new earth: 1042-50
4. Collection at Mass: 1351
5. Jesus hears our prayer: 2616
6. Sharing of material and spiritual goods: 2833

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062721.cfm
Lectionary: 98

Reading 1
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.

Responsorial
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

Reading 2
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Brothers and sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not have more,
and whoever had little did not have less.

Alleluia
Cf. 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”
But his disciples said to Jesus,
“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

OR:

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
“My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live.”
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.

While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,
“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
“Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep.”
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child’s father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”
which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Be Healed!

picture of two angry couples sitting on a coach

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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.