Feb. 15, 2015 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - I do will it, be made clean.

Reading 1 Lv 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 Ps 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 Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 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 the 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.

 

 

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”

Why did Jesus touch the man with leprosy in order to heal him?  Remember this is God, who created the universe with a mere word! Could not God have simply glanced at the man, or with a thought a word, healed him; of course He could of: but he chose not to!  Jesus instead reaches out to touch him in order that he is healed.  There are two very important points to consider; one, Jesus wants to have a personal and intimate relationship with us all.  He extends His hand to us, reaches out to us, and seeks each and every one of us!  Sick or healthy, Jesus wants to be at the center of our heart; the meaning of our life!  Secondly, in a very special way our Lord is exhibiting His awesome power!  You see, in ancient times the sick were considered “impure”; they were marginalized, ostracized from the community; the law forbade them to have contact with the “righteous”.  Jesus comes to say, I AM THE LAW!  I can touch the sick, the “impure” and make them healthy again!  Sisters and brothers; do you allow the Lord to touch your heart?  Do you allow the Lord to make you spiritually healthy?  Let us turn to the Lord and be filled with the Joy of His Salvation!