Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 77
Lectionary: 77
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.”
“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 PsalmPS 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.
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 21 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.
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.
AlleluiaLK 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 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.
“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.
Scripture Study, Feb.
15, 2015
February 15, 2015
Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time
This week the first and third readings give us
a picture of the human condition and its remedy. Through the centuries, leprosy
was used as a general term for many skin illnesses and conditions that were
considered dangerous, contagious, unclean and often a punishment for sin. In
the bible leprosy is often symbolic of sin. The traditional view was that by
touching somebody who is unclean one becomes unclean too. In Jesus’ case it
works backwards; the leper that He touches becomes clean. The same kind of
compassion is supposed to be exhibited by us who form the body of Christ in the
world today. Who are the lepers that I avoid in my life ? Do I avoid reaching
out to them with the love of Christ? Paul, in the second reading, urges his
readers to be considerate of others. How well do I avoid giving offense?
First Reading: Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “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. 44 (If) the man is leprous and unclean, and the priest shall
declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. 45 “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!’ 46 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.
NOTES on First Reading:
* 13:2-46 This section deals with many types
of skin blemishes and diseases which were not contagious but simply
disqualified their victims from association with others, especially in public
worship, until they were declared ritually clean. These diseases were lumped
together with others which were contagious under the name of leprosy. The
Hebrew term usually did not refer to Hansen’s disease which currently is the
only illness that is properly called leprosy.
In ancient Israel, there was no public health
service. In the case of these skin diseases this function was filled, to some
extent, by the priests. In doing so however, they did not act as physicians but
as judges and interpreters of the law. In the Old Testament there are only two
cases of someone being cured of leprosy. One was Naaman who was healed by God
through the ministry of Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-27) and the other was Miriam,
Moses’ sister who was healed by God when Moses prayed for her (Num 12:9-15).
* 13:44 The word “if”, at the beginning of the
verse has been added by the Lectionary due to the verses (3-43) that were left
out.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
everything for the glory of God. 32 Avoid giving
offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 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.
11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* 10:31 This verse parallels the exhortation
of 6:20.
* 10:32 The community has a missionary
responsibility to enable conversion not simply avoid creating stumbling blocks.
* 10:33 This verse summarizes Paul’s
missionary stance. It does not really contradict Gal 1:10 or 1 Thes 2:4
although it may appear to at first. One cannot reach out to those who are
running away from him.
* 11:1 Christ is the ideal of humanity that
all should strive to imitate but since He is not visible, Paul must mirror the
“life of Jesus” (2 Cor 4:10)so that those to whom he preaches may imitate him
whom they can see. This is a common theme in Paul (1 Cor 4:16; Gal 4:12; Phil
3:17; 4:9; 1 Thes 1:6; 2:14).
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:40-45
40 A leper came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and
said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him,
and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then 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.” 45 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.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 1:40 For a leper to approach a Rabbi was a
violation of the Law as given in Lev 13:45-46. The leper approaches Jesus and
acknowledges that Jesus can make him clean. It is likely that he is asking for
a cure and not simply a declaration that he is clean. The ambiguity may be
intended in order to implicate Jesus in the role of the priests.
* 1:41 The same law forbidding the leper to be
among the people also forbid Jesus from reaching out to touch the leper but
Jesus did just that. The word used for “moved with compassion” is one
associated with a bowel wrenching reaction. Much more vivid than simple
compassion. Something akin to anger. It is a very strong emotion. Same word is
used of Jesus at Lazarus’ tomb when he wept. It may be that the evil, death or
illness or sin, causes this reaction in Jesus because it is not compatible with
His presence and so He always removes it.
* 1:44 This may be part of Mark’s device of a
Messianic Secret. Or Jesus may simply have meant for the man to lose no time on
his way to the priests but to go without stopping to talk to everyone on the
way. Jewish rites of hospitality were long and complex. The procedure for
sacrifice and reentry into society after leprosy are given in Lev 13:9-17,
13:1-32.
* 1:45 Jesus’ movements become as restricted
as the leper’s movements had been before the cure. Nevertheless His work
continues because the people come to Him.
The rabbis of the time considered the cure of a leper to be as great a miracle as raising the dead. That is why everyone got so excited. In the Old Testament there were only two healings of leprosy: Num 12:10-15, 2 Kings 5:1-14.
The rabbis of the time considered the cure of a leper to be as great a miracle as raising the dead. That is why everyone got so excited. In the Old Testament there were only two healings of leprosy: Num 12:10-15, 2 Kings 5:1-14.
Meditation: The
Lord Jesus can make me clean
Do you seek the Lord Jesus with expectant faith? No one who
sought Jesus out was refused his help. Even the untouchables and the outcasts
of Jewish society found help in him. Unlike the people of Jesus' time who fled
at the sight of a leper, Jesus touched the leper who approached him and he made
him whole and clean. Why was this so remarkable? Lepers were outcasts of
society. They were driven from their homes and communities and left to fend for
themselves. Their physical condition was terrible as they slowly lost the use
of their limbs and withered away. They were not only shunned but regarded as
"already dead" even by their relatives. The Jewish law forbade anyone
from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur.
This leper did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus
confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally
a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a
rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the
personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The
medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for
incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender
kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more
eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean - not only
physically but spiritually as well.
How do you approach those who are difficult to love, or who are
shunned by others because they are deformed or have some defect? Do you show
them kindness and offer them mercy and help as Jesus did? The Lord is always
ready to show us his mercy and to free us from whatever makes us unclean,
unapproachable, or unloving towards others.
Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with your love and make me clean
and whole in body, mind, and spirit. May I never doubt your love nor cease to
tell others of your mercy and compassion."
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 15,
MARK 1:40-45
(Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 10:31--11:1)
KEY VERSE: "I do will it. Be made clean" (v 41).
(Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 10:31--11:1)
KEY VERSE: "I do will it. Be made clean" (v 41).
TO KNOW: In the time of Jesus, leprosy (Hebrew, tzara) was not only modern Hansen’s disease, but any number of skin diseases. These were temporary conditions that were usually not fatal. Leprosy was seen as punishment for sins involving speech or language such as gossip and slander. Leprosy could also be mold or mildew, which affected fabrics and houses. Since it was thought that persons or objects with leprosy could contaminate others, they were separated from the community for the good of all. Quarantined from healthy members of society, lepers were forced to live apart from family, friends and the community. One such leper dared to approach Jesus and humbly beg to be healed. Jesus was filled with compassion, and he touched the man even though contact with leprosy made one "unclean." Then Jesus sent the man to the priest who alone could pronounce him cured (Lv 14:1-32). Jesus was concerned that his miracles might be misinterpreted as wonder-working, so he admonished the man not to speak of the healing. But the man could not restrain himself and proclaimed the good news to everyone. Now it was Jesus who was forced to live on the outskirts of town.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, I humbly ask you to heal me of my afflictions.
TO SERVE: Do I tell others of the Lord's mercy?
Sunday 15 February 2015
6th Sunday in Ordinary
Time. G.
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation—Ps 31(32):1-2, 5, 11. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1. Mark 1:40-45.
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation—Ps 31(32):1-2, 5, 11. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1. Mark 1:40-45.
Be glad in the Lord and
rejoice.
Imagine the absolute joy
radiating from the leper after Jesus had healed him. The psalmist, too, speaks
of such joy after being rescued by God from his sinful ways.
Such fullness of spirit is
not meant to be contained. We are called to pass on this joy to those we meet.
Attending a number of wedding ceremonies recently, I was reminded of that
initial joy at the newness of marriage. The couples involved were absolutely
glowing with happiness.
Of course, not all
marriages continue to be filled with such wonderful experiences. In our
relationship with God there are also problems along the way. At such times, we
need to remember our sense of joy and wonder when God filled us to overflowing
with his love for the first time. Those around us will certainly notice!
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Pray Like Crazy
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We should make it our daily mission to pray for the souls of our
young people, particularly for the young individuals He has entrusted to our
care in some way.
February
15
St. Claude de la Colombière
(1641-1682)
St. Claude de la Colombière
(1641-1682)
This is a special day for the Jesuits, who claim today’s saint as
one of their own. It’s also a special day for people who have a special
devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion Claude de la Colombière
promoted, along with his friend and spiritual companion, St. Margaret Mary
Alacoque. The emphasis on God’s love for all was an antidote to the rigorous
moralism of the Jansenists, who were popular at the time.
Claude
showed remarkable preaching skills long before his ordination in 1675. Two
months later he was made superior of a small Jesuit residence in Burgundy. It
was there he first encountered Margaret Mary Alacoque. For many years after he
served as her confessor.
He was
next sent to England to serve as confessor to the Duchess of York. He preached
by both words and by the example of his holy life, converting a number of
Protestants. Tensions arose against Catholics and Claude, rumored to be part of
a plot against the king, was imprisoned. He was ultimately banished, but by
then his health had been ruined.
He died
in 1682. Pope John Paul II canonized Claude de la Colombière in 1992.
LECTIO DIVINA:
6TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Jesus heals a leperReintroducing the marginalized into human
society
Mark 1:40-45
Mark 1:40-45
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures
with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In
the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the
presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the
cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life
and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
The Gospel of this sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time tells us how
Jesus receives a leper. In those days, lepers were the most excluded people of
society, avoided by all. Lepers could not take part in anything. In olden days,
the lack of effective medicines, the fear of contagion and the necessity of
defending the life of society, led people to isolate and exclude lepers.
Besides, among the people of God whose defence of the gift of life was one of
the most sacred duties, they thought that the exclusion of lepers was a divine
duty because it was the only way to defend the community from deadly contagion.
Thus, in Israel, the leper felt impure and excluded not only by society, but
even by God (cfr. Lev 14:1-32). Gradually, however, as better remedies came to
light and above all thanks to the deep experience communicated to us by Jesus
concerning God our Father, lepers began to be accepted and reintegrated as
brothers and sisters in human society.
In spite of two thousand years of Christianity, the exclusion and marginalization of some categories of people goes on even today, whether in society or in the Church. For instance, those suffering from AIDS, migrants, homosexuals, divorced persons, etc. Today, in your society and in the Church, which are categories of excluded and avoided people? With these questions in mind, let us read and meditate the Gospel of this Sunday.
In spite of two thousand years of Christianity, the exclusion and marginalization of some categories of people goes on even today, whether in society or in the Church. For instance, those suffering from AIDS, migrants, homosexuals, divorced persons, etc. Today, in your society and in the Church, which are categories of excluded and avoided people? With these questions in mind, let us read and meditate the Gospel of this Sunday.
b) A division of the text as a help to our reading:
Mark 1:40: The state of abandonment and exclusion of a leper
Mark 1:41-42: Jesus welcomes and heals the leper
Mark 1:43-44: Reintroducing those excluded into fraternal society
Mark 1:45: The leper proclaims the good Jesus did to him and Jesus becomes an excluded
Mark 1:41-42: Jesus welcomes and heals the leper
Mark 1:43-44: Reintroducing those excluded into fraternal society
Mark 1:45: The leper proclaims the good Jesus did to him and Jesus becomes an excluded
c) Text:
40 A man suffering from a virulent skin-disease came to him and
pleaded on his knees saying, 'If you are willing, you can cleanse me.' 41
Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to
him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed.' 42 And at once the skin-disease left him and
he was cleansed. 43 And at once Jesus sternly sent him away and said to him, 44
'Mind you tell no one anything, but go and show yourself to the priest, and
make the offering for your cleansing prescribed by Moses as evidence to them.'
45 The man went away, but then started freely proclaiming and telling the story
everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed
outside in deserted places. Even so, people from all around kept coming to him.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate and enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) What did you like best and what touched you most in this
text? Why?
b) How does this text express the exclusion of lepers?
c) How does Jesus welcome, heal and reinstate the leper? Try to observe carefully each detail.
d) How can we, today, imitate Jesus’ attitude towards those excluded?
b) How does this text express the exclusion of lepers?
c) How does Jesus welcome, heal and reinstate the leper? Try to observe carefully each detail.
d) How can we, today, imitate Jesus’ attitude towards those excluded?
5. For those who wish to go deeper into the theme
A) The context of then and of today:
Whether in the 70’s, when Mark was writing, or today in our
times, it was and still is very important to hold to some criteria or models to
know how to live and proclaim the Good News of God, and how to carry out our
mission as Christians. In verses 16 to 45 of the first chapter, Mark, in
gathering together eight episodes, describes how Jesus proclaimed the Good
News. Each episode contains a criterion for the community of his time, so that
people then could examine their own mission. This Sunday’s text makes concrete
the eighth criterion: “reinstating those excluded”. Here is the overall scheme
to clarify what follows:
TEXT
ACTIVITIES OF JESUS
AIM OF THE GOOD NEWS
Mark 1:16-20
Jesus calls his first disciples
forming community
Mark 1:21-22
The people are in amazement of his teaching
creating a critical conscience
Mark 1:23-28
Jesus drives out an evil spirit
fighting against the power of evil
Mark 1:29-31
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law
restoring life through service
Mark 1:32-34
The healing of the sick and those possessed by devils
welcoming the marginalized
Mark 1:35
Jesus gets up to pray while it is still dark
staying united with the Father
Mark 1:36-39
Jesus goes on proclaiming the Good News
not allowing results to stop us
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus heals a leper
reinstating those excluded
ACTIVITIES OF JESUS
AIM OF THE GOOD NEWS
Mark 1:16-20
Jesus calls his first disciples
forming community
Mark 1:21-22
The people are in amazement of his teaching
creating a critical conscience
Mark 1:23-28
Jesus drives out an evil spirit
fighting against the power of evil
Mark 1:29-31
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law
restoring life through service
Mark 1:32-34
The healing of the sick and those possessed by devils
welcoming the marginalized
Mark 1:35
Jesus gets up to pray while it is still dark
staying united with the Father
Mark 1:36-39
Jesus goes on proclaiming the Good News
not allowing results to stop us
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus heals a leper
reinstating those excluded
b) A commentary on the text:
Mark 1:40: The state of abandonment and exclusion of a
leper
A leper approaches Jesus. He was an excluded, impure! He was to be sent away from human society. Anyone who came close to him would also be impure. But the leper had much courage. He broke the rules of religion so as to approach Jesus. He says: If you are willing, you can cleanse me! Or: “There is no need for you to touch me! If you are just willing that is enough to heal me! This sentence reveals to evils: 1) the evil of the disease called leprosy that made him impure; 2) the evil of solitude to which he was condemned by society and religion. It also reveals the great faith people had in the power of Jesus.
A leper approaches Jesus. He was an excluded, impure! He was to be sent away from human society. Anyone who came close to him would also be impure. But the leper had much courage. He broke the rules of religion so as to approach Jesus. He says: If you are willing, you can cleanse me! Or: “There is no need for you to touch me! If you are just willing that is enough to heal me! This sentence reveals to evils: 1) the evil of the disease called leprosy that made him impure; 2) the evil of solitude to which he was condemned by society and religion. It also reveals the great faith people had in the power of Jesus.
Mark 1:41-42: By receiving and healing the leper, Jesus
reveals a new face of God
Deeply compassionate, Jesus heals both evils. Firstly, to heal the evil of solitude, he touches the leper. It is as though he said to him: "For me you are not an excluded. I welcome you as a brother!" Secondly, he heals the disease called leprosy saying: I am willing. Be cleansed! In order to come into contact with Jesus, the leper had broken the rules of the law. For Jesus to be able to help this excluded one and thus reveal a new face of God, he broke the laws of his religion and touches the leper. In those days, anyone who touched a leper became impure in the sight of the religious authorities and before the law of that time.
Deeply compassionate, Jesus heals both evils. Firstly, to heal the evil of solitude, he touches the leper. It is as though he said to him: "For me you are not an excluded. I welcome you as a brother!" Secondly, he heals the disease called leprosy saying: I am willing. Be cleansed! In order to come into contact with Jesus, the leper had broken the rules of the law. For Jesus to be able to help this excluded one and thus reveal a new face of God, he broke the laws of his religion and touches the leper. In those days, anyone who touched a leper became impure in the sight of the religious authorities and before the law of that time.
Mark 1:43-44: Reinstating those excluded into fraternal
life
Not only does Jesus heal, but he wills that the healed person be able to live with others. Reinstating a person to society. In those days, for a leper to be received within the community, he or she had to have a declaration of healing from a priest. Thus it was written in the law concerning the purification of a leper (Lev. 14: 1-32). This still happens today. The sick person leaves hospital with a letter signed by the doctor of a particular section. Jesus obliges the leper to get the document from the competent authority so that he may be reinstated into normal society. He is thus obliging the authorities to confirm that the man had been healed.
Not only does Jesus heal, but he wills that the healed person be able to live with others. Reinstating a person to society. In those days, for a leper to be received within the community, he or she had to have a declaration of healing from a priest. Thus it was written in the law concerning the purification of a leper (Lev. 14: 1-32). This still happens today. The sick person leaves hospital with a letter signed by the doctor of a particular section. Jesus obliges the leper to get the document from the competent authority so that he may be reinstated into normal society. He is thus obliging the authorities to confirm that the man had been healed.
Mark 1:45: The leper proclaims the good that Jesus
worked for him and Jesus becomes an excluded
Jesus had forbidden the leper from speaking of his healing. But the leper did speak. The leper started freely proclaiming and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed away in desert places. Why did Jesus stay away in desert places? Jesus had touched the leper. Thus, according to opinion in those days, now he was impure and had to live away from all. He could not enter any city. But Mark implies that people did not much care about official rules, because people from all around kept coming to him! A complete turn over!
The double news that Mark conveys to the communities of his time and to all of us is: 1) that proclaiming the Good News means witnessing to the concrete experience that one has of Jesus. What does the leper proclaim? He proclaims to others the good that Jesus did to him. That’s all! And it is precisely this witness that drives others to accept the Good News of God that Jesus proclaims. Anyone who has no experience of Jesus will have little to proclaim to others. 2) To take the Good News to others one need not fear breaking religious rules that are contrary to God’s plan and that render communication, dialogue and a life of love difficult. Even if such an attitude may create difficulties for people as it did for Jesus!
Jesus had forbidden the leper from speaking of his healing. But the leper did speak. The leper started freely proclaiming and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but stayed away in desert places. Why did Jesus stay away in desert places? Jesus had touched the leper. Thus, according to opinion in those days, now he was impure and had to live away from all. He could not enter any city. But Mark implies that people did not much care about official rules, because people from all around kept coming to him! A complete turn over!
The double news that Mark conveys to the communities of his time and to all of us is: 1) that proclaiming the Good News means witnessing to the concrete experience that one has of Jesus. What does the leper proclaim? He proclaims to others the good that Jesus did to him. That’s all! And it is precisely this witness that drives others to accept the Good News of God that Jesus proclaims. Anyone who has no experience of Jesus will have little to proclaim to others. 2) To take the Good News to others one need not fear breaking religious rules that are contrary to God’s plan and that render communication, dialogue and a life of love difficult. Even if such an attitude may create difficulties for people as it did for Jesus!
c) Further information:
The eight criteria for evaluating the mission of the Community
A double slavery marked the situation of people at the time of
Jesus: the slavery of the official religion, upheld by the religious
authorities of the time, and the slavery of Herod’s politics, upheld by the
Roman Empire and supported by the whole organized system of exploitation and
repression. Because of all this, many of the people were excluded by religion
and by society. The contrary, therefore, of the fraternity that God dreamt of
for all! And it is precisely in this context that Jesus begins to carry out his
mission of proclaiming the Good News of God.
This Sunday’s Gospel is part of a broader literary unity (Mk 1:16-45). Apart from the description of the preparation of the Good News (Mk 1:1-13) and of the proclamation (Mk 1:14-15), Mark brings together eight activities of Jesus to describe his mission of proclamation of the Good News and to describe how the mission of the community should be (Mk 1:16-45). This is the same mission that Jesus received from the Father (Jn 20:21). Mark puts together these episodes, which were passed on orally in the communities, and links them together like old bricks in a new wall. These eight episodes are eight criteria that serve the community to revise and check whether they are carrying out their mission well. Let us see:
This Sunday’s Gospel is part of a broader literary unity (Mk 1:16-45). Apart from the description of the preparation of the Good News (Mk 1:1-13) and of the proclamation (Mk 1:14-15), Mark brings together eight activities of Jesus to describe his mission of proclamation of the Good News and to describe how the mission of the community should be (Mk 1:16-45). This is the same mission that Jesus received from the Father (Jn 20:21). Mark puts together these episodes, which were passed on orally in the communities, and links them together like old bricks in a new wall. These eight episodes are eight criteria that serve the community to revise and check whether they are carrying out their mission well. Let us see:
i) Mk 1:16-20: Creating community.
The first thing that Jesus does is to call people to follow him. A fundamental task of mission is to gather people around Jesus in order to create community.
The first thing that Jesus does is to call people to follow him. A fundamental task of mission is to gather people around Jesus in order to create community.
ii) Mk 1:21-22: Creating a critical
conscience.
The first thing that people see is the difference between the teaching of Jesus and that of the Scribes. Part of mission is to create a critical conscience in people, even in the face of the official religion.
The first thing that people see is the difference between the teaching of Jesus and that of the Scribes. Part of mission is to create a critical conscience in people, even in the face of the official religion.
iii) Mk 1:23-28: Fighting the power of evil.
Jesus’ first miracle is the driving out of an impure spirit. Part ofmission is fighting the power of evil that destroys life and alienates people from themselves.
Jesus’ first miracle is the driving out of an impure spirit. Part ofmission is fighting the power of evil that destroys life and alienates people from themselves.
iv) Mk 1:29-31: Restoring life through
service.
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, and she gets up and begins to serve. Part of mission is the care of the sick so that they may be able to get up and once more serve others.
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, and she gets up and begins to serve. Part of mission is the care of the sick so that they may be able to get up and once more serve others.
v) Mk 1:32-34: Welcoming the marginalized
After the Sabbath, people bring to Jesus the sick and the possessed that he may heal them, and, by laying his hands, he heals them all. Part of mission is to welcome the marginalized.
After the Sabbath, people bring to Jesus the sick and the possessed that he may heal them, and, by laying his hands, he heals them all. Part of mission is to welcome the marginalized.
vi) Mk 1:35: Staying united with the Father
through prayer.
After a day of labour that extends far into the night, Jesus gets up quickly so that he may pray in a desert place. Part of mission is staying united with the source of the Good News, that is the Father, through prayer.
After a day of labour that extends far into the night, Jesus gets up quickly so that he may pray in a desert place. Part of mission is staying united with the source of the Good News, that is the Father, through prayer.
vii) Mk 1:36-39: Keeping up an awareness of
mission.
The disciples were happy with the results and wanted Jesus to return. But he carried on with his journey. Part of mission is not to be content with results, but to keep alive an awareness of mission.
The disciples were happy with the results and wanted Jesus to return. But he carried on with his journey. Part of mission is not to be content with results, but to keep alive an awareness of mission.
viii) Mk 1:40-45: Reinstating the
marginalized into human society.
Jesus heals a leper and asks him to present himself to a priest so that he may be declared healed and may be able to live among people. Part of mission is reinstating the excluded to human society.
Jesus heals a leper and asks him to present himself to a priest so that he may be declared healed and may be able to live among people. Part of mission is reinstating the excluded to human society.
These eight points so well chosen by Mark, indicate the purpose
of the mission of Jesus: “I came that all may have life, and may have it
abundantly!” (Jn 10:10). These same eight points may serve to evaluate our own
community. Thus we can see how Mark built up his Gospel. A beautiful structure that
keeps in mind two thins at once: (1) it informs people of what Jesus did and
taught; (2) and it forms the community and people to the mission of proclaimers
and proclaimers of the Good News of God.
6. Praying a Psalm: Psalm 125 (124)
Anyone who trusts in the Lord will not waver!
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is like Mount Zion:
unshakeable, it stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains encircle her:
so Yahweh encircles his people,
henceforth and for ever.
The sceptre of the wicked will not come to rest
over the heritage of the upright;
or the upright might set their own hands to evil.
Do good, Yahweh,
to those who are good,
to the sincere at heart.
But the crooked, the twisted, turn them away,
Yahweh, with evil-doers. Peace to Israel!
unshakeable, it stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains encircle her:
so Yahweh encircles his people,
henceforth and for ever.
The sceptre of the wicked will not come to rest
over the heritage of the upright;
or the upright might set their own hands to evil.
Do good, Yahweh,
to those who are good,
to the sincere at heart.
But the crooked, the twisted, turn them away,
Yahweh, with evil-doers. Peace to Israel!
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has enabled us to
understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten our actions
and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word has revealed to us.
May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also practice the Word.
You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever
and ever. Amen.
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