- Admin
- Feb 9, 2024
- 2 min read
Sunday February 11, 2024
Moved with pity, Jesus said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”
See
To us, leprosy or any serious skin condition is a medical and perhaps a cosmetic issue. In Jesus’ day, by contrast, such things entailed social exclusion and sufferer became literally untouchable. Hence the shock in the Gospel: he touched him. Before congratulating ourselves for not being so “primitive,” it might not be any harm to ask who are the marginalized and excluded in our own time and culture? The categories are wide: socio-economic groups, ethnicity, orientation, religion. Are there people I never encounter?
Listen
Psalm 32, I Turn To You, Lord
Reflect
(Mark 1:40-45)
-Jesus’ compassion for people’s suffering was an outstanding characteristic of his ministry. We see the healing power of God at work through him. Recall times when the compassion of others has had a healing effect on you. Remember also when your compassion towards someone in trouble brought them hope, healing or strength.
-“If you choose, you can make me clean”. Our choice is a key factor in how we affect others. We cannot choose to have no impact on the people in our lives. Even a choice to do nothing has an effect. When have you been particularly aware of the importance of your choice to be a positive influence on another?
-The leper was not just cured from a physical disease, he was also readmitted to contact with the community. Perhaps you recall people who were once ostracised being brought back into family or community. Who was the Jesus person who helped this healing to take place?
-The joy of the leper on being healed was such that he could not keep the good news to himself. Bring to mind occasions when you were so filled with good news that you could not keep it to yourself.
Pray
We come before you, O God, confident in Christ’s victory over sickness and death. Heal us again from sin, which divides us, and from prejudice, which isolates us. Bring us to wholeness of life through the pardon you grant your people. This prayer we make through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Act
-Show kindness and understanding: Consider the experiences of marginalized individuals and offer support to those facing discrimination or exclusion based on factors like socio-economic status, ethnicity, orientation, or religion.
-Diversify your social circles: Engage with people from diverse backgrounds to gain insight into their experiences and build meaningful connections that foster inclusivity and understanding.
-Challenge stereotypes: Reflect on your own biases and actively work to combat discrimination by questioning assumptions, educating yourself, and promoting respect and acceptance in your interactions with others.
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024p, February 11). Sixth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021124.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/