Sunday, February 16, 2003
6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1^st Reading: Lev 13:1-2, 44-46

Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “If someone has a boil, an inflammation or a sore on his skin which could develop into leprosy, he must be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of the priests, his descendants.

“This means that the man is leprous: he is unclean. The priest shall declare him unclean; he is suffering from leprosy of the head.

“A person infected with leprosy must wear torn clothing and leave his hair uncombed; he must cover his upper lip and cry, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live away from others: he must live outside the camp.”

2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 10:31—1:1

Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do not seek my own interest, but that of many, this is: that they be saved.

Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.

Gospel: Mk 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and begged him, “If you so will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, “Don’t tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way you will make your declaration.”

However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.

Gospel Commentary

When the leper asked to be cured, he humbled himself and begged Jesus to heal him. He said, “If you so will….” He opened himself in humility to the will of Jesus. Knowing that he was an outcast and thus considered a sinner by society, he did not insist or demand but begged. He trusted Jesus and believed in Him, “…you make me clean.” Jesus has always willed that we may be clean and be part of the community. He is just waiting for us to accept our own “sickness” and ask for his cure. We always say that we trust him but unlike the leper, we sometimes fail to allow his will to happen to us, and trust that his will will always be the best for us.

Read also these beautiful: Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R. • Biblical Commentaries from Diario Biblico

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