The 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This weekend is Saturday the 13 and Sunday the 14 February, beginning the 6th week of Ordinary time.  

Paul Zach sings ‘For God Alone’. Can you make these words from Psalm 62 your own today?  

This weekend’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.  

Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

In this interaction between Jesus and a man who asks to be made clean, we see trust and faith from the leper, and compassion and willingness to act from Jesus. As you look on this scene what strikes you most?

Why is this? How can you tell that the man has been made clean?
What difference has the presence of Jesus made? Jesus asks the man he heals not to tell anyone what has happened, but to show himself to the priest and make an offering. Why do you think Jesus says this?

Why doesn’t the man obey him?   As you listen again imagine yourself kneeling beside the leper.   Jesus turns his attention to you, looking at you with deep compassion, and listening to your request. What do you want Jesus to do for you?

Ask him now. If you are able to, make an offering this week in thanksgiving for all that Jesus has done.  

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.