Readings for Feb. 11, 2018: God's goodness & how to respond (Lectionary: 77)

Key:

What these passages tell us about God

What these passages tell us to do

Commentary/observations

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 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.

1.    God is exceedingly good:

A.   We may freely approach Him, even though we are unclean; He accepts us when others will not.  He desires to heal us (first reading & gospel).

B.    We may approach Him even though we have sinned; He desires to correct and forgive us (psalm).

C.    He wastes nothing. He uses even our difficulties. In today’s gospel He uses the leper’s situation to educate the priest.

D.   He blesses even those who are not terribly friendly to Him. The priests that He tried to educate in today’s gospel were among those who opposed Him most strenuously.

E.    God comes to us, even though we are far, far, beneath Him (alleluia verse).

2.    So how do today’s readings tell us to respond to that?

A.   Come to Him, do not hold back (psalm).

B.    Be open to and humble before Him about your sin/weaknesses/troubles (psalm)

C.    Rejoice in, enjoy, the manifestations of His mercy (psalm).

D.   Be careful not to get in the way of others’ ability to have the same  healing, access to/intimacy with God (second reading).