New Light

 

The WORD today reminds me how Jesus love and power changes things. 

In the first reading, we see the biblical foundation of why those with leprosy are called unclean and are outcast of society. It was God himself who told Moses and Aaron how to handle lepers or unclean people. However, it is interesting to see that in the gospel, we see a new light on that when Jesus healed a leper. By touching the leper, Jesus did not become unclean, rather the leper was made clean. Jesus even referenced to the first reading when he told the leper to do as Moses prescribed.

Jesus love and power is more than enough to clean and heal us.

In the old testament, people saw God as a strict and punishing God. In the new testament, Jesus came to show us how loving and powerful God is. He changed the way people saw God, and until today, he is reminding us to just come to Him for us to be made clean.  He is reminding us that we will not be punished and exiled if we come to him dirty and unclean, but rather be healed and brought back with God’s people. We just need to come to him with a humble, repentant and faith-filled heart.

The psalmist reminds us what we should do in times of troubles – turn to God. And we are reminded by Saint Paul to do everything for the glory of God, especially when we get what we pray for and when we experience God’s goodness in our lives. 

What are my concerns in life? How do I see God? Am I scared of Him? Do I see him as a punitive and strict God like how people saw him in the first reading? Or do I see him as a powerful yet loving God, as shown by Jesus in the gospel? 

May we remember these things as we live everyday, and humbly turn to Jesus.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the reminder of how powerful and loving you are. Lord, I am sorry for the times I do not turn to you for help. Sorry when I find refuge in other ways, in other people. Help me be like the leper that I may humbly, repentantly, and in faith come to you knowing that your love and power is greater than any of my sins and sickness. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

February 14, 2021

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time; St. Cyril and St. Methodius & St. Valentine

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FIRST READING

Leviticus 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.”

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 11 (7)

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.

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SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 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.

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ALLELUIA

Luke 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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GOSPEL

Mark 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.