Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 11, 2018
First Reading: Leviticus 13.1-2, 45-46
1And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying2The man in whose skin or flesh there will have arisen a diverse color, or a pustule, or something that seems to shine, which is the mark of leprosy, shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to anyone you wish among his sons45shall have his clothes unstitched, his head bare, his mouth covered with a cloth, and he himself shall cry out that he is contaminated and filthy46The entire time that he is a leper and unclean he shall live alone outside the camp
Psalm 32
1The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit3Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long4For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing5I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, "I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord," and you forgave the impiety of my sin6For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him7You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me8I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you9Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you10Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord11Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.31 – 11.1
31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you may do, do everything for the glory of God32Be without offense toward the Jews, and toward the Gentiles, and toward the Church of God33just as I also, in all things, please everyone, not seeking what is best for myself, but what is best for many others, so that they may be saved
1Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ
Gospel: Mark 1.40-45
40And a leper came to him, begging him. And kneeling down, he said to him, "If you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.41Then Jesus, taking pity on him, reached out his hand. And touching him, he said to him: "I am willing. Be cleansed.42And after he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed43And he admonished him, and he promptly sent him away44And he said to him: "See to it that you tell no one. But go and show yourself to the high priest, and offer for your cleansing that which Moses instructed, as a testimony for them.45But having departed, he began to preach and to disseminate the word, so that he was no longer able to openly enter a city, but had to remain outside, in deserted places. And they were gathered to him from every direction
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter themes of isolation, compassion, and the call to live as imitators of Christ. The first reading from Leviticus describes the ritual impurity of leprosy, emphasizing the physical and social separation of those afflicted. This was not only a health precaution but also a religious designation, reflecting the understanding of sin and uncleanness in ancient Israel. The leper was forced to live outside the camp, a visible reminder of the consequences of impurity.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a stark contrast as Jesus encounters a leper. While the law in Leviticus required isolation, Jesus reaches out with compassion, touching the leper and healing him. This act of love transcends the boundaries of ritual purity, showing that God’s mercy and restoration are available to all, regardless of their condition. Yet, Jesus instructs the healed leper to follow the Mosaic law by presenting himself to the priests, demonstrating that his healing is not a rejection of tradition but a fulfillment of it.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians bridges these ideas, urging believers to live in a way that glorifies God and seeks the good of others. Just as Jesus reached out to the leper, we are called to imitate Christ by being compassionate and selfless. This means avoiding actions that might offend others and instead seeking to build up the community. In our daily lives, we are challenged to move beyond the boundaries that separate us—whether they be social, cultural, or spiritual—and to embrace those on the margins with the same love and humility that Jesus showed the leper. Let us strive to be instruments of healing and reconciliation, reflecting the heart of Christ in all we do.