Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 14, 2021
First Reading: Leviticus 13.1-2, 45-46
1The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,2"When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests,45"The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean.'46He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.
Psalm 32
1Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.3For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah5I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah6Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.7You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.10Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10.31 – 11.1
1Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Gospel: Mark 1.40-45
40And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."41Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.43And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,44and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them."45But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter themes of isolation, compassion, and the call to live as examples of Christ. The first reading from Leviticus describes the isolation of those afflicted with leprosy, emphasizing the need for purification and adherence to ritual laws. This context highlights the societal and religious barriers faced by lepers, who were often shunned and forced to live on the fringes of community life. In contrast, the Gospel from Mark presents a radical act of compassion: Jesus reaches out to a leper, touches him, and heals him. This act not only restores the man physically but also challenges the social and religious norms that had excluded him. Jesus’ command to the healed leper to follow Moses’ instructions serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians bridges these themes by emphasizing the call to live in a way that honors God and imitates Christ. Paul urges believers to avoid offense and to seek the good of others, even if it means personal sacrifice. This selfless approach to life reflects the same compassion and love that Jesus demonstrated in healing the leper. Together, these readings invite us to consider how we might break down barriers and reach out to those who feel isolated or marginalized in our own world.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How can we, like Jesus, show compassion to those who feel excluded or forgotten? How can we, like Paul, live in a way that reflects the love and mercy of Christ? May we be inspired to imitate Christ by reaching out to others with kindness and generosity, and may we always seek to bring healing and hope to a world in need.