Daily Readings - Sun Feb 14 2021

¹The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,²"When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest.⁴⁵"The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!'⁴⁶As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.

1 Corinthians

Chapter 10

³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.³²Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God--³³even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Chapter 11

¹Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Mark

Chapter 1

⁴⁰A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."⁴¹Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"⁴²Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.⁴³Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:⁴⁴"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."⁴⁵Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

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.