Daily Readings - Sun Feb 11 2024
Leviticus
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.
Mark
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of isolation, compassion, and the call to live in a way that glorifies God. In the first reading from Leviticus, we hear about the ritual purity laws surrounding leprosy, which required those afflicted to live outside the camp, separated from the community. This was not only a physical isolation but also a spiritual one, as the leper was considered unclean and unable to participate in worship. The reading reminds us of the deep human need for connection and the pain of exclusion.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a stark contrast to the isolation of the leper in Leviticus. Jesus encounters a leper who begs for healing, and instead of rejecting him, Jesus reaches out with compassion. The touch of Jesus’ hand and his words, “I am willing. Be cleansed,” demonstrate a radical love that transcends societal norms and religious rules. This act of healing not only restores the leper physically but also reintegrates him into the community. It shows us that God’s love is not about exclusion but about inclusion and restoration.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians ties these themes together. Paul encourages the Corinthians to live in a way that seeks the good of others, imitating Christ who emptied himself for the sake of the world. Like Jesus, we are called to reach out to those on the margins, to touch the untouchable, and to bring healing and hope. In our daily lives, this means being mindful of how we treat others, especially those who feel isolated or excluded. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s love, breaking down barriers and building a community where everyone feels valued and included.