Mass Reflection: Sunday, 14th February 2021

 February 14, 2021 — Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

LV 13:1-2, 44-46; PS 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 COR 10:31-11:1; MK 1:40-45

Our readings today prepare us for the penitential season of Lent that we are about to enter. They call us to consider what our Lenten journey might be like — an opportunity to be healed and cleansed on our journey as disciples of Christ. 
 
Our First Reading and our Gospel are tied closely together. In the book of Leviticus, the Lord tells Moses and Aaron in regard to a person with leprosy that “As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean… He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.” It was said that if a man had visible skin diseases, he would have to show himself to the priest who would declare him clean or unclean. If declared unclean, he would reside outside the community, separating himself from the rest.  
 
Now in our Gospel, a leper came to Jesus, knelt before Him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched this diseased man and healed him. He then encouraged the man to show himself to the priest and offer himself a cleansing, referencing what was commanded in the Law of Moses. By completing these rituals, this man might be reinstituted into the community.   
 
Let us approach this holy season of Lent like the leper. We are filled with sores and wounds — namely, our sins. By our faults, we have distanced ourselves from God and His community. The leper reminds us Who to go to so that we might be healed. Let us approach the Lord this season on our knees asking for forgiveness and healing from our offenses, saying, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” There is no doubt that, if we have a contrite heart, Jesus will stretch out His hand in forgiveness and His mercy will touch our lives.  
 
And like the leper, we too should go forth from being healed with a commitment to cleanse ourselves from the lasting effects of sin. Lent is a time to offer acts of reparation through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving so that we might be purified in all areas of our life and walk with the Gracious Healer, Who sacrificed His life for our sake. Let us commit to spending extra time with our Lord in prayer — He will purify the heart that has been wounded. Let us fast from something that competes for our attention or holds us back from our relationship with God. As we offer that sacrifice to the Lord, we will be filled with freedom and peace, and will be strengthened in the face of temptation. And let us give alms to God in thanksgiving for His gifts that He has poured out on us. It will remind us that everything we have is a gift from God — everything good comes from Him, and we want to share every aspect of our lives with Him.
 
Let us approach this holy season of Lent as an opportunity to be healed and cleansed. As we prepare for Ash Wednesday this week, reflect on the sores and wounds that we can bring to the Lord during this season. He is ready to stretch out His hand to heal us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And let us consider what we can do to offer acts of reparation so that we might be purified and one day partake in the resurrection of Christ. 

Mass Reading: Sunday, 14th February 2021

First reading
Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46

The unclean man must live outside the camp

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘If a swelling or scab or shiny spot appears on a man’s skin, a case of leprosy of the skin is to be suspected. The man must be taken to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests who are his sons.

  ‘The man is leprous: he is unclean. The priest must declare him unclean; he is suffering from leprosy of the head. A man infected with leprosy must wear his clothing torn and his hair disordered; he must shield his upper lip and cry, “Unclean, unclean.” As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live apart: he must live outside the camp.’

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 31(32):1-2,5,11

You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Happy the man whose offence is forgiven,

  whose sin is remitted.

O happy the man to whom the Lord

  imputes no guilt,

  in whose spirit is no guile.

You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.

But now I have acknowledged my sins;

  my guilt I did not hide.

I said: ‘I will confess

  my offence to the Lord.’

And you, Lord, have forgiven

  the guilt of my sin.

You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,

  exult, you just!

O come, ring out your joy,

  all you upright of heart.

You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Second reading
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 ·

Take me for your model, as I take Christ

Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it for the glory of God. Never do anything offensive to anyone – to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God; just as I try to be helpful to everyone at all times, not anxious for my own advantage but for the advantage of everybody else, so that they may be saved. Take me for your model, as I take Christ.

The word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation	cf.Ep1:17,18

Alleluia, alleluia!

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

enlighten the eyes of our mind,

so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.

Alleluia!

Or:	Lk7:16

Alleluia, alleluia!

A great prophet has appeared among us;

God has visited his people.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Mark 1:40-45

The leprosy left the man at once, and he was cured

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.

The Gospel of the Lord.