＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron,

 “If someone has a boil, an inflammation or a sore on his skin which could develop into leprosy, he must be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of the priests, his descendants.  This means that the man is leprous: he is unclean. The priest shall declare him unclean; he is suffering from leprosy of the head.

 A person infected with leprosy must wear torn clothing and leave his hair uncombed; he must cover his upper lip and cry, “Unclean, un­clean.”   As long as the disease lasts he must be unclean; and therefore he must live away from others: he must live outside the camp.

 

Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11

I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

 Then, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Give no offense to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do not seek my own interest, but that of many, this is: that they be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 1:40-45

 A leper came to Jesus and beg­ged him, “If you so will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean. 

As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, “Don’t tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way you will make your declaration.”

 However, as soon as the man went out, he began spread­­ing the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from every­­where.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Read :

A leper dared to approach Jesus for healing. His prayers were answered with a strict warning that he does not mention the incident to anyone. He was also enjoined to fulfill the law that he submit to the inspection of the priests so that he would be declared clean.

But he sang the praises of Jesus instead thereby making it difficult for Jesus to go openly to any town, or remain anonymous even in rural areas.

Reflet :

When the leper’s audacity brings healing, Jesus gives him a set of instructions on what to do. All of these he did afterwards except one, the prohibition not to tell anyone of what happened.

As soon as he leaves, he sings the praises of Jesus so much so, that the latter could not move openly in th eland. Many seek Him to benefit from His miraculous capacity to heal people. This is very true even in our present time.

People could not contain the good things that God does in their lives. They have to share and proclaim it to others. That is why, those who have nothing to say on how good the Lord is to them do not understand their lives.

Or perhaps are insensitive to the presence of God in them. The cured leper is a joyful fellow. He believes and gets the cure. His praise and thanksgiving comes from a grateful heart that has experienced God’s loving kindness.

Respond :

We need to sing the goodness of God in our lives. But first we have to be aware of them. So why don’t we sit down today and reflect on the many wonderful blessings that God poured in our lives and start sharing about them to anyone and everyone.

Let it be joyful and energetic. For to whom God bestows His loving kindness, life flows back in full vigor.