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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - B - February 15, 2014
Cure of the Leper
Leprosy was a dreaded, but misunderstood disease. The illness we call leprosy is actually “Hansen’s disease,” a sometimes fatal but non-contagious ailment. Yet, quarantine was the treatment for those in the past. A leper dared to break that quarantine so he could receive a cure from Jesus. By breaking that taboo, both the leper and Jesus became unclean. By breaking that taboo, both did the will of God
WEEKLY BLOG This week, we consider the plight of the undesirable and he who touched the undesirable.
VIDEOCAST In this week's videocast, we look into Jesus' power to heal and lay evangelization.
MP3 PODCAST In this week’s audio podcast, we discuss loneliness. Are we ostracized by choice or because of the choices others make? What do we do about loneliness? Do we accept it or do we try to overcome it?
FIRST READING Leviticus laid out treatment for someone with a contagious rash (called “Leprosy” by the ancient writers). The reaction was quarantine. The infected were to live outside the community until their condition improved. The priests were the gates that allowed the sick to leave and reenter the community.
PSALM Psalm 32 was a hymn of repentance, confession, and forgiveness. Blessed is the sinner who repents, then leads others to repentance.
SECOND READING When can we do what we want? That might sound like a self-serving question, but it is a choice we face everyday in Western society. My self interest vs. the common good. However, we don’t have to face this dilemma, if we take St. Paul’s advice from his first letter to the Corinthians. Do whatever you like, but do it FOR the glory of God.
GOSPEL A leper approached Jesus with a desire for a cure. Jesus obliged. In fact, Jesus made himself unclean by touching the leper, but that touch healed the sick man. Despite instructions to the contrary, the healed man went out and spread the Good News of this Jesus, the one who had God’s power.
CHILDREN’S READINGS The stories for the reading present two different types of people. Jeremy was lonely, since he was the shy new kid at school. He didn’t have any friends. Brandy, however, was brave. She even asked a strange, lonely neighbor for help on her science project. That neighbor did help, and soon became a friend, just like Jesus was the friend of the leper.
FAMILY ACTIVITY How do you welcome the outcast home? Create a “Welcome Home” poster and use that project to explain the gospel for this Sunday to your family members.
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