Jan 11 2024

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.’

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

R: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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.

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.

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Of course, I want to!

In Jesus’ time and culture, a leper was not only a person with skin disease but was also an outcast who would experience rejection and loneliness, separated from his/her family and loved ones. The leper in the gospel, pleaded with Jesus to be cured, not only from his sickness but from his loneliness too. Jesus understood his suffering and was eager to heal him at once.

In the same way that Jesus was prompt to help the leper, He is eager to help us in anything that we need. He also knows our struggles and sufferings. If we are open to Him, His love will touch us and thus heal us from anxiety, loneliness or any hardship that we may experience. At the same time, He invites us to be His hands today by reaching out to those who suffer so that His healing -through our care- may touch them too.

Reflective question:
Am I open to expressing to Jesus what I need and helping others with their needs?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.