Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Luke 5: 12-16

It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was;
and when he saw Jesus,
he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said,
“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 
Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,
“I do will it.  Be made clean.” 
And the leprosy left him immediately. 
Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but
“Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing
what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 
The report about him spread all the more,
and great crowds assembled to listen to him
and to be cured of their ailments,
but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Leprosy was a disease that disfigured, and in some cases, slowly ate away at a person’s flesh. 

Part of why people intentionally kept their distance from lepers was because they didn’t know how leprosy was contracted. Understandably, spotting a leper sparked panic.

When approaching the edge of town, lepers had to cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!” A warning to others: stay away lest you become like me.

The damage caused by this disease was not only physical; it was also psychologically and emotionally devastating. Lepers lived entirely alone.

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Thus, the physical healing of this man’s body in today’s Gospel was only the beginning of his journey. Jesus did his part. He cleansed the man’s flesh.

But now the community must also do theirs. They must welcome him back, talk to him, touch a man they once feared, seeing him as a new creation, a brother in Christ. 

In that sense, the community must also be healed, freed from the leprosy of prejudice and fear.

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It’s not always easy making room in our hearts for “lepers” who’ve been touched by Jesus – a person who’s hurt us, but seeks reconciliation; a recovering addict; a lost soul seeking your time and advice; someone who tests your patience but needs your love.

When they make room for God in their lives, we should make room for them in ours. So that, as Saint Paul says, “God who has begun this good work in them will bring it to fulfillment.”

May the Lord expand our hearts to become ever more like his.

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Image credits: (1) UNM Health Sciences Center (2) Osprey Observer (3) Saint James Catholic Church

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Gospel: Luke 4: 14-22

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region. 
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day. 
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
        to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 
He said to them,
“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 
And all spoke highly of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. 

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Today’s Gospel describes the very beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. 

For the next, and final, three years of his life – some 1,000 days – he will perform miracle after miracle, healing the sick, casting out demons, and forgiving those caught in sin.

His entire life and mission can be summarized in three words: 

Jesus lifted burdens.

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In his name, so should we.

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Recently, for example, I spoke with a group of first and second graders who are just starting to learn about Christianity. So, I asked them a simple question, “How do you help other students?” 

One said, “I pick up his pencil when it falls.” Another, “I help her spell long words.” And another, “She makes me feel better when I’m sad.”

Even in first or second grade, children have their share of burdens – a dropped pencil, trouble with spelling, a bad morning at home – but they know they can look to a friend to lift their burden.

As we age, the weight might become a bit heavier, but the principle remains the same: we all have the power – and responsibility – of helping those in need.

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By day’s end, I hope we can all say in honor of our Lord:

We lifted burdens.

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Image credits: (1) Adobe Stock (2) Freepik (3) KFUO Radio

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Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,
while he dismissed the crowd. 
And when he had taken leave of them,
he went off to the mountain to pray. 
When it was evening,
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. 
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,
for the wind was against them. 
About the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea. 
He meant to pass by them.  
But when they saw him walking on the sea,
they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 
They had all seen him and were terrified. 
But at once he spoke with them,
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. 
They were completely astounded. 
They had not understood the incident of the loaves. 
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Have you ever wondered what Jesus was praying about while the disciples were being tossed about at sea?

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Perhaps that their faith would not fail.

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This was clearly a test. 

It is the first time the disciples are without Jesus since his public ministry began. Previously, every moment with him was a consolation; their spirits were filled with awe and wonder.

They witnessed him cast out demons, heal Peter’s mother-in-law, cleanse a leper, multiply five loaves and two fish, forgive people’s sins, and preach to thousands.

All of a sudden, the disciples are without him, stuck in a storm so strong they fear they’re drowning! I’m sure they were on the brink of despair.

Their previous cries for help seemingly went unheard, leaving them feeling like they had to rely upon their own strength and skill to navigate the stormy waters.

Once the disciples reach their wits end, Jesus appears, gets into their boat and calms the storm. Yet, as Mark tells us, “their hearts were hardened.”

Soaked and scared, I’m sure Peter and the others had an unhealthy thought or two about their wonder-worker companion who almost let them drown.

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So, what is it that Jesus was hoping the disciples would learn?

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In spite of the darkness, the hardship, or even the flat our terror, the Lord would never abandon them. 

In the words of the prophet Isaiah: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the LORD, am your God” (Isaiah 43:1-3).

So it is with us.

At times, we can find ourselves up to our neck in stress or in trial, but the Lord continues to intercede for us, that we would stay calm and trust.

Eventually, every storm will be stilled, every tear will be dried. Though the flood waters may reach high, we shall not be overcome.

Learning to be at peace in such circumstances is not easy, but the Lord reminds us today, “Do not be afraid. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

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Image credits: (1) The Storm at Sea, Rembrandt (2) Christ in Gethsemane, Heinrich Hofmann (3) Medium