Fr Kevin Kilgore

***

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.

***

***

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. It sparked panic among people, much like COVID does today.

When approaching the edge of town, for example, lepers had to cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

A warning to others: stay away.

***

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

Lepers lived entirely alone.

***

Thus, the physical healing of this man’s body was only the beginning of his journey. 

Jesus did his part. He cleansed the man’s flesh.

But now the community must do theirs. They must welcome a man they once feared, seeing him not as a leper, but as a brother. 

In that sense, the community must be healed, too; they need to be cleansed from their fear of him.

***

It’s not easy making room in our hearts for “lepers” – the black sheep; those who’ve hurt us, but seek forgiveness; the recovering addict; people whom we disagree with; or who are different from us.

But when God acts in their lives, initiating some form of healing, we must continue the good work begun within them.

For example, when a person who’s hurt us asks for forgiveness – give it. God placed the desire for reconciliation in their hearts. Now we should try to welcome them back.  

Or when an addict turns sober, a person is released from prison, or a loved one sincerely asks for a second chance –offer it. Give them the opportunity to rebuild trust.

***

In each case, Jesus begins the healing, but we’re called to continue it.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Community Tool Box, University of Kansas (2) Osprey Observer (3) Forgiveness and Reconciliation, iBenedictines

***

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.

***

***

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 – Jesus will perform miracle after miracle, healing the sick, casting out demons, and forgiving those caught in sin.

I’d say his entire life and mission can be summarized in three words: 

Jesus lifted burdens.

***

So can we.

***

Recently, for example, I ZOOMED with a group of first graders from my former parish. I asked them, “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 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.

***

How might we help someone else today?

***

By the end of the day, hopefully we can say like Jesus (and even first grade students):

We lifted someone’s burden.

***

***

(1) Hear God’s Heart (2) God’s Hot Spot WordPress (3) Soul Food

***

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.

***

***

This is the first time that the disciples are without Jesus. And what happens?

***

Disaster strikes!

***

While they’re on a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee, a major storm approaches – one so large it causes these professional fishermen to fear they’re drowning!

Meanwhile, Jesus tries passing them by, walking calmly across the waters. What terrifies the disciples doesn’t disturb him at all.

Was this a test?

***

Absolutely. 

The disciples just watched Jesus feed five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. If he can perform a miracle like that, then why should they fear for their safety now? 

Shouldn’t they trust that Jesus will protect them?

We’d casually say, “Of course.” 

And yet, as the Gospel tells us, “their hearts were hardened.” 

***

Just like the disciples, Jesus allows our faith to be tested. 

But when we feel like we’re drowning, overwhelmed by the waves of doubt, debt, grief, or COVID fatigue, we must be patient and guard against the temptation of hardening our hearts.

Jesus is somewhere nearby, walking across the stormy waters, preparing to enter our boat.

Until the storm is calmed, we must be patient and cling to his words, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”

***

***

Image credits: (1) The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt (2) Christ Walking on the Water, Cornerstone Art (3) Havenlight Yong Sung Kim – The Hand of God Painting, Amazon