Welcome Back to Banquet of the Word!
Join us every week for background on this Sunday readings.
Our mission is simple: We want to help everyone in “pew-land” get more out of mass.
Fun Fact:
Contrary to popular belief, the book of Leviticus is not impossible to understand nor pointless. Yes, it’s a lot of laws (think L=Leviticus, Law=Leviticus).
But let’s understand why this was necessary.
Israel’s history with pagan worship lasted over 400 years. There was an intense need to get the Israelites out of Egypt (which Moses did), AND to get Egypt out of the Israelites.
That is, get the pagan worshipping out of the Israelites. The response? The book of Leviticus, a tool designed to give the rules they clearly needed. (613 laws to be exact.)
LV 13:1-2, 44-46
(The 1st Reading is Old Testament. It always links to the Gospel.)
We’re at law #452 of 613. Today it’s about leprosy. Here it is:
“If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch
which appears to be the sore of leprosy,
he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest,
or to one of the priests among his descendants.
If the man is leprous and unclean,
the priest shall declare him unclean
by reason of the sore on his head.
“The one who bears the sore of leprosy
shall keep his garments rent and his head bare,
and shall muffle his beard;
he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’
As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”
Lepers were considered “unclean,” they were excluded from the Temple. That means they were prevented from carrying out their religious duties. Lepers were ostracized from society and treated as aliens.
We can contemplate today the reality of Jesus’s complete healing power. The leprosy – which CUT people OFF from the Temple, is synonymous with sin.
When we sin? We cut ourselves off from God. We put up a wall; become separate. This week’s readings show us a simple “before” and “after;” In the gospel, Jesus heals a leper and makes him whole.
In confession, Jesus heals US and makes us whole. We are no longer separated from Him, but united.
Psalm 32: “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble,
and you fill me with the joy of salvation.”
(The Psalm is a “response” to what we heard in the 1st Reading)
Listen for the message of forgiveness in these verses:
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
1 COR 10:31—11:1
(The 2nd reading is usually from Paul’s letters. Speaks to how the early church was built after Christ’s death and resurrection).
The key line is the first line: Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” That means if we are called to suffer (e.g. leprosy), we ought to suffer for the glory of God. If we are blessed at this moment and have gifts to share (time, talent or money), we should do this also for the glory of God. The rest of the reading:
Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or
the church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,
that they may be saved.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
MK 1:40-45
(The Gospel is the highest point of the Liturgy of the Word. That’s why we stand.
We are about to hear from and be instructed by Christ Himself.)
This gospel is powerful in light of our first reading, and appropriate as we begin Lent in just 4 days. Jesus is approached by a leper (remember – totally alienated back then! Considered hideous, contagious).
And yet that leper knew in his heart who Jesus was. He wasn’t afraid to ask for healing. Knowing His faith, Jesus healed him.
Jesus tells him not to tell anyone what happened (remember, Jesus tried to stay “under wraps” so the authorities wouldn’t seek him out – not until the time for the Cross had come). But the man cannot help it. I can’t say I blame Him.
When Christ touches your heart, changes you from and on the inside, makes you clean and whole again – how can we NOT share that gospel message with the world?
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
Do you have a story about how Jesus has changed your life, healed you? Who needs to hear that message this week? Pray for the words and timing to share it. And know that in doing this, you are being His hands and feet to the world.
Banquet of the Word 