February 11
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation”
Readings
Reflection
We’ve come to the end of our time before Lent, and since returning to Ordinary Time, Mark’s Gospel has given us beautiful moments of Jesus’ life to reflect with—and today’s Gospel is no different! Just in 1 chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we’ve already heard Jesus’ calling of his disciples and literally journeyed through a “day in the life”—Jesus' early morning routine (Mk 1:21-28), the midday (1:29-31) and evening ministry (1:32-34), what a typical nighttime into the next morning (1:35-38) was like. Jesus was constantly in demand, yet he himself was continually rooted in prayer and eager to meet the needs of the people, and to teach them.
In this opening context, Mark is intent on inviting us to reflect on who Jesus is, His salvific mission and presence among us, and His authority that still reigns to this day. Jesus is God. His words and actions invite ‘amazement’, ‘astonishment’, powerful silence from the people (and even the evil spirits/demons) who he encounters.
Now return to the story of the Leper today. Amazing disposition of heart that he recognizes Jesus and knows the power he has. Consider the patience and strength of soul that in the face of having confidence of who Jesus is, he still allows Jesus the freedom to choose to heal him or not. Humility before the will of God to see that somehow even his infirmity could be an instrument of grace or a way that God could still be glorified or that he could be a source of strength for others--should he need to persevere in his suffering. Incredible! Toward this man and attentive to his heart, Jesus is deeply moved with compassion, and then Jesus proves that he cannot be defiled by touching the leprosy and that divine power is truly power over all infirmities and evils.
What about us!? Defilement and leprosy within us, the prison of sin, the hardness of heart, inner shame that we hold on to—we can all feel hesitant to boldly (yet humbly) turn to the Lord in the manner that we see from this man today. The most profound way we can be cleansed, healed, set free, and brought back to life is through the healing power of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There, just like the moment of healing for today’s leper, Jesus is not dismayed, scandalized, or contaminated by our human defilement. There, Jesus says the same thing to us that he said to this man: “I do will it, be made clean.”
Thank you, Jesus!
Peace,
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