Theme: THE LORD SAVES US FROM SINS AND GIVES US HAPPINESS
- Leviticus 13:1-2. 44-46;
- Psalm 31 (32): 1-2. 5. 11. R/ v. 7;
- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
- Mark 1:40-45
1. Today is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Year B. The readings today tell us that the Lord saves us from sins and gives us happiness!
The gospel today tells us that the Lord had pity on a leper and touched him and healed him, but he warned him not to tell anyone about it, but to show himself to the priest who will certify that he was clean and offer the accompanying purification rituals. But the man told everyone about the cure and great crowds came to Jesus.
Jesus forbade the cleansed leper to tell anyone about it because Jesus did not want to be mistaken to be a miracle worker. Jesus came to suffer, die, rise from the dead, and give us the Holy Spirit to save us from sins – the “Messianic Secret” of Saint Mark! (NJBC/CCB/Fuller)
2. The first reading follows the theme of the gospel. The first reading tells us that the priest was to certify that a man was a leper. And as a leper he was to wear torn clothing, he was not to comb his hair, he was to cover his lips, and shout, “unclean, unclean”, and he was to be isolated from the community.
Leprosy symbolizes sin! In fact sin is worse than leprosy!
3. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm tells us that the Lord does not only heal us of leprosy, but the Lord also saves us from sins and gives us happiness! Thus the response of the responsorial psalm: “You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.” (Ps 31 (32): 7/SM)
The responsorial psalm has three stanzas. The first stanza tells us that when our sins are forgiven us we will be very happy! Thus we read in the first stanza: “Happy the man whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted. O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no guile.” (Ps 31 (32): 1-2/SM)
The second stanza tells us that we have to confess our sins to God and God will forgive our sins. Thus the second stanza: “But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide. I said: ‘I will confess my offence to the Lord.’ And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.” (Ps 31 (32): 5/SM)
Verses 3 and 4 of the original psalm which are not quoted in the responsorial psalm tell us that if we do not confess our sins to the Lord, we will suffer!
The third stanza tells us that when we confess our sins to the Lord and when the Lord forgives our sins we will be very happy! Thus the third stanza: “Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just! O come, ring out your joy, all you upright of heart.” (Ps 31 (32): 11/SM)
We confess our sins to the priest because the priest represents the “mercy” of God the Father, the “reconciliation” of God the Son through his death and resurrection, and the “forgiveness” of God the Holy Spirit! Thus the formula for absolution:
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself, and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.”
And the penitent answers: “Amen”! The penitent believes that his sins are forgiven. Some people do not believe that God can forgive their sins, because their sins are “too big” and “too many”! They sin against the Holy Spirit, that is, they do not believe that God can forgive their sins! There is no forgiveness for the Sin against the Holy Spirit!
Note that in the formula of absolution the priest is number five, not number one: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, and Priest!
4. The second reading does not follow the theme of the day. But the second reading has something important to tell us. The second reading tells us that whatever we do; we must do it for the glory of God and for the good of man, that is, for their salvation!
The second reading tells us that eating food offered to idols is not a sin, but if it scandalizes others then we are not to eat it!
The second reading also tells us to imitate St. Paul just as St. Paul imitated Jesus Christ! Let us imitate St. Paul in proclaiming the Good News just as St. Paul imitated Jesus Christ in proclaiming the Good News!
5. Today in the Eucharist, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we eat his body and drink his blood, and the Risen Lord will give us the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit will help us confess our sins to the Lord and the Lord will forgive our sins and give us happiness! The Holy Spirit will also help us to do everything for the glory of God and for the good of man, that is, for their salvation! The Holy Spirit will help us imitate St. Paul in proclaiming the Good News!
Amen!
Words of Spirit and Life 
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