Be the Good News

First Reading: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “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.”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 11

Second Reading :  1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1

Brothers and sisters,

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 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.

Gospel:  Mark 1:40-45

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 the him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest  and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Reflection

By Grace B. Madriñan

When you are overwhelmed with so much happiness, you will really find it hard to contain it. You will shout it out to the whole world. And I am just talking about normal happiness.  What if it is the Holy Spirit that it is in you? All the more that you will leap for joy, bounce up and down until you spread the contagious fire!

This is how it felt when I attended the Holy Mass in Luneta, one with the people, rich and poor, through dry and wet grounds. Joy overflows as Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ, entered in our presence. People hang on to every word he said like torched land waiting for a drop of rain. After the event, no heart is left untouched. And every person has a story of hope to tell.

This is why I cannot blame the leper in today’s Gospel if he was unable to contain his joy despite being warned sternly by Jesus not to tell anyone. He may have been overwhelmed by the gift of salvation he received that he wanted to give credit to his Redeemer or he wanted others to experience the same gift he received.

But I believe we must not dwell on the bliss of the moment. The real challenge now is how to use this new found faith and hope to action. We must not stop at just being the bearer of Good News, we must also be the Good News.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the insurmountable blessings which serve as reminders of Your immense love for us. May we use every opportunity to use these gifts to serve others. Amen.