HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.
THEME: The leprosy left the man at once, and he was cured.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Hebrews 3:7-14
Psalm 94:6-11
Mark 1:40-45
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In our first reading of today, we hear how the writer of this letter is encouraging the believers to keep the faith up to the end, to endure in their living out of their faith in Christ. If this is to happen, he knows that they will need to support one another. That is why he also calls on them to ‘keep encouraging one another’. We need to encourage one another in the faith, to support what is best in each other, if our faith in the Lord, and the way of life that flows from it, is to endure to the end.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
We find a striking example of that ministry of encouragement in today’s gospel reading. The leper would have lived a very isolated life. Far from receiving any encouragement, he was shunned by all. He was made to feel that his physical condition, which cut him off from others, also cut him off from God. In throwing himself at the feet of Jesus, he was hoping and trusting that in Jesus he would finally find someone who would reveal to him God’s encouraging and life-giving love. His hope and trust would not be disappointed. Jesus healed him of his leprosy not only with a word but with a touch.
*CONCLUSION*
Jesus often healed people by means of his word, ‘Be cured’, but here was someone who needed to be touched. He needed to know that God, working in Jesus, could break through his life-draining isolation. As a result of his encounter with Jesus, with God, the leper who had lived in isolation became an evangelist, telling his good news story to others, everywhere. Jesus reveals a God who always wants to break through whatever isolation in which we find ourselves. The Lord does not do social distancing; he touches us, especially when we are at our most vulnerable and isolated; he encourages us, working to build us up, to put new courage and strength into us. All we need in response is something of the trusting and hopeful faith of the leper.
Lord give me everyday the gift of having a strong foundation of my faith in You. Amen.
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