6th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Leviticus 13: 1-2,44-46
2. Psalms 32: 1-2, 5, 11
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
4. Mark 1: 40-45

• Seeing past the misery
• The role of the priest in ancient Jewish culture had many dimensions, but the most demanding of them must have been to examine a person for leprosy.  The priest knew well the implications of their diagnosis.
• In a culture that condemns condemnation, it seems that judgment of any sort is anathema.  Are we called to judge others, their actions, the consequences of their actions, ever?
• If so, what virtues ought we to cultivate before we judge?
• Why not let someone else do the judging?

• The power of redemption
• Sometimes, the worst part of suffering the consequences of our actions is the deep seated realization, maybe for the first time, that there are consequences to our actions.
• You commit a sin, hurt others in the process, realize the seriousness of what you have done, pray for forgiveness, then what do you do?
• Is it as though nothing ever happened?
• How would true healing of the community be achieved?
• What would such healing look like?

• Decision making made "easy"
• St. Ignatius articulated the root principle that governed all else here.  The more you think about those simple words, the more demanding they become.
• What have you done lately that was for the glory of God?
• What motivated you to do that at the time?
• How did that decision change you?

• Empathy
• Empathy is often painful.  Particularly if the other person is somehow different, culturally, their station in life, their beliefs, their practices, all make empathy more difficult to practice, more difficult to explain to your closest friends and family.
• Think of a time that you were going through a hardship.  Perhaps it was loss of your job, a surprise health diagnosis, collapse of an investment.  How did that affect the way that you related to others?
• Was that change in your relationships their fault, yours, anyone's?
• How did you bridge that divide between you & others?
• What might have made that easier?
• What virtue do you wish you had more of at that time?
• What virtue do you wish those around you had more of at that time?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Who in my life needs me to listen to them attentively?
2. Where should I be restoring, mending, healing wounds caused by my sin?
3. What things am I attached to that hinder my relationship to God?
4. Who is God asking me to heal with my presence in their life?

Healing Touch

A long time ago, when people visited others in the hospital,

I saw a friend well into recovery from surgery.

He was a man, stout of heart, courageous of soul,

And most gentle of spirit.

"Juan, so good to see you!" he cried.

The orderly beamed as he went about tending my friend.

"How are you?  Thank you for your help.

Let me introduce you to my friend here."

And suddenly, I was ushered into Juan's circle of friends

On the recommendation of my friend.

Juan finished his work, tarried awhile to talk heart to heart, and moved on.

My old friend told me of Juan, his new friend.

Juan's dreams and goals, his hard work and uncertainty

How Juan managed to express his love in the most menial tasks

By being faithful, caring, and loving.

And I was transformed.

I have to confess, to me Juan was just another part of the hospital machinery,

Doing what he was trained to do, getting the necessary needs met.

My friend helped me see a person, beloved of God, missioned to this little corner of earth.

Just as confused and awestruck by life as I was.

And I realized that I had just received a wonderful gift:

Called forth from my own preoccupations

Into a wider, more generous space 

Where I could learn to serve so much better.

Shalom!