Open Wednesday     Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, B        February 12

     Think of a time when you were very sick.  What special things were done for you?
     In Jesus' time, if one became sick with leprosy, the person was treated with     contempt.  As far back as Moses' time, leprosy was a contagious disease for which there was no cure.  Lepers had to live by themselves, outside of town.  If they came close to other people, they had to shout, "Unclean!"  In doing so, they had to cover their mouths as we do when we cough; in the First Reading you will hear this action described as the leper "shall muffle his beard."  Lepers had to keep their clothes torn, or "rent."  Lepers were hopeless outcasts.  In time, this dreaded disease would       disfigure their faces and bodies.
     In the Gospel, notice how Jesus welcomes and touches the leper.  After Jesus heals the leper, Jesus adheres to the Law of Moses by asking the leper to submit  himself to the priest who will deem that the man is now "clean," that is, free of     leprosy.  Jesus asks the man not to tell anyone but the priest.  If you were healed by Jesus, could you remain quiet?  This man couldn't!  He told everyone.  And everyone sought Jesus so that poor Jesus had to live in remote places as the leper previously had done.  In a sense, Jesus and the leper changed places.
     The story of Jesus healing the leper prepares us for Jesus dying on the Cross to free us from our sins and to heal us from the effects of our sins.  We are the sinners deserving of punishment, but by dying on the Cross, Jesus accepts our punishment.  Jesus traded places with us. 
     For a Jew in Jesus' time, the analogy between Jesus healing illness and forgiving sin would be more obvious than for us because leprosy was regarded as punishment for sin.  The physical healing of the leper prepares us the spiritual healing of Confession.  Just as Jesus welcomes and touches the leper, so does Jesus welcome sinners.  Jesus touches the heart and soul of sinners.
     The leper's faith and trust gave glory to God.
     Paul, in the Second Reading, exhorts his readers that all their actions give glory to God (1 Cor 10:31).  To prepare to hear the Second Reading, make sure that all you hear, say and do is pleasing to God.  This week find new ways to be helpful and      encouraging.  This week say prayers telling God how great He is and how much you love His Son; in other words, give glory to God.  On the picture page, I tried to depict "our activities giving glory to God."  When you see "10:31" on a digital clock, let it remind you that all your actions should be to God's glory.  Whatever you do or say, let it be pleasing to God.
     The psalmist rejoices in the readiness of God to forgive sin when one confesses sin.  Tell God how happy you are that our sins can so readily be forgiven.
     This paragraph is for older teens and adults.  Spiritual healing, that is the forgiveness of sins, may effect physical, mental and emotional healing.  You may have an example you wish to share.  Leprosy disfigures a person's face and body, but sin disfigures the heart and one's outlook.  A simple example is the way holding a grudge clouds a lovely face.
     Tonight before going to bed, be especially attentive to your examination of conscience.
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Sunday's Readings:    Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46         Psalm 32
                                   1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1     Mark 1:40-45

The First Reading is from the Book of Leviticus, named for Levi, one of  the twelve sons of Jacob; Levi was chosen to be priest.   Leviticus is a collection of laws defining how the Law of God is to be lived.  You may wish to peruse the Book of Leviticus this week.