February 14, 2021 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lectionary: 77)
Reading I Lv 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 Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11
R. (7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Reading II 1 Cor 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.
Alleluia Lk 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 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 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.
By Nicki Mlakar
“Treat yourself. You deserve it!”
Far too often, I am easily persuaded by these words. I am so quick to treat myself to things that are tangible and worldly, but I often neglect to treat myself to that which is spiritual.
Each and every day I am promised the ‘treat’ of a life abundantly rich in love, in forgiveness, and in healing. But how often do I open my heart up to this most precious promise? Not nearly as much as ice cream, I’ll tell ya that much!
There is absolutely nothing that Jesus shies away from.
When I am lost, He searches for me.
When I feel weak, He provides me with divinely-given strength.
When I need healing, He fills my voids with His unequivocal love.
He knows my soul, and He tenderly loves it.
He yearns for me to flourish into the authentic person I am honoring my truest desires. He covets freedom for me which can be experienced by trusting Him unapologetically.
In every moment, He reaches out His hand for me to hold onto.
In full surrender, when I reach out my hand and hold onto His, I experience true freedom for He is the source of all forgiveness and healing.
So may we all treat ourselves to all the abundance that Jesus promises.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicki Mlakar strives to not just live but to feel alive. Nicki is always up for an adventure! She loves to travel, try new things, and hear others’ stories. She aspires to be exactly where her feet are- living intentionally with others, herself, and in communion with God as she invites Him into her daily life. To get to know Nicki better, follow her here.