Thursday, January 17, 2013

 

THURSDAY 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

JANUARY 17, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT ANTHONY OF EGYPT, ABBOT
THURSDAY 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Heb 3:7-14 / Ps 95: 6-7c. 8-9. 10-11 / Mk 1:40-45

HEBREWS 3:7-14
Listen to what the Holy Spirit says: If only you would hear God's voice today! Do not be stubborn, as they were in the place called Rebellion, when your ancestors challenged me in the desert, although they had seen my deeds for forty years. That is why I was angry with those people and said: Their hearts are always going astray and they do not understand my ways. I was angry and made a solemn vow: They will never enter my rest. So, brothers, be careful lest some of you come to have an evil and unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Encourage one another, day by day, as long as it is called to day. Let no one become hardened in the deceitful way of sin. We are associated with Christ pro- vided we hold steadfastly to our initial hope until the end.

MARK 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and begged him, "If you want to, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do want to; be clean." The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him, "Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest, and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way you will give to them your testimony." However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas, people came to him from everywhere.

REFLECTION
In this Gospel passage, Jesus cures a leper who begged him to make him clean. Why clean? Leprosy at that time was considered a contagious disease, thus a leper had to live outside the town. Besides, they believed that leprosy was an affliction from God and the Jews considered lepers as unclean. Can you imagine how a leper lived an isolated life? It was a very unhappy and depressive life as they were separated from family, friends and all the villagers. So this leper, when he was made clean by Jesus, did not follow his command of not telling anyone. Instead he went around proclaiming the news everywhere, that he was made clean. His heart could not contain the joy of being freed from his suffering. He went on sharing what Jesus had done for him.

There are many lepers around us today, not necessarily being physically sick with leprosy, but because of their situation in life, being isolated and made outcasts of society. The poor, the sick especially of HIV, the elderly, the uneducated, the prisoners, etc. are just a few examples of those who are considered lepers, untouchables, by people who look at themselves as clean.

Do we reach out to them so that in their suffering they will feel comforted, accepted and loved? How can we alleviate the sufferings and difficulties of these marginalized people around us?

The leper in the Gospel received a gratuitous gift of healing that made him proclaim God's goodness to him. We, too, have received certain gifts which have changed our lives. Have we ever thought of sharing them joyfully with others? Have we thanked the giver of this gift?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Virginia Hernandez
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo; for protection and personal intentions of Dr Ugo Anyaugo, Oge Anyaugo,Barr (Mrs) adaugo Barbara Okoronkwo,Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo, Chuba Anyaugo and Ezinne Cordelia Anyaugo
- Lydia and Judo Pe
- Melencio Go
… for the personal intentions of
- Jennette
- Pauline
- Joy
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Rosario Reyes
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Ester Reyes Tagud
- Wedding Anniversary: Karen & Joey de Venecia
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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