6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
A little liturgy focuses this week on doing as Christ does. We also look at leprosy and the difficulties that accompany this disease. Lent is upon us already - so enjoy your pancakes and good luck with your resolutions!
Summary of the Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46
The Lord tells Moses and Aaron that somebody with leprosy should be taken to see the priest. If they have the disease, they should live apart from the community until they get better.
Psalm
Ps 31:1-2,5,11. R.v.7
You are my refuge, O Lord; you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Second Reading
Corinthians 10:31-11:1
St Paul tells us and the Corinthians that everything we do we should do for the glory of God. We should never offend anybody and try to be helpful to everyone. St Paul recommends us to copy him as he copies Christ.
Gospel
Mark 1:40-45
Jesus cures a man with leprosy who came to him and said "If you want to, you can cure me." Afterwards, he tells him to go to the priest and make an offering but not to tell anybody else about it. The man cannot resist telling everyone and soon Jesus found it difficult to go anywhere because of the crowds.
Discussion
We can take leprosy in the Bible as a metaphor for anything that makes people feel excluded from society. Sometimes people look or behave differently or have different beliefs. We often find it difficult to accept these types of people. In the Old Testament, people were labelled as "unclean" and sent away. Jesus does not reject these types of people, instead he welcomes them, and, in this case, he heals the man's disease.
St Paul tells us that we should imitate Jesus. Today's Gospel shows how we should be welcoming to those people that feel excluded from society.
Activity for Mass
St Paul tells us to imitate Jesus. Below is a list of some things that Jesus does in the Gospels and some suggestions about how we might do similar things in our own life. Continue the list by filling the gaps and adding three more things.
Jesus Me
healing a leper being kind to people who feel left out
praying to his father ......................................
teaching in the synagogue .......................................
sharing meals .......................................
.......................................... ........................................
.......................................... ........................................
.......................................... ........................................
On Wednesday the season of Lent starts. It is a time when we think about seeking forgiveness for our sins. At Mass we usually say a prayer called the Confiteor which starts with the words "I confess..."
See if you can fill in the gaps and then check it in a missal.
I confess to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ God
and to you my _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
that I have greatly _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
in my _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and in my _ _ _ _ _ ,
in what I have done
and in what I have _ _ _ _ _ _ to do,
through my fault, throughout my _ _ _ _ _ ,
throughout my most grievous fault;
therefore, I ask blessed _ _ _ _ ever virgin,
and all the _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
and you my _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ,
to pray for me to the _ _ _ _ our God.
Other Activities and Resources
Click below to find out more about leprosy:
Leprosy mission video
Thanks for logging on this week!
Maria
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