Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year B

First Reading

Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46

The Law regarding leprosy is given to Moses and Aaron.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 32:1-2,5,11

A prayer of contrition and confession for sin.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1

Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ.

Gospel Reading

Mark 1:40-45

Jesus cures a person with leprosy, who reports his cure to everyone.

Background on the Gospel Reading



In today’s Gospel, we continue to hear Mark report the miraculous healings that Jesus performed in Galilee. The Gospel begins with Jesus healing a man with leprosy. Leprosy is a disfiguring, infectious skin disease that has been surrounded by many social and religious taboos throughout history. In 1873, the cause of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, was identified. We now know that leprosy is caused by a bacterial infection. Although it is infectious, modern medical studies have shown that transmission is more difficult than previously thought. Since the 1940s, medical treatments have been available, and the patient no longer needs to be isolated once long-term treatment has begun.

In Jesus’ time, however, religious and social taboos dictated the behavior of those with leprosy and other skin diseases. The Law of Moses provided for the examination of skin diseases by the priests, and if leprosy was identified, the person was declared unclean. People with leprosy lived in isolation from the community. They were instructed to rip their clothes and to announce their presence with loud cries when moving in the community. If the sores of leprosy healed, the Law of Moses provided a purification rite that permitted the person to return to the community.

In today's Gospel, the man with leprosy took the initiative, approaching Jesus and asking for healing. In doing so, the leper violated the religious customs of the day by approaching a person who was clean. His request to Jesus can be interpreted as a courageous and daring act. The confidence of the leper in Jesus' ability to heal him is evident in the words of his request. But his words can also be read as a challenge to Jesus, asking just how far Jesus was willing to extend himself in order to heal someone. While healing the man, Jesus touched him, which also violated established social norms. This is an important sign of the depth of Jesus' compassion for the man and an important statement about Jesus' interpretation of the Law of Moses.

Although Jesus touched the leper, he did not break completely with the Law of Moses. He instructed the man not to tell anyone about the cure and told him to present himself to the priests as prescribed by the Law of Moses. The first instruction sounds nearly impossible to honor. Certainly, the man would want to share the good news of his healing, and his quick improvement would require an explanation. The second instruction honors the Law of Moses.

Mark's Gospel tells us that after this healing, it became difficult for Jesus to travel freely. There are several possible explanations for this. There might have been concern about the repercussions of Jesus' breach of social and religious norms. In touching the man with leprosy, Jesus made himself unclean. Mark's narrative, however, leads to the conclusion that Jesus' movement was hampered by his popularity. Despite his instructions, the cured man spread the word about Jesus' healing power. Even when Jesus was in deserted places, people sought him out in search of his healing.

Flower Sale



The Knights of Columbus are holding the flower sale this weekend, February 10-11. They will be on the patio Saturday and Sunday selling bouquets of flowers at the same price of $15.00 per bunch. Proceeds support the work of Birth Choice of San Marcos.

Bake Sale

The ladies of the Altar Society will be having a Bake Sale on the Church Patio this Sunday, February 11. Stop by our table to pick up your Valentine treats to eat before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. Baked good donations are appreciated. 

Mark your calendars for our Easter Boutique which will be held the weekend of March 23rd and 24th. We are looking for donations of gently used items to sell at this event (please no furniture or clothing) We need Easter Baskets and toys to fill the baskets for the children. 

We want to thank the church community for all their support over the years. Because of your support we made over $6,000 at our Christmas Boutique.

Religious Items for Sale

Beautiful hand-made olive wood religious articles made by Catholic families in Bethlehem and Jerusalem will be on sale on the patio after all the Masses next weekend, February 17-18. Please stop by their tables and take a look at what they offer.

Income for Catholics living in the Holy Land is extremely limited. Because of the war, tourism has been completely shut down and these families have no other way of earning any income.



You can buy beautiful religious objects and at the same time provide livelihood for Catholic families during these difficult times.

Cursillistas

The next North County Coastal Ultreya will be Sunday 02/18/24 at 1:30pm – 4:30pm at St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach (Parish Hall). Potluck begins at 1:30pm, please bring a dish to share. We invite everyone to attend Mass at 5pm after our fellowship.  Ultreya’s are open to all.

For more information about Cursillo or to get added to the Evite list, email nccultreya@gmail.com Or call Rebeca Sheehan 760-473-1607

Want to know more about Cursillo?

Visit www.cursillosd.org

Spring '24 Men's weekend - April 11-14



Spring '24 Women's weekend - April 18-21

Attende Domine

This traditional Gregorian chant is appropriate for Lent.  This recording uses the original Latin words. Translated they say:

Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, because we have sinned against You. 

To You, highest King, Redeemer of all, do we lift up our eyes in weeping: Hear, O Christ, the prayers of your servants. 

Right hand of the Father, corner-stone, way of salvation, gate of heaven, wash away our stains of sin. 

We beseech You, God, in Your great majesty: Hear our groans with Your holy ears: calmly forgive our crimes.

Un Saludo de

parte del Diacono Miguel,

En aquel tiempo, se le acercó a Jesús un leproso para suplicarle de rodillas, “Si tú quieres, puedes curarme”. Jesús se compadeció de él, y extendiendo la mano, lo tocó y le dijo, “¡Sí quiero, Sana!” Inmediatamente, se le quitó la lepra y quedó limpio. (Evangelio según Marcos 1: 40-45). El próximo miércoles iniciamos la cuaresma. Y siempre la pregunta popular es ¿Qué voy a dar esta cuaresma? Se nos pide que debemos hacer un sacrificio por 40 días, abstenernos de algo que nos gusta. Y por tradición, lo aplicamos a no tomar nuestra bebida favorita o no comer lo que nos gusta mucho. Pero cualquier cosa que escogemos hacer tiene que apuntarnos hacia la vida eterna. Preguntémonos si nuestro sacrificio señala la vida eterna que Jesucristo gano por nosotros muriendo en la cruz. Estos 40 días de cuaresma son para que nos detengamos y examinemos nuestras vidas. Nadie es perfecto. Todos amamos a Dios, queremos complacerlo con nuestras acciones y actitudes, pero siendo humanos, callemos una y otra vez. Pero que esto no nos desanime para intentar de nuevo para seguirlo. Porque en cada caída o tropiezo allí esta Jesús queriendo ayudarnos, extendiendo su mano para levantarnos. Miramos como Jesús sana al leproso en el Evangelio de este VI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario. Así quiere Jesús sanarnos. Que estos 40 días de cuaresma sean tiempo de reflexión interior. Mirar esas enfermedades interiores que nos apartan de Dios y de otros. Mirar esas enfermedades que nos llenan de temor y resentimiento, que nos permiten mirar y escuchar a Jesús. Digamos cómo el leproso le dijo a Jesús, “Si tú quieres, puedes sanarme”. Jesús sana a él leproso. Hermana y hermano, Jesús quiere hacer lo mismo contigo.

Detente

Hablemos de La Lepra

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866