6th Sunday in Ordinary time

 

Praise be to Jesus Christ

 

How was your week?  Did you have a good Lunar New Year? I pray that your 2021 will be filled with optimism.

 

Despite the continued COVID pandemic, Alaska has been effectively distributing vaccine: 22,888 residents have been vaccinated per 100,000; this is more than double compared to other states.  Even the 50+ year old are eligible if you have underlying conditions; perhaps I could qualify by next week.  

 

In addition to COVID, there are other illnesses we live with on a daily basis.  There are minor and fatal sicknesses that threaten us.  Sometimes, we feel hopeless when faced with such challenges.  

 

Today’s gospel shows us a path of hope through curing leprosy. 

 

Let’s first look into leper’s attitude.

 

Despite restrictions for lepers, he does everything to reach out to Jesus and kneel in front of him.  The leper believes in Jesus whole-heartedly and completely depends on him: “If you wish, you can make me clean.”  (Mark 1:40)  This is similar to the last prayer on the Mount Gethsemane by Jesus: “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14,36)  When faced with diseases, I hope we too can do everything we can while completely trusting and relying on God.  

 

Next is the Jesus’ response.

  

Jesus empathized with the leper since disease is not just about physical pain.  As addressed in Leviticus, they live alone and alienated by the society; they profess themselves as tainted while being tormented psychologically.  Leprosy is also viewed as God’s punishment hence they suffered spiritually.  Sickness can isolate and alienate the patients from the society.  

 

When we encounter these sicknesses, we sympathize and feel compassionate towards the patients.  However, it is merely an emotional response “I feel bad.”  But Jesus’ compassion led to an action.  He extended his hand and spoke.  We find within our families and friends, many people who suffer from various sicknesses.  I hope we can follow Jesus and act with compassionate not just sympathetically; support others with kind words, sincere prayers, and practical helping hands.

 

Despite the continued COVID pandemic and our own challenges we live with, let us work toward compassionate and hopeful week.  (Let us do everything we can and leave the rest to God.)  

 

Let us meditate for a moment.