11 February 2018

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Psalm: 31:1-2, 5,11.
2nd: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 11:1
The Gospel of Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees: ‘If you want to’ he said ‘you can cure me.’ Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘Of course I want to!’ he said. ‘Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him, ‘Mind you say nothing to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery.’ The man went away, but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town, but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.

The Leprosy of Sin

The Lord said that He came “not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it,” (Matt. 5:17) he who was excluded by the Law, was cleansed by the power of the Lord, showing that grace could wash away the stain of the leper, and it was not from the Law, but over the Law. And truly, we see the authority and power of the Lord and the constancy of faith (in the leper) … there follows: “Lord, if you want, you can cure me.” He falls prostrate, which is at once a gesture of lowliness and of shame, to show that every man should blush for the stains of his life. But his shame did not stifle confession; he showed his wound, and begged for medicine, and the confession is full of devotion and of faith, for he attributes the power to the will of the Lord. Moreover, he doubted of the will of the Lord, not as disbelieving His compassion, but, as conscious of his own filth, he did not presume. It goes on; “But Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and said unto him, “I want to, be cured.” … Another reason why He touched him, was to prove that He could not be defiled, who frees others from pollution. At the same time it is remarkable, that He healed in the way in which He had been begged to heal. “If you want,” says the leper, “you can cure me,” “I want,” He answered, behold, you have my will, “be clean;” now you have at once the effect of My compassion. Bede the Venerable (Catena Aurea)

This week’s feasts
Wed 14 Ash Wednesday
Sat 10 Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

Psalter Week II
After Ashes Week IV

Readings for 1st Sunday of Lent
1st: Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm: 24:4-9
2nd: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

Ash Wednesday

An exclusive gesture proper to the first day of Lent, is the imposition of ashes. What is its most significant meaning? External gestures must always be matched by a sincere heart and consistent behavior. Indeed, the prophet Joel wonders, what use is it to tear our garments if our hearts remain distant from the Lord, that is, from goodness and justice? Here is what truly counts: to return to God with a sincerely contrite heart to obtain his mercy. A new heart and a new spirit: We ask for this with the penitential Psalm par excellence, the Miserere, which we sing today with the response, “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
The true believer, aware of being a sinner, aspires with his whole spirit, heart and body to divine forgiveness, as to a new creation that can restore joy and hope. Another aspect of Lenten spirituality is what we could describe as “combative,” in today’s Collect prayer, where the “weapons” of penance and the “battle” against evil are mentioned. Every day, but particularly in Lent, Christians must face a struggle, like the one that Christ underwent in the desert of Judea, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil, and then in Gethsemane, when he rejected the most severe temptation, accepting the Father’s will to the very end. It is a spiritual battle waged against sin and finally, against Satan. It is a struggle that involves the whole of the person and demands attentive and constant watchfulness.
Homily of Pope Emeritus, His Holiness Benedict XVI,
Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace Fri 23 Feb, Pope Francis calls Catholics, Non-Catholics and Non-Christians to join in prayer for all the places who are in situations of conflict around the world.

St. Paul’s Passion of the Lord 2018 is in the making. It will be on 21 March. WE NEED ACTORS. Please contact Fr. Fernando at 9993 3130.

Lenten Friday Observance Mass will be at 11.30am followed by Stations of the Cross.

Cup of soup, roll and cheese at the Coffee Shop on Fridays during Lent after Stations of the Cross. Donation 5€. (Hospice and Caritas).

Re-cycling to help the Hospice Bins are in the basement car park at the back of the Hospice. All recyclables taken.

We Need Volunteers at the Parish Hall to help with bar stocktaking and/or with the disabled equipment storage. Contact Fr. Jim 9979 3169

Join the Caritas Committee Contact Wendy at 9904 0294. We also need duvets and gas heaters. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Mass Times HERE