LAITY REFLECTIONS FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2;5;11 (R. 7)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 7:16
Gospel: Mark 1:40-45
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| Judith Evbuomwan |
MY REFLECTION
In the first reading, we were told about different skin diseases which makes us unclean. Leprosy was also mentioned and the only thing which we can be compared to leprosy today is sin. Sin makes us unclean and we need to be isolated until we are made whole.
The 2nd reading talks about peace. The only debt we are permitted to owe someone, is peace. Be peaceful to your neighbor, family, church members and all. Be a peace loving person.
In the gospel reading, we see how Jesus had compassion on the leper and healed him. Remember he was not expected to communicate with him, talk more, healing. We are expected to be compassionate and do good no matter the circumstances. It also tells us that Jesus is always ready to forgive us our sins in as much we can come to him.
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| Agnes Hanmaikyur |
MY REFLECTION
SOMETHING WORSE THAN LEPROSY
The First Reading of the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, presents a situation where anyone with a disease diagnosed to be leprosy, is completely ostracized. In fact, they can be said to be dehumanized.
Incidentally, there is something far more destructive than leprosy– SIN! While leprosy is a disease of the flesh, sin has the capability of destroying both body and soul.
From the foregoing, is it not suggestive that people who have sinned grievously should consider themselves ostracized, until they have been reconciled to God through the sacrament of Penance administered by a priest?
If our eyes could see beyond the physical, we would realise that sin disfigures the soul by far, more than leprosy disfigures the body.
Therefore, we must demonstrate great horror for sin, by doing all we can to avoid sin and by speedily utilizing the sacrament of reconciliation as soon as the misfortune of sinning befalls us, so that, we will not harbour something worse than leprosy in the spiritual realm.
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| Igbinazaka Angela |
MY REFLECTION
My reflection, based on the Gospel reading, draws me back to the many times I have ran to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament asking God for one favor or the other and like the leper, He has heard and answered me countless times even for some I did not ask.
Then, I begin to quiz myself:
Do I, like the leper, run to the throne of grace and ask for God's mercy and when I ask, do I beg Him or do I demand it like I earn it?
How well have I shown gratitude to God for all the many blessings I receive daily?
Do I appreciate him alone for what I have prayed for or I appreciate him for the things I am yet to receive?
Many times, we command God to bless and answer us like we earn the blessing or favour, when indeed, we do not merit them.
Taking a cue from the leper, we could see his humility and perseverance to get Jesus to heal him and indeed Jesus had mercy on him and healed him.
Afterwards, the leper did not hide his testimony but went about evangelizing about Christ and the goodness he has received.
I will continue to be grateful for the life I have and the many secret battles He is fighting for me. In my confused state, He has sent me helpers from left right and center to guide me through this difficult time and hence, I owe God gratitude.
May we like the leper learn to be grateful for what we have received, so that through us, the person of our Lord Jesus Christ will be seen and glorified.
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| Comfort Edewor |
MY REFLECTION
My reflection is based on the first and Gospel readings...
The thoughts that come to my mind in these passages of the scripture, is acceptance of my guilt and the desire to be cleansed or forgiven.
The First Reading that talks about the leper, who has to be isolated for as long as he has the disease, makes me very uncomfortable to think that in a state of mortal sin, l am like that leper before God and should really see myself as disgusting as that. In fact the leprosy of sin is more deadly that the physical leprosy that we know. While the physical leprosy can kill your body alone, the leprosy of sin if not cleansed before death, is sure to land one in hellfire. To some extent, we all have a type of spiritual leprosy that we need to deal with.
The Gospel reminds me of the necessity for regular confessions and to understand further, that it is Christ who forgives me, yet I must present myself at the confessional in order to receive the penance, (as prescribed in the law of Moses), that l get from the priest at the end of every confession. To me this cancels the argument often raised by those who lack understanding, when they say you should not confess to a priest who is a mere human being.
I pray earnestly to understand the dangers I put myself into, when I procrastinate going to confession when necessary.
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| Anne Aikpokhio |
MY REFLECTION
Asking In Humility
From the Gospel text, we were told that the man with leprosy kneeling before Jesus Christ, begged for healing. A Sign of Humility!
Even if we know that it is our ordained right to get some things from our Lord Jesus Christ, we should do/ask with humility.
The man with leprosy said, "If you will" and Jesus answered, "I will". Our Lord is good and compassionate all the time because that is His nature. He is ever ready to take us back. We just need to retrace our steps and come back to him. We all have sinned (unforgiveness, hatred, e.t.c). He is ever ready to wash us clean to be as white as wool.
Let us go before him, just like the man with leprosy, kneeling before Him to beg for mercy– for ourselves and our nation, Nigeria.
May your merciful love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hopes in you, Amen.
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| Chinwe Ann |
MY REFLECTION
SENSITIVE TO OTHER'S SITUATION
"Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hands and touched him..."
Relating the above quoted statement with myself and my relationship towards my fellow human being, I dare to as:
How do I relate with people in a situation such as ill health? Do I treat them like trash? Do I help in relieving them the little way I can? Do I make them feel bad added to the situation they already found themselves?
If I cannot help relieve an already bad situation, then, I must not add more suffering to it.
May we learn from Jesus to relieve and be of helping hands to our dear brothers and sisters in need, in any little way we can.
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