Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2018 (Cycle B)

Feb 11, 2018

 

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

Mark 1:40-45

 

One of the ideas we must keep in mind when we read scripture, especially from the Old Testament, is that translations can totally change the impression, thoughts and ideas of what is written. The title of the Book of Leviticus is one example. Normally today we think of the book from a Latinized Greek point of view that refers to describe the activities of the Levites, the priest chosen from the tribe of Levi. In Hebrew, the meaning and translation really mean “and he called.”  

 

So, while we normally associate Leviticus as the third book of five from the Torah, we also tend to think of it as the laws given for the people of Israel to follow. The Torah is more than just laws for the people to follow, it really is a series of teaching, instruction or directions for becoming Holy.

 

That call to holiness is not just following the law, but a call to wholeness, our response to the Lord when He says to us “Be holy, for I, the lord, your God, am holy.” (Lev 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7, 26) When we follow the proper order of how things fit together, wholeness comes about. Leviticus is that call to Holiness through wholeness.

 

To achieve that wholeness, they found it necessary to promote those things that ensured they were healthy, from personal cleanliness, to the foods they ate, to the prevention of spreading disease among the people. In other words, they were looking for ways to survive in the culture they lived in. We do the same today. We have health inspections of the foods we eat, we have precautions we take when it is flu season, we have other actions to prevent the spread of other diseases.

 

The reading today gives us one example of what they were to do when it appeared that someone had contracted leprosy. The isolation was necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. Two unfortunate consequences resulted from this isolation were that they had to live outside the protection of community that they were part of, away from family and friends who supported them and unable to worship with everyone else. They other side effect was that it became a widespread thought that these people were being punished by God.

 

We have another short reading from Paul this week, but as usual, it has some very important meanings for us to understand. Paul has been giving advice to the Corinthians over a wide range of subjects. Among them Paul has offered practical advice such as buying meat offered in pagan sacrifice and whether they should accept dinner invitations from non believers.

 

What he is telling them that is that there are things that may not be morally wrong, but that they should think about the reaction of the people around them. While an action might be allowed, will others be scandalized by it. When our actions cause other to be scandalized, or to sin, then we should not do those things. That is why he says everything we do should be for the glory of God. If we do that, then we will not we will avoid giving offense to others, who ever they happen to be. By being an imitator of Christ, we make him the standard for all to follow.

 

Again, this week our reading from Mark’s gospel follows from last week. As we have seen so far, Mark moves rapidly from one scene to the next with some sense of urgency. That shows up again with the immediate healing of the leper. The one thing that should stand out is the fact that both the leper and Jesus cross the boundaries well established from the Old Testament as we heard in our first reading from Leviticus. Jesus response is one of compassion to the man and so he heals them. Jesus places himself at risk according to their laws when he reaches out to touch him. Jesus command to go and show himself to the priest follows the prescription of the law to prove he is no longer unclean and rejoin the community.

 

Once again, we hear Jesus telling the one whom He has healed, not to go and tell anyone. He wants people to have a correct understand of Him and His mission in the world. Again, the man does not obey Jesus’ wishes and goes to tell everyone what Jesus has done for him. Jesus has to avoid going into the towns like He wanted, but the people kept seeking Him out anyway and going to where ever he was.