Jerry Carney's Blog

Leviticus 13.1-2, 44-6; Ps 32. 1-2,5,11 (response v. 7); I Cor 10.31-11.1; Gospel Acclamation Lk 7.16; Mark 1.40-45

Being Christian is a way to live a human life. In everything we do in our daily lives, we can encounter the presence of the Risen Christ, if we bring Paul’s mentality of doing it for the glory of God and the good of others.

In this liturgy we encounter the presence of the Risen Christ in each other, in the Word, and in the Eucharist. Can we bring ourselves, like the leper, to respond to his question: what do you want from me?

The leper was the ultimate outsider. Jesus crossed a social and religious boundary and touched him. In our prayer we include many who are within the boundaries of our lives and community. How often do we pray for our outsiders, for our enemies, for ISIS, for our political opponents?

Looking forward to Lent: we have a self to lose and a self to find…on this journey.

Readings: Job 7. 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147. 1-6; I Cor 9.16-19, 22-23; Mark 1.29-39

1. Job’s complaint is balanced with the healing ministry of Jesus. For God heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147.3a); Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases (Gospel Acclamation verse, Mt 8.17). Listen to both voices: the cry of the suffering and the Lord’s compassionate touch.

2. As Paul works to develop the Church in Corinth, he presents a model of evangelization. He listens to the people and focuses on their needs. He shares freely. “To the weak I have become weak… I have become all things to all, for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may have a share in it.”

3. The model of Jesus in his ministry. While the disciples are focused on the crowds seeking Jesus, he rises early and prays in a deserted place.

4. Who do you say that I am? The secret of Jesus’ identity. He silences the demons who know who he is. The crowds see a wonder-worker, the disciples only his growing popularity. But Jesus can only be seen through the lens of the cross and resurrection. Only then does faith become possible.

Recently Steve McCurry published a very insightful treatment of the widows who make up perhaps a quarter of the resident population of Vrindaban, an important Vaishnava pilgrimage site in northern India. In my research in this area, I have had daily occasion to meet these strong women. This image from 2008 is typical of these images.