Moved with Pity - He stretched out His hand

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B
Reading 1 - Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel - Mark 1:40-45

While preparing this homily - I realized something new - something that now seems so obvious - but previously - I can only describe as being hidden or disconnected for me - and what is that - simply this - I can understand more about God the Father through the actions and words of His Son Jesus Christ - and why is that - because Jesus himself said “anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” and “believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” - but most importantly - Jesus said that - “no one comes to the Father except through me”.

And how then did this come to me - while I meditated on one line from our Gospel - “moved with pity” - instantly I realized how it was God’s will that His only Son should die on the cross - you see - this was a question that was always irritating - always in the back of my mind - how a loving father could will the death of his only son - for those of us who have lost a child - we know that pain - how then could a loving father will the death of his only son … but there it was - right in front of me - “moved with pity” - God the Father was moved with pity for us when He willed that His only Son should die on the cross … just like Jesus was moved with pity and healed the leper so too God was moved with pity - so much so - that He willed that His only Son should die for us … I had found peace.

It was then that the next part of that line from our Gospel took on a whole new meaning for me - “moved with pity - what did Jesus do - He stretched out His hand” - but it wasn’t the leper I saw Him touch - it was the cross … you see God is not blind to our pain and suffering - He loves us so much so that in the fullness of time He sent His only Son - not to condemn the world - but to save it - and it wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross - it was His love and the Father’s love for us - it was the Holy Spirit - that held Jesus to the cross …

It is true - Jesus died on the cross - but no one killed Him - He had the power to lay down His life and to pick it back up - He freely gave up His life - and in doing so He fulfilled His Father’s will - He became the perfect sacrifice - so that we who believe in Him - might have eternal life - so that we - who believe in Him - might become what we were meant to be - holy … Jesus stretched out His arms for us - once on the cross - but now and for all eternity - He stretches out His arms for us in Heaven - were He patiently waits for each of us - to welcome us home …

It was then that the words of our second reading came to me - what did St. Paul say - do everything for the glory of God - be imitators of Christ … and instantly I thought about the Dismissal at the end of every Mass - “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” … you and I are part of God’s plan for salvation - we are called to carry Christ into the world - to be His eyes and ears, to be His hands - to be His love and compassion - giving freely of our time, talent and treasure - sharing Him with all of those that we come into contact with - seeing Him in all of those who we come into contact with - you see - in our Gospel reading Jesus warned the leper - “See that you tell no one anything” - but that was then - today - you and I - are called and sent to tell everyone the good news - that Jesus Christ has risen and we too can share in His glory - and that everyone is welcome in His house and at His table. My brothers and sisters - be not afraid - set out into the deep - be the Christ that you want to see in the world today - and know that He is with us always - until the end of time …

Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever - Amen!