Healing / World Marriage Sunday (2014-02-14, Sunday-06)

February 14, 2021 –  6^th  (Year B)

●● Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46  ●●  Psalm 32 ●● 1^st Corinthians 10:31-11:1  ●●

+ Mark 1:40-45 ●●

  

[__01__]   In the Gospel, this Sunday, we read about a surrender going on – the surrender of a man with leprosy to Jesus.

          I’d like to compare – to make an analogy – that the man with leprosy is like a suspect. Of course, he is not a criminal by our standards and statutes, but in his own day, he is very much ostracized and marginalized and living at the mercy of others.

          And, Jesus represents “Law and Order”.

[__02__]      On the televised and fictional “Law and Order” type TV shows, the search for the criminal and the search for the criminal’s confession / surrender is very popular these days, perhaps, it has a certain timeless and universal appeal.

          They often show confession and mercy and surrender. Why so popular? One thing we observe is that a favorite setting and scene in these TV shows is the interview room where the police and perpetrator face off, one on one.

          In one example, there was a British TV show– in the 1990’s – “Prime Suspect” in which the highly intelligent Helen Mirren places the investigator / inspector facing down criminals who are not quite sure of themselves or they are quite desperate for a deal and to disconnect themselves from the crime.

          And, sometimes, the detective found some way to make a deal with them as long as there was some confession by the suspect.

          “Prime Suspect” was very influential on later TV shows of its kind such as “Law and Order.”

[__03__]   In each case, there is a psychological drama between the suspect and the detective …

One reviewer pointed out that interrogation dramas show popular interest in audiences wanting to know every detail. That is, we want to know what goes into – or what causes – a surrender or confession. And, we

, the “perpetrator” is totally dependent on the “police”  for some type of redemption or rescue or deal.

          There is a surrender, to something even beyond the police officer. That is, there is a surrender to “Law and Order” as a value,  to justice as a virtue.

          And, we watch the show to see if they are really conforming to an objective standard of justice. And, what is that objective standard of justice?

 [__03__]   Jesus seems not be following the objective standard of justice in this Gospel episode.

          The law about leprosy in Leviticus may make us think that the effect on this man – with leprosy – is not salvation – but a smackdown by God and the Temple – stay away from the unclean man.                                         We might wonder – then – is the only way to help this man – is it to break the law?

          Jesus goes out of his way and the to the people of his day, he is breaking the law, as a devout Jewish rabbi, he is not supposed to be going near a man with leprosy.

          Then, he goes further and touches the man with leprosy.

          Is it possible to go beyond the law?

          Should we go beyond the law?

 

[__04__]  Jesus does not heal the man as the requirement of an existing law but as the fulfillment of a new law, a new law of mercy.

 

[__05__]     This Sunday in the Church is World Marriage Sunday, observed in the church as World Marriage Sunday.

          There are, of course, laws and traditions surrounding marriage in both a civil and civilized sense but also spiritual Christian sense.

          The marriage vows which are pronounced at the altar of Our Lady of Lourdes and in every Catholic church and Catholic chapel.

          It’s also good to remember that we use the term vocation – or a calling to refer to married persons, to every wife and husband, to every mother and father. These are vocations.

          Traditionally, we use the term vocation to refer to religious sisters and brothers, members of religious orders (Franciscan, Jesuit, Sisters of Charity) or to the deacons and priests of our parish.

          Because they are called by God.

          But, every wife and husband and mother and father are also called by God. And,  their calling is equal in solemnity and seriousness to that of a priest. Parents, for example, make vows and godparents make vows on the day of baptism to raise their children in the Catholic faith. These are solemn vows.

          And, they are challenging to live  out.

 

 [__06__]   In marriage and family not only to follow human law but also the divine law.

          In marriage, we pronounce vows of “I Do”  not only for the “until-death” connection of wife and husband, but also because this “until-death”  connection is a reflection of Jesus Christ’s love for you and for me.

He loves us until death.

          As the Church, we are his spouse. Jesus gave himself up for us and is married to us. We are healed by his presence.

[__07__]           One of the great trials for a married person is to discover that he or she is committed willingly and intimately bound to a spouse, he or she can also feel alone or adrift at times.

          Such aloneness begs a question. What shall I do to fill the void, the emptiness? What relationships or conversations am I having to fill this void?

          Here, I’m not suggesting that every such sensation of aloneness is a springboard to outright infidelity or separation. But, I also suggest that every married person has sensed that in a one-on-one partnership there can be a feeling of instability.

          And, this instability is not immediately solved by the settling of a disagreement or any 1 conversation.

There may be a feeling of instability that I cannot fully please my spouse or that my spouse does not please me.

          In such a situation, we may turn to – at least temporarily – a trusted friend to help us. There may be a need for counseling or spiritual direction. All of this is good, but I suggest that none of this is substitute for friendship with Jesus as our advocate, and with the Holy Spirit who is given to help us live and love “until death do us part” which in the Gospel which for Jesus involved loving and living through

·        Betrayal by his intimate friends

·        Loving those who did not always listen to him.

·        Loving those who were his adversaries.

But, also loving those who were at least trying to love Him in return. Jesus loves us in our attempts. Do we love each other for the attempts?

          In this regard, Jesus is our standard not only of justice but also of love and mercy. He is the friend, the advocate, the third person is not a third wheel on date night, but the third person who can fill the void and he is the one who reaches out to touch us with his new love of love, so that we may be healed and made whole.   [_fin_]