Homily Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:40-45) “How Can I Keep from Praising You?”
Homily Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 1:40-45) “How Can I Keep from Praising You?”
We all like to share good news. Some of us have received the Coronavirus vaccine recently. I received my first dose Saturday. Others have already received their second dose. In talking to others about this, their excitement is palpable. People have a sense that now their lives can begin to change for the better.
What if when we went to get an inoculation the medical personal would say to us, keep your shot a secret? Probably we would think that was kind of crazy. We want others to know so they might be encouraged to do likewise. For that reason, famous people have rolled up their sleeves in front of the cameras. We want to share the news of the vaccine.
When we read through the story of the healing of the leper the strangest part of the story is when Jesus tells him to say nothing to anyone about his healing. Complying with Jesus’ request would have been impossible. First, the leper’s healing would need to be certified by a priest. The certification process was elaborate. The beginning of it was that the leper had to bathe, wash their clothes and after that they would shave their whole body. The leper would wait seven days before they presented themselves again. The process went on from there. How could such a thing be kept secret?
When the cured leper returned home, we can imagine that he had a lot of explaining to do. People would probably not believe there was a cure until they heard how it happened. He would have had to present a document to prove he was well. The leper would also have had to contend with his own emotions. How could he help but praise Jesus? When he shared his story, others believed. The best evangelists are those who feel that Jesus has impacted them.
People who have experienced the healing touch of Jesus usually are the best witnesses. We can remember Sister Marianne Cope. Many of us may not have heard of her, but she was example of someone whose life was transformed by Jesus. Marianne Cope is an American citizen who became a canonized saint.
Marianne Cope was born in Germany in 1918. She immigrated with her parents to the United States when she was only a year old. She went to a parish school in Utica New York. She began to have inklings of a religious vocation. But then tragedy struck in her life. Her father became an invalid and was confined to a wheelchair. Young Marianne set her own plans aside. As a teenager she went to work in a factory to support her family. She continued to work for several years until her father died. Only when her siblings could support themselves, did she follow her dream. How hard it must have been to delay her life plan, but she did it. She became a sister of the Third Order of St. Francis.
She began to work in hospitals where she showed her leadership ability. Sr. Marianne helped found the first two Catholic hospitals in New York. She also became the superior of her religious congregation. She had power. She had prestige. She had much to rejoice in. The immigrant girl had become a success. But then a letter came from the King of Hawaii asking for nursing sisters to work with lepers in his country. The disease was highly contagious. Hawaii was not the glamorous place it is today. 50 religious orders turn the request down. Sr. Marianne Cope changed her life plan once again. She and six other sisters went to Hawaii, to the Molokai leper colony. One of her first duties was to care for St. Damian the leper as he died of the disease.
Sr. Marianne was a fierce defender of the rights of the lepers. She lived among them and nursed the for over twenty years. Some said it was a miracle that she never caught the disease. What allowed her to show such unselfish devotion? Perhaps it was because Jesus had changed her life course. Our Lord had given her a purpose. He had shown her she had many talents that she never would have discovered if she had not left all to follow him.
As we reflect on our world, we see many people who operate out of self-interest. Doesn’t it seem that people like Marianne Cope, who sacrificed power and success for the good of others, are considered fools? Sr. Marianne Cope could not help herself. She felt compelled to live as Jesus did because of how Jesus had blessed her. Once we have been changed by Jesus how can we help but tell others about it?
She said once, “I am not thinking of reward. I am working for God and I do so cheerfully.”
Reflection Questions:
- How has my relationship with Jesus changed me? How has this relationship impacted by relationship with others?
- Could I have done with Sr. Marianne Cope did? What can I for Jesus instead?
Dear Parishioners,
We now have a target date for the priests to move out of the rectory and into our new living space. We will be in our new home by March 1st. During the next few weeks, we will be emptying out the old building and slowly moving things over. We do have to have a final inspection that will declare the space habitable.
The winter weather will make our move a challenge even though we are just going across the parking lot. We also need to get the rest of the carpet laid and move the appliances in, etc.
Some people have asked if they can help. We must be conscience of the pandemic and of mixing people together. I also don’t want to have people come and have nothing to do. Therefore, I will try to just recruit those that we need. Again, we will move in stages.
I would like to thank Fr. Matthew for patiently waiting. His living room sprang a major leak six weeks ago. When the cold weather hit this time leaking stopped, but when things thaw out it will begin again, I am sure.
I thank all of you who have supported the TTT campaign. Having a warm dry place to live will make the priests’ lives better.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Bishop Tylka will be visiting Seton School on Monday the 22nd for a school Mass. We welcome him to our parish. We hope he can return many times.