1st READING
All societies have rules of exclusion and inclusion. Paul tells the Corinthians to exclude those who refuse to repent of serious sin from their community. Ultimately, leaders in any organization have to protect the weaker members of that organization from the sins of others, if at all possible. Obviously, we cannot condone sin in the fulfillment of this task. The responsibility to protect one another from sin is one we should take seriously.
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his descendants. 44 If the man is leprous and unclean, and the priest shall declare him unclean by reason of the sore on his head. 45 “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean,
unclean!’ 46 As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is in fact unclean. He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”
P S A L M
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
R: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
1 Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R) 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. (R) 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. (R)
2ND READING
Paul’s advice is universal – it is for all of us. We need to spend all the time we can studying the life of Jesus and getting to know Him more so that we can better witness to His love for us. The life of a disciple is never an easy one because the ultimate standard is high — Jesus Himself. Yet, just because it is high, this is no excuse for us to let ourselves off the hook. We need to aim high from the beginning and make sure that we do not let our eyes slip.
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
31 Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32 Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. 11: 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
GOSPEL
LIST
Leprosy is a disease that excludes the sufferer from society, at least it did up until a cure was found last century. Sin has a similar effect – it excludes us from sharing in the glory of God; it places us outside the realm of salvation if the sin is serious enough and we do not repent. Lord, help us to realize the destructive nature of sin, and thus, avoid it to the best of our ability.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people.
Mark 1:40-45
40 A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” 42 The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. 43 Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 44 Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” 45 The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
think: The responsibility to protect one another from sin is one we should take seriously.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Corinthians 13-16
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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