Here, you will find a collection of reflections, guide questions, images and slide backgrounds — all crafted to enhance and elevate your celebration of the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The Gist of Mark 1:40-45
A man with leprosy approaches Jesus, expressing faith in His ability to heal. Jesus, moved with compassion, touches the man and declares him cleansed, immediately curing his leprosy. Jesus instructs the healed man to keep the healing quiet but, disobeying this instruction, the man spreads the news, leading to challenges for Jesus in openly entering towns.
Leprosy of Negativity
In this digital age, we often find ourselves surrounded by a different kind of leprosy – a contamination that doesn’t affect our skin but our hearts and minds. The leprosy of negativity, comparison, cyberbullying, and addictive behaviors. Many times, our online interactions can leave us feeling unclean and burdened.
Just like the man with leprosy, we need to approach Jesus with boldness, presenting our digital struggles and seeking His cleansing. In prayer, lay before Him the issues you face online – the pressure to conform, the constant comparison, the fear of missing out (FOMO), or even the addictive scrolling. Ask Him to cleanse and renew your online life.
Healing from Negativity
Notice that Jesus wasn’t repulsed by the man’s leprosy; instead, He was indignant about the man’s suffering. Jesus wants to cleanse and heal us from the negativity we encounter online. His touch signifies His willingness to get involved in our digital lives and bring about a transformation.
Jesus warned the cleansed man not to broadcast his healing. Unfortunately, the cleansed man couldn’t contain his joy, and he spread the news everywhere. In the same way, when we experience the transformative power of Christ in our online lives, it becomes challenging to keep it to ourselves. Share the love, positivity, and hope you’ve found in Jesus.
Digital Cleansing
Let’s be intentional about bringing our online lives before Jesus. Seek His cleansing, embrace His indignant love, and let the digital transformation be evident in your actions. As you navigate the online world, be a light that reflects the love and grace of our Savior, and watch how your digital encounters can become opportunities for God’s glory to shine through you. Remember, with Christ, we can cleanse not only our physical selves but also our digital selves.
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
St. Francis of Assisi
Reflective Questions for Spiritual Growth
- How does the leper’s bold approach to Jesus, acknowledging both his need and faith in Jesus’ ability to heal, inspire your approach to bringing your concerns and struggles before God?
- In the passage, Jesus responds with compassion and touches the leper, breaking social and religious norms of that time. How can this act of Jesus challenge you to demonstrate compassion and extend kindness beyond societal expectations in your own life?
- Jesus instructed the healed man to keep the miracle quiet, yet the man’s excitement led him to share the news openly. How can you strike a balance between being authentically excited about the positive transformations in your life through faith, while also respecting the wisdom of God’s timing and guidance in sharing those experiences with others?
Free Social Images & Slides to Share
Feel free to download and share the following images on your social media platforms. Slide backgrounds are available for use in various presentation tools such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, and others:
A Story To Deepen Insight
There was once a man named Elias who was afflicted with leprosy. Society had cast him out, forcing him to live in isolation on the outskirts of the village. Elias was not only battling the physical pain of his condition but also the emotional pain of being rejected by his own community.
One day, a kind-hearted woman named Isabella, known for her compassion, heard about Elias and his suffering. Ignoring the societal norms that shunned interaction with lepers, Isabella decided to visit him. She brought food, clean water, and spent time talking with Elias, treating him with dignity and respect.
Word of Isabella’s actions spread through the village, and some were quick to criticize her for defying the established norms. However, Isabella remained steadfast in her belief that compassion and kindness should know no boundaries.
As weeks passed, something remarkable began to happen. Other villagers, inspired by Isabella’s example, started visiting Elias as well. Slowly but surely, the walls of prejudice began to crumble. Elias, who had once been an outcast, found himself surrounded by people who saw beyond his condition and recognized the shared humanity that connected them all.
Extend Kindness Beyond Expectations
The lesson is clear: Compassion has the power to break down societal barriers. When we extend kindness beyond expectations, we not only alleviate the suffering of others but also inspire positive change within our communities. Like Isabella, we are called to be beacons of love, challenging societal norms that hinder empathy and demonstrating that true compassion knows no bounds.