Breaking New Ground? Yes, You Can! ~ by Mary Ann Allen
Fr. Peter Akpoghiran, Priest in Residence at St. Patrick's was our homilist today, the third Sunday of Black History Month.
In today's Gospel of Mark, we learn what it meant to be a leper during the time of Jesus. Lepers were ostracized by the community. They were forced to live in their own colonies outside the cities. Whenever they came into the city wearing their torn clothes, they were ordered to ring a bell and shout, "Unclean! Unclean!" This ensured that they would never have any personal contact with other people. It was unthinkable that anyone would touch them.
In spite of the prohibitions under which he lived, a leper was determined to speak to Jesus. He sought Jesus out and said: "If you wish, you can make me clean."
Jesus saw the leper's faith and immediately did the unthinkable. Jesus reached out and touched the leper. "I do will it. Be made clean."
Just as the leper did, we can achieve what we set out to do if we have determination and faith in God. Can you do it? Yes, you can! Perhaps not through your own power, but with the help of God you can break new ground.
Just as Moses understood that he would not reach the promised land himself; and Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized that he might not be there when the goals of equality were achieved, we can give others the opportunity to do so.
We need the younger generation to break new ground. Education is the key to the future. There are more opportunities for the present generation than there were for their parents.
Whatever we ask for in prayer, we must believe that it is done; that we will receive it. We may make mistakes along the way, but we can learn wisdom from them. We must pick ourselves up and keep going.
Have faith in yourself and in God. Believe in yourself and others will believe in you. Action changes people's minds! With determination and divine assistance, you will be able to break new ground. When you reach your goal, you can say, "Yes, I did it!"
~ Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
In today's Gospel of Mark, we learn what it meant to be a leper during the time of Jesus. Lepers were ostracized by the community. They were forced to live in their own colonies outside the cities. Whenever they came into the city wearing their torn clothes, they were ordered to ring a bell and shout, "Unclean! Unclean!" This ensured that they would never have any personal contact with other people. It was unthinkable that anyone would touch them.
In spite of the prohibitions under which he lived, a leper was determined to speak to Jesus. He sought Jesus out and said: "If you wish, you can make me clean."
Jesus saw the leper's faith and immediately did the unthinkable. Jesus reached out and touched the leper. "I do will it. Be made clean."
Just as the leper did, we can achieve what we set out to do if we have determination and faith in God. Can you do it? Yes, you can! Perhaps not through your own power, but with the help of God you can break new ground.
Just as Moses understood that he would not reach the promised land himself; and Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized that he might not be there when the goals of equality were achieved, we can give others the opportunity to do so.
We need the younger generation to break new ground. Education is the key to the future. There are more opportunities for the present generation than there were for their parents.
Whatever we ask for in prayer, we must believe that it is done; that we will receive it. We may make mistakes along the way, but we can learn wisdom from them. We must pick ourselves up and keep going.
Have faith in yourself and in God. Believe in yourself and others will believe in you. Action changes people's minds! With determination and divine assistance, you will be able to break new ground. When you reach your goal, you can say, "Yes, I did it!"
~ Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~
Labels: black history month, sundayreflection
posted by mary ann @ Monday, February 16, 2009
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