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Karaniwang Panahon
Lectionary: 375
In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his whole army advanced against Jerusalem, encamped around it, and built siege walls on every side. The siege of the city continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. On the ninth day of the fourth month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people had no more bread, the city walls were breached. Then the king and all the soldiers left the city by night through the gate between the two walls that was near the king’s garden. Since the Chaldeans had the city surrounded, they went in the direction of the Arabah. But the Chaldean army pursued the king and overtook him in the desert near Jericho, abandoned by his whole army. The king was therefore arrested and brought to Riblah to the king of Babylon, who pronounced sentence on him. He had Zedekiah’s sons slain before his eyes. Then he blinded Zedekiah, bound him with fetters, and had him brought to Babylon.On the seventh day of the fifth month (this was in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, captain of the bodyguard, came to Jerusalem as the representative of the king of Babylon. He burned the house of the Lord, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every large building was destroyed by fire. Then the Chaldean troops who were with the captain of the guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem. Then Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, led into exile the last of the people remaining in the city, and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the last of the artisans. But some of the country’s poor, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, left behind as vinedressers and farmers.
R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you! By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. On the aspens of that land we hung up our harps. R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you! Though there our captors asked of us the lyrics of our songs, And our despoilers urged us to be joyous: “Sing for us the songs of Zion!” R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you! How could we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand be forgotten! R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you! May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, If I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will do it. Be made clean.” His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Via USCCB
Today’s readings present a jarring, heartbreaking contrast. In the first reading, we witness the absolute "rock bottom" of the Old Testament: Jerusalem falls, the Temple burns, and the people are dragged into exile. It is a picture of total loss and spiritual homelessness. Yet, in the Gospel, Jesus descends the mountain and immediately encounters a leper-a man experiencing his own personal exile from society. The connection is profound: God does not abandon us in our wreckage. Whether it is a city in flames or a body broken by disease, Jesus is not afraid of our ruins. He steps right into the mess to touch, heal, and restore.
Let's look at the leper’s specific approach. In the ancient world, he should have been hiding or shouting "Unclean!" to warn people away. Instead, he breaks protocol and approaches Jesus with a prayer that changes everything: *"Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean."*
Unlike King Zedekiah in the first reading, who tried to flee from his problems in the dark of night, the leper runs *toward* Mercy in broad daylight. In our modern lives-perhaps when you’ve hurt a family member or failed a major project-the instinct is to hide, blame, or run away. The leper challenges you to bring your brokenness directly to Jesus, trusting his power more than your shame.
The "If You Wish" Prayer: Next time you face a frustration today (traffic, a difficult coworker, a headache), pause and pray the leper's prayer: *"Lord, if you wish, you can handle this situation."* Surrender the outcome to Him immediately.
Visit the "Ruins": Spend 5 minutes this evening in silence. Identify one area of your life that feels like Jerusalem in the first reading-burned out, broken, or empty. Don't try to fix it; just invite Jesus to sit in the rubble with you.
Have you ever felt like the Israelites by the rivers of Babylon-spiritually dry, far from home, and unable to "sing the Lord's song"? What caused that season?
The leper asked for healing, but he prefaced it with submission to Jesus' will. Is your prayer life more about demanding what you want, or trusting what He wishes?
Jesus touched the leper *before* the man was cleansed. How does it change your view of God to know He touches you even while you are still struggling with sin?
What "walls" have you built around your heart that might actually need to be breached so God can enter?
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