Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

We learn of Jewish law regarding lepers in Leviticus. Some of the things lepers had to do were to not cut their hair and to wear clothes that were tattered and torn. Likewise, lepers had to live outside of the city boundaries. You also had to yell out unclean when people would pass you by. If you touched someone with leprosy you were considered unclean and became as a leper yourself. In order to be again considered clean you had to be dipped in water many times and had to undergo many customs that were often expensive and lengthy. You must consider how lepers were regarded when studying the Gospel this morning. Jesus knew the law. However, he came upon a leper that begged to be touched and healed. Jesus pitied the man and cured him of the disease. Jesus sternly advised him not to tell anyone. He was told he should go to the priest and show him as a testimony that he had been cured so that he could be considered clean like the law of Moses commanded. However, as soon as he left Jesus he went and started speaking freely about what had happened and did not follow the advice he had been given. Jesus had to go into hiding for a while so that he would not be brought to trial for touching this man and then not following what the law required. Jesus had just got his ministry started when he had healed this leper. This is directly in line with the hymn found on page 95 of the Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal we use called "O How I love Jesus." The song starts "O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus because he first loved me." Jesus did first love us. The story of the leper proves of his love for humanity. If Jesus had been immediately brought to trial for healing the leper (which could have happened) he could have been stoned to death for being unclean and going against the law. Society did not look kindly on lepers. However, Jesus loved humanity (all of us) so much he risked everything to take pity on an unworthy sinner. In the Episcopal church we have been equipped for evangelism. Now, we have to get up and do something about it. We have the best balance of history, tradition, liturgy, science, reason, and spirituality to be a well balanced and unique place to accept all of God's children. Now, let's get to work. We have to go out into the world even though we may not be well received and run the race for Christ. We have to let others know that God loves them even though some churches don't spread his love, we have to stand firm in our belief. God is love. God loves you and God loves me. May we be bold in our approach and quick in our response to God's call to seek and serve Christ in all persons.

Collect:
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray especially for healing for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Pete Stanish, Nathan McConnell, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, Donald Kaltenback, and Susan Beeler.

Pray for all the departed especially:
Mary Jane Walburg

(1st Lesson 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 2nd Lesson 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Holy Gospel Mark 1:40-45)

Annual Mardis Gras party:
Tuesday, February 21st -- social time begins at 6:00PM and dinner starts at 6:30PM. There will be Italian dishes and sangria punch. We will be taking donations to buy a new chasuble for Henry. The good news is we have the money for the chasuble. The bad news it is still in your pockets.

St. Paul is now a Parish! This was approved at the Diocesan Convention yesterday.

Ash Wednesday liturgy and imposition of ashes: February 22 at 6:30PM.