Jesus displays his authority over sin and suffering. In the Gospel passage, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus, who first declares that the man's sins are forgiven, showing his authority over sin. Jesus then heals the man of his paralysis, demonstrating authority over sickness as well. Some scribes question Jesus' ability to forgive sins, but he proves his authority by commanding the paralyzed man to rise and walk, healing him instantly to the amazement of all.

1. February 12, 2012 Gospel
And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling
said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean.“
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched
him, and said to him, "I will; be clean.“ And
immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made
clean. And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at
once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to any
one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your
cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the
people.“ But he went out and began to talk freely about it,
and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer
openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and
people came to him from every quarter.

2.  Lepers during the time of Jesus
were condemned, rejected and
exiled by the society.
 They experienced agony, pain and
hopelessness.
 But with Jesus this is not the case –
He let lepers approach him, he
even touched them and healed
many of them – both both and
spirit.

3. Today there are many types of “leprosy” in
our society. e.g. physical leprosy,
handicaps, the drug sddicts, AIDS victims,
those uin extreme poverty and ignorance.
These people, in one way or the other
experience rejection: these people are often
condemned to isolation and prejudices.
As Christians we are expected to show
pity, love and concern to these people as
Jesus did.

4. A leper approached Jesus. Instead of avoiding him.
Jesus extends help to him.
The leper’s faith made Jesus cure him.
As a sign of humility (and the time is not yet at
hand) Jesus warned the leper not to tell this to
anyone. Instead Jesus asked him to show himself
to the priests as prescribed by Moses: a proof of
healing. But the leper proclaimed Jesus instead
As Christians we are expected to show
pity, love and concern to these people as
Jesus did.

5. February 19, 2012 Gospel
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days,
it was reported that he was at home. And many were
gathered together, so that there was no longer room for
them, not even about the door; and he was preaching
the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a
paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not
get near him because of the crowd, they removed the
roof above him; and when they had made an opening,
they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And
when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"My son, your sins are forgiven.“ Now some of the
scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
"Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who
can forgive sins but God alone?”

6. February 19, 2012 Gospel
And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit
that they thus questioned within themselves, said
to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins
are forgiven,' or to say,' Rise, take up your pallet
and walk? But that you may know that the Son of
man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said
to the paralytic-- "I say to you, rise, take up your
pallet and go home.“ And he rose, and
immediately took up the pallet and went out before
them all; so that they were all amazed and
glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything
like this!”

7. We are afflicted by many forms of illnesses and
weaknesses. We ay be physically healthy but we
may have problems in the emotional and spiritual
aspects of our life. We need total healing which
only God can give.
Jesus came to give us this “healing.” He is the
bearer of salvation that can liberate us from all
our “wounds” and longings.
Jesus start to heal our sinfulness. If this is heal
our “wounds” and other longings can be healed
and we can become better persons.

8. The Jews expected a political Messiah who
will liberate them from foreign yoke, but
Jesus was not! He came to liberate us in a
much deeper and far-reaching situations, in
particular - our sinfulness. He came to
liberate us from our enslavement in sin.
In the Gospel, Jesus displays authority and
power over sin and suffering. He showed first
his authority over sin and then over sickness.

9. February 22, 2012 (Ash Wednesday)
"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be
seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your
Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give alms, sound
no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I
say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you
give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father
who sees in secret will reward you.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for
they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you,
they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into
your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in
secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

10. February 22, 2012 (Ash Wednesday)
"And when you fast, do not look dismal,
like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their
faces that their fasting may be seen by
men. Truly, I say to you, they have
received their reward. But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face, that
your fasting may not be seen by men but
by your Father who is in secret; and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you.

11. 3 religious acts mentioned by Jesus in the Gospel.
Almsgiving – to give or share something to our less
fortunate brothers and sisters
Prayer - not only for your self but for others as
well; sincerity and humility in prayer
Fasting – to sacrifice; whatever we can save,
give it to the poor.
Jesus’ warning:
Do not be hypocrite!
Do not boast of what you are doing
Do not let others know what you are doing!
Otherwise you are already rewarded.
Jesus’ admonitions:
Be humble, do everything sincerely
God who sees your heart will reward you.

12. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
(Mk 1:12-15)
At once the Spirit drove him out into
the desert, and he remained in the
desert for forty days, tempted by
Satan. He was among wild beasts, and
the angels ministered to him. After
John had been arrested, * Jesus came
to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of
God: “This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."

13. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
 We often experience the need to
make a fresh start.
 This need usually happens after
our experience of failure,
frustrations, fatigue and even
sickness.
 We want to bounce back.

14. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
Lent is a golden moment, a divine
opportunity given by God so that we can
renew, refresh and strengthen our life –
practically in all aspects.
We need healing for the wounds caused by
sin and acquire virtues to strengthen our life.
We need to transform and be strong in our
spiritual life.

15. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
In this Lenten Season, God is
inviting us to repentance that
would lead to our transformation.
God has once again taken the
initiative.
What is our response?

16. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
In Jesus’ baptism, his mission was
formally announced and his identity
confirmed.
The Holy Spirit (dove) appeared as a sign
of his confirmation as the suffering
servant (Messiah) – this stresses his
humanity;
The voice of the Father declared his
divinity (my beloved Son).

17. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
After his baptism, Jesus retreated to
the desert and prayed before he
started his apostolic life or
preaching.
In the desert Jesus showed us the
power of prayer and his strength to
overcome temptation. He
experienced what we all experience
and overcame it.

18. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
What are these temptation?
1. To turn stones into bread:
Money
2. Throw yourself down:
Power
3. All the kingdoms of the world:
Prestige

19. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
With these as the background, we
are made aware of two things in the
life of Jesus:
3.His victory over sin / Satan
4.It heralded the start of his public
ministry (the proclamation of the
Gospel)

20. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL
Questions for reflection:
(on page 126 - God’s Word in my Life)
1. Answer question #1. If yes, how? If not, why?
3. Answer question #2.
Why? What plans do I have this Lenten
season in order to strengthen it?
6. In what way will I practice fasting and
abstinence this Lenten Season? Give at least
two and explain how you do them.

21. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL

22. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL

23. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL

24. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL

25. FEBRUARY 26 GOSPEL