Another week, another healing story from Mark. But before we get into that, the “Catholic Charities Annual Appeal” kicks off this weekend, and Archbishop Zinkula has asked us to read a message at all the Masses, so here is his message:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As faithful communities of salt and light, we are called to stand as beacons of hope to those facing adversity, serving as a testament to the boundless grace of God working through us as a gift to one another and the world.
This year, our annual fundraising appeal at Catholic Charities bears a special theme - "Be the Light." Drawing inspiration from the enduring message of faith and compassion found in the Gospel of Matthew, we invite you to join us in illuminating the lives of those most vulnerable in our community.
The critical work of Catholic Charities, firmly rooted in Catholic Social Teachings, brings together the sanctity of family, community, and the dignity of the human person. These principles are the foundation of our moral vision for society. They are based on our recognition that each person is created in the image and likeness of God. Embracing the call to love one another, we also bear the responsibility of ensuring universal access to the common good, enabling every person not only to survive but to thrive.
Let us not forget that it is the collective radiance of our individual lights that weaves a vibrant tapestry of compassion and love. Thank you for your generous commitment to our annual appeal and all the ways you are sharing the light of Christ throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque. I am grateful for your continued benevolence.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula
Archbishop of Dubuque
So, the Archbishop is asking us to be benevolent and give a good donation to Catholic Charities, right? And “giving a donation” is really a “sacrifice,” which is a theme throughout our scripture readings today, especially this healing of leprosy.
Our first reading tells how the disease of leprosy was handled, normally it was a death sentence, but, if someone were to be healed, they were to go to the priest in the temple and offer a “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving” for their cleansing.
So after Jesus healed him, He told him “go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” It seems a little unnecessary to go to the priest at that point, but he had to go offer the necessary sacrifice, as little as two birds, but it could have also been two lambs or two calves, it seems to be based on what someone could afford.
Sacrifices are a natural part of worship. Every Mass is a re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us, and we are to offer sacrifices along with that. In a few minutes, I’ll say, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours, may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” And you will respond back, “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.”
And then I say the Prayer over the Offerings which is different every week - listen in advance to that prayer that the Church gives me this weekend, just the beginning, I’ll say, “May this oblation, O Lord, we pray, cleanse and renew us…”
This word “Oblation” is used in that prayer about every other week, but the word is really only used during Mass - so I often wonder if anyone stops to consider what it means - it just means “a thing presented or offered to God.” And here, the Church is saying our “oblation” is a sacrifice - “to cleanse and renew us”!
When I was younger, I thought of these prayers simply saying the money that we put in the collection basket, that’s offered to the church, and then it is used to buy this bread and wine, but as I have grown and learned, I have realized we are offering our very selves, our whole lives, we are supposed to mentally put ourselves on the Altar as an offering to God as well.
When we are able to truly offer our lives as a sacrifice, it is then that we are cleansed and renewed, we are cleansed of our sins, we remove our attachments to money and the things of this world, and we are renewed, mind, body and spirit. Our sacrifices are really just giving back to God what He has given to us, a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, “to cleanse and renew us”!