1st Reading – Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch
which appears to be the sore of leprosy,
he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest,
or to one of the priests among his descendants.
If the man is leprous and unclean,
the priest shall declare him unclean
by reason of the sore on his head.

“The one who bears the sore of leprosy
shall keep his garments rent and his head bare,
and shall muffle his beard;
he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’
As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament. It is traditionally attributed to Moses, who is considered the author of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch or Torah.

The primary focus of Leviticus is on the religious and ritual practices of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Leviticus emphasizes the concept of holiness and purity, setting forth rules for ethical living and outlining the consequences for disobedience. A refrain throughout Leviticus is that the Lord’s people shall be holy, because the Lord is holy.

Today’s first reading concerns the laws of purity related to leprosy. Continue reading “Feb 11, 2024: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)” →