FIRST READING (The leper will dwell apart, making an abode outside the camp.)

A reading from the Book of 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 Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (32:1-2, 5, 11)

R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation. (Ps 32:7)

Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R)

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord”, and you took away the guilt of my sin. (R)

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. (R)

SECOND READING (Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.)

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (10:31-11:1)

Brothers and sisters, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. –The Word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Lk 7:16)

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people. (R)

GOSPEL (The leprosy left him, and he was made clean.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (1:40-45)

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere. –The Gospel of the Lord.

R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.