Today we are told that Jesus faced temptations. That He was tempted by Satan. I highlight this verbiage because far too often we Roman Catholics have a very stringent definition of being “holy.” For us, holiness is a perfected state where no sin exists, no crack in the “armor” of Faith is present, and therefore, no chance of falling to temptation. For in actuality, holiness, at least in this earthly realm, is not a perfected state but rather it is defined as being “set apart” from the world: no better, but different; seeking a new way of life

This last Gospel in Ordinary Time before Lent begins illustrates the healing power and compassion of Christ—and it’s a good message for us today in the midst of our own pandemic’s isolation. Christ crosses the boundary of illnesses and heals a man suffering with leprosy, man who would be required to isolate from his community and even rip his clothes and announce his presence to anyone coming near. Think how isolating and debilitating that would be....

Ash Wednesday, 17 February 2021, begins the Lenten season. Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation. “By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.” (attribution: About Catholics) Lent is a season of prayer, almsgiving and preparation for our spiritual journey into the Great Easter Resurrection and understanding the gift from Christ of everlasting life.

In the Gospel of Mark for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus enters the house of “Simon and Andrew with two other apostles and found Simon’s mother-in-law sick with a fever. He approached her, grasped her hand, and helped her up. We are told that then “the fever left her and she waited on them.” After sunset, they brought more people to Jesus who were either possessed by demons or were ill, He cured many and drove the demons out. And each day, after His work of preaching and healing, Jesus refreshed Himself in prayer.