Scriptual Commentary

6th Sunday of Ordinary – Appreciating the Power of God’s Love

| Fr. William Smith

Healing of the Lepers at Capernaum, James Tissot, 1886–1894, Brooklyn Museum

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the First Reading
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Leviticus 13:1–2, 44–46
February 14, 2021
 

Today’s first reading from Leviticus might seem to have little to teach us other than the primitive nature of ancient medicine. It does reflect this but much more as well. Before looking at the passage itself we need to examine three issues: the role of the tribe of Levi, the nature of holiness and what ailments were considered skin diseases.

Although counted among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was not given land of its own after the conquest of Canaan. This was not a punishment but a reward for their faithfulness and zeal for the Lord and his Law. They earned this honor when Moses had returned to the Hebrews camp to find the people worshipping a golden calf.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

| St. Charles Borromeo

Please join us to celebrate the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time on Sunday, February 14th:

  • 9 AM EST – Morning Mass – In Person at the Church, not live streamed.
  • 11:15 AM EST Community Mass In Person at the Church and also streamed online and available for playback.

    Instructions to view the Mass are available here. You can also watch the video via YouTube Live in the window above.

Today’s readings and hymns are available to download here:

2021-02-14Download

Homilies, Videos

5th Sunday Ordinary Time – Homily (Fr. Smith)

| St. Charles Borromeo

Gospel means good news. And as it was usually an edict of or command of an emperor, did not have particularly religious connotations.

Christ means anointed one in Hebrew.

Messiah, a person much desired, but also much to be feared. And again, would have many tasks that we would consider not even remotely religious.

“Son of God” is a bit ambiguous and could mean merely a good Israelite. But this ambiguity is removed in a few verses when, after Jesus’s baptism, the Father calls him his beloved son. An unprecedented statement of intimacy.

Like the first readers of St. Mark, we know how this ends. Jesus is executed, but rises again. Those who heard him live and in person did not know the conclusion. Mark will use the apostles to show us what these people thought and experienced throughout the gospel. He will always emphasize that they were mostly clueless and needed to have everything explained to them, and sometimes have the best dragged out of them. Think of Dr. Watson from Sherlock Holmes – but without the good manners.

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Bulletin

Update from Fr. Smith on Ash Wednesday

| Fr. William Smith
Wed. Feb. 17
12:10 PM – Mass (will be streamed live and posted online for later viewing)
5 PM – Service

Ash Wednesday will look different this year. To protect everyone, we will distribute ashes the “Roman Way.” In the city of Rome and most of Europe, a cross is not drawn on the head with ashes but rather sprinkled on the head (see above illustration by parishioner Eduardo Crespo). While there is great witness value of making a visible cross, the “Roman Way’ will help to keep us all safe during the pandemic. At both our Ash Wednesday Mass and Service, the distribution of blessed ashes will be at the dismissal. We will follow the same procedure as the reception of Holy Communion to maintain social distancing.

Please remember that you can attend Mass on Ash Wednesday and not receive ashes. It is what is in your heart that matters. I will remain in the Church after the Mass for about 30 minutes after Mass. Ashes will not be distributed on an individual basis at any other time; however, the church will remain open for private prayer until 2 PM.

Please help us spread the word about our Ash Wednesday schedule and the distribution of ashes as we don’t want people trudging over in the cold to find a locked door. Ash Wednesday is usually a busy day where people come throughout the day to receive ashes. However, we will not be able to accommodate that this year due to the pandemic.

In Christ,
Fr. Bill Smith

Bulletin

Black Americans on the Way to Sainthood: Pierre Toussaint

| St. Charles Borromeo

Pierre Toussaint (1766 – 1854) Successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former slave
by Fritz Cherubin, Jr.
Venerable Pierre Toussaint was born into slavery on June 27, 1766 on the French colony Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). He was educated as a child by his owners, the Bérard family; trained as a house slave; and raised as a Catholic.

On the brink of the Haitian Revolution (a beautiful story for another time), the Bérards moved to New York City along with their slaves, including Pierre and his sister, Rosalie. It was here in New York City, where Pierre first apprenticed and then became one of New York’s leading hairdressers, especially for the upper class. His reputation as a skilled hairdresser allowed him to earn a good living. In fact, he discreetly supported Madame Bérard through his earnings after her husband’s death. He was granted freedom at the age of 45 upon Madame Bérard’s death. By that point, he had saved enough money to pay for his sister’s freedom and purchase a house in Manhattan (unheard of at the time). He took the surname of Toussaint, honoring Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the Haitian Revolution.

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