Fr Frank writes:
My dear Friends,
Many of us have recently succumbed to a cold or, if we are unfortunate, a bout of the nasty flu that’s been doing the rounds. In addition to our physical aches and pains we experience something that often comes with illness – the loneliness and isolation of being sick – being cut off from friends and church life.
That would certainly be true of the leper in today’s Gospel reading. Not only had he a painful illness, but he also suffered from loneliness and isolation. As a leper he would have been forced to live in the open country, cut off from family, community and collective religious practice. Into that sad situation steps Jesus. He does the unthinkable. He touches the leper. No action could be simpler and yet that simplest of actions transforms the leper’s life.
Very often it is the simplest of gestures that can mean so much. Let’s all reach out to a lonely person this week, perhaps someone we know who is housebound.
Lent begins on Wednesday. There will be Mass with the imposition of Ashes in both parishes.
My apologies, once again, to long-suffering Frinton parishioners, but owing to a last-minute appointment at Basildon Hospital I have had to cancel the Mass planned for Thursday. There will be a service of the Word and Holy Communion instead. My thanks, as always, to our wonderful Eucharistic Ministers.
May the God of compassion reach out to you in your hour of need.
Frank ofs
Sunday Smile:
What does my friend call his secret life as a priest? His altar ego.
More silly notes left for the milkman:
Sorry not to have paid your bill before, but my wife had a baby and I’ve been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks.
Milk is needed for the baby. Father unable to provide it.