Welcome to the fourth day of our Lenten Bible study through Mark’s gospel. You may find the study is posted late today as I am in San Bernadino CA leading a parish mission.

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Today we conclude the first chapter of Mark’s gospel.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.36Simon and those who were with him pursued him37and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”38He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”39So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

The Cleansing of a Leper.40 A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”41Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”42The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.43Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.44Then 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.” 45The 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.

Read my commentary on the gospel reading here.