Sunday, February 18 : Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1,35-45.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.
And Simon and his companions hunted for him.
When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’
He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’
And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’
Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’
Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
After sternly warning him he sent him away at once,
saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’
But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

maronite readings – rosary,team