The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter

“Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 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.’ The 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.” (MK 1: 44-45)

There are moments when Our Lord asked people to be witnesses, to go and share with others what happened to them, but also there are moments when Jesus, like in today’s Gospel, “warning him sternly . . . said to him, ’see that you tell no one anything.’” But this man “went away and began to publicize the whole matter.” As a consequence “it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.” Sometimes Our Lord speaks only to us. 

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst, God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation)