A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:53-56
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.
REFLECTION: "begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed."
In the chapters before in Mark, Jesus has shown His disciples the miracle of the loaves and the calming of the sea. Yet still they were slow to perceive His power.
Once they crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Genasseret, many people brought their sick friends and neighbors for miraculous healing. They "begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.
How commendable. I doubt there is anyone of us who would deny aid in way of food, clothing or finding miraculous healing for one another. We are able to help their physical needs.
How much greater is the charity to souls for a spiritual healing?
It was not the "touching of the garments" that healed the people because even the Roman soldiers touched the clothes of Jesus, the Messiah, at His crucifixion. It was the Divine Power that came out of Jesus. Their faith and their desire to be with Jesus, their desire to touch his garment, their hunger and thirst for Jesus gave them their miracles.
We all share in the priesthood of Jesus through our baptism. Before our God, we are to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly. We carry out the work of Jesus as a prophet, speaking for God, not just in words but by the way we live. As the people who brought the sick to Jesus, we are to bring God's goodness, God's love, God's tenderness and God's justice to the world. We are to bring as many souls to the Divine love of Jesus.
PAPA's vision is to see priests on fire for Jesus and His Church, the Body and Bride of Christ.
PAPA's mission is to"Go and make disciples of all nations".
God Bless You.
