11-Feb-19

Gospel MK 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:
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.
I’m impressed by the selfless attitude of the people of Jesus’ time. As soon as they recognized Jesus, their immediate reaction was to think of others.
With trust in Jesus’ ability to heal, they “scurried about” to bring their sick friends and family members to Him.
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.
Are we so different from those early followers of Christ?
When we learn that our loved ones have received a threatening diagnosis, we “carry” them to Jesus by adding their name to our prayer lines and offering petitions for them at Mass.
Like those early Christians, we trust in Jesus and seek to have those we love “touch the tassel of His robe.”
“Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, we put our trust in You.”
(Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus)