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: Imagine being a witness to these beautiful events with Jesus curing the sick. His gift of touch or by the touch of his cloak, He was able to bring happiness through healing. Each event had a powerful effect not only on the sick, but He was also doing a visual healing by the non-believers witnessing these Divine events. Also, think about the people that didn’t witness this but saw the people that were sick when they arrived home.
No doubt, Jesus had this awesome ability of touch but when you think of our ability to “touch” someone, then that brings another level of love. Jesus touches us every time we accept Him in communion. There are other spiritual ways that He touches us too. So, He has set the bar for us. We need to have that ability to touch too. There are many examples of touch but let’s just take one for example. When we reach out and shake someone’s hand, you can feel the difference between a half-hearted shake and a strong, two handed, shake. The latter is more inviting, loving and embracing. That handshake is sometimes even “healing” in some mystical way because it makes us feel better because that person is accepting you and truly cares of your engagement. Therefore, this extra-ordinary handshake brings “hope” into that moment in our lives because it’s an invitation for a new companionship, a new bond or alliance, or a new friend. All of this healing comes from a simple touch of a simple handshake.
There is a elderly woman that I work with and is hard working and so sweet and very funny. Just a good soul to be around but when I found out that she never ever hugs anyone, even her family, it “blew me away”. I just couldn’t believe it. I have always wondered what she would be like if she had that ability to hug.
Therefore, God has given us that ability to heal. Not in the sense like this Gospel but in the consciousness of “Spiritual Healing”. We have the ability to make someone feel better or to turn someone’s life around just by accepting and embracing them. All of this through a handshake. Imagine what a hug (The good squeezable kind) or a kiss on someone’s cheek can accomplish. All of these are from the power to touch, to heal and to give hope.
Jesus’ healings were primarily for the purpose to share in the love for each other, therefore bringing the joy of preparing the people to listen to His Word and to ultimately receive the spiritual healing of the forgiveness of their sins.
Action of the Day: Think about those in our lives that are sick and that need just that little glimpse of joy and hope. Of course, prayer can bring them that, but your presence will assure it. Bring them Jesus so they too can heal.
Audio Reflection:
