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

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.

It saddens me for Jesus to picture the scene described in today’s gospel.

At the sight of Jesus “people immediately recognized him” and “scurried to bring in the sick.”

Their first thought was what they could get from Jesus. There is no sense of graciousness or even common courtesy here.

There is no “Welcome Lord! Thank you for visiting our village. May we offer you food and drink? Please tell us what we can do to help you bring about God’s will on earth.”

How often have I acted the same, “Help me with this, Lord.”……”Heal my relationship, Lord.”….Cure my friends illness, Lord.”

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.

Those who spend their lives serving the needs of others know that it can be both physically and emotionally draining.

Jesus had pity and healed them all. Do we ever wonder at what cost?

Today’s gospel is a reminder for me to be loving and gracious to the One who gave His life so that I may know the depth of God’s love for me.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”   Psalm 9:1