Sacred Scripture
After making the crossing, they 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. (Mark 6:53-56)
Reflection
How would we react if Jesus appeared to us today? Would we seek Him out and ask Him to heal us? What is the healing that we would ask for? Or would we be skeptical and watch Jesus from a safe distance? What is it that might keep us from approaching Jesus and asking Him for what we desire: fear, a sense of unworthiness, skepticism or shyness? For answers, perhaps we need to revisit the scene from today’s Gospel.
The response to Jesus and his power to heal had grown exponentially. After having attempted to escape the crowd for prayer, rest, and renewal, Jesus once again is recognized “and people rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.”
There were two predominant emotions at play here. Hope and Faith. The same two emotions are prevalent today. It is hope that draws us to Jesus as well—the hope that in him we might find some meaning for our lives, courage in the face of overwhelming foes, healing of spirit or body, peace in the midst of turmoil. We come to Jesus with faith in his power to accomplish what we alone cannot do. Some might say that this is little more than wishful thinking, but wishful thinking is based upon luck, the alignment of the stars, or pure chance. Our hope is anchored in the faith that the one to whom we turn knows us personally, cares for us individually, and by the power of his victory over sin and death reigns as the Lord of all creation.
Jesus is in our midst today and every day! However, we may not “see” Him as the people in His day did. However, if we have “eyes of faith,” we will see and experience Jesus. And He will gift us with the grace we need for this day. However, we need to have open eyes and believing hearts! We also need to be on the lookout for Jesus. We need to expect Him to come to us. True, we do not know the day nor the hour nor the manner in which he will appear. However, if we are “awake” we will experience Jesus in some way today! Be alert! He is coming!
Prayer of The Day
Lord Jesus, let my heart sing for joy in your presence. Give me eyes of faith to recognize your presence and fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may walk in your way of love and peace.
Daily Note
Do you pray to the Father with confidence that he will show you his will and give you what you need to follow him? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and gratitude for his merciful love and provision for your life.
