November 20, 2022
Gospel – February 10, 2020 – 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.
What I think today is this is a really good chance to do an Ignatian exercise. Just find a quiet place and either sit down or lie down and exercise your imagination.
Imagine you are Peter, stepping off the boat and you see people looking. You are sweaty from rowing across the water from however far away. You were thinking you might have a bit of time with your teacher.
But immediately, you see that everyone recognizes the man known as Jesus. And off they go but there is no downtime. Almost immediately they are bringing their family, friends and anyone who is sick because they know Jesus is the answer. They beg Jesus to touch them or just let them touch the hem of his garment.
How do we respond? Are we agitated that our time is being taken by the unending needy? Do we try to start organizing the sick? Are we helping or are we hindering?
I think by this time we know what we would do. I think we know that Jesus isn’t going to leave the sick forsaken – even if it means no rest.
At least that’s what I heard Him say…
What I Heard Him Say 