Tag: the crowd

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (MK 6:53-56)

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.

Jesus and his disciples cross to the other side of the sea and come Gennesaret. As they leave the boat, people immediately recognize him. They send out word around the surrounding country that he is present and begin to bring the sick to him wherever he goes. Whether in remote areas or in the marketplaces of towns, Jesus heals whoever he encounters merely by their touching the tassel of his cloak. How similar this is to the Eucharist, divided among many, in which we extend our hands to touch the Body of Christ and enter into profound union with him.

God, just as Solomon desired to have you present in a dwelling where you could abide forever, help me have the same fervor to make of myself a place for you to dwell. Give me the grace to receive Jesus in the Eucharist with an understanding of who it is I receive and what it means to be united to him in his sacrifice on the cross. And united in the Paschal Mystery, sanctify and strengthen me. Lord, as the people in Jesus’ time immediately recognized him, let me recognize your presence in the greatest needs of others.

From the Gospel acclamation: “Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.” Saint Agatha, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1:29-39)

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Early in his public ministry in Capernaum, Jesus responds to the needs of the people he encounters, healing many who were sick or possessed by demons. After healing Simon’s mother-in-law, in his compassion Jesus “healed many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons.” Next, Mark describes the priorities of Jesus in his daily routine, rising early before dawn to find solitude and spend time with the Father in prayer. Simon and others pursue Jesus, seeming to call him away from prayer. Yet, Jesus reveals to Simon the fruit of prayer—perfect fulfillment of the will of the Father. “For this purpose have I come.”

God, grant me the means to take in today’s readings and lay them out as a path for the week ahead. “So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. . . . My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope.” Job’s words from the first reading describe the suffering and loss he experienced in life. They also suggest the hopelessness of the many people who came to Jesus to be healed by his touch but also by every word of hope that he spoke. In my moments of discouragement and numbering days and months ahead, help me remember who you are, the one who calls me by name and numbers the stars. You, Lord, are truth itself and hope realized.

From the responsorial psalm: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:30-34)

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Mark describes the compassion of Jesus when he sees the large crowd that comes to him from surrounding towns. Before all of this takes place, the Twelve gather together with Jesus and tell him all that they have done and taught after he sent them out. Desiring their well-being, Jesus says to them: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” As it turns out, people still come to them, and they find no respite. So they go off by boat to a deserted place, but the people are aware of this and arrive by foot before Jesus and the apostles. There among the vast crowd, Jesus meets their needs with pity and shepherds the shepherdless with his teachings.

God, as Solomon asked of you, I ask for an understanding heart today to distinguish right from wrong. That is a gift I know you readily give to those who ask for it in sincerity. Give me grace to see where the greater need is—what is just—even if I feel that you call me to rest and reflect quietly on your goodness. The gift of understanding came to Jesus in the form of tears as he looked among the vast crowd who came to him. Allow me the opportunity today to put selflessness into practice in caring for others, and the wisdom to recognize how to discern with compassion what the greatest need is.

From the responsorial psalm: “With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands. Lord, teach me your statutes.” Stay with me, Lord, day and night.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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