A reading from the gospel according to Mark 6:53-56:

53 After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.
54 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
55 They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
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.

Reflection: In need of healing

In the gospel reading above, we can see people who are longing to be healed. At this point in the ministry of Jesus, He already performed a lot of miracles particularly healing which made Him famous even to the country sides. Thus whenever these people learn of His presence anywhere, they rush to meet Him, bringing with them many sick people and begging Him to heal them. Even those who only touched the tassel of His cloak were healed.

We are all in need of healing. Many aspects of our life are in need of healing. Some people are afflicted with illnesses that even experts in medicine are clueless about. Others have psychological problems and still others are emotionally drained and weighed down with burdens and they too long for respite.

We may say that the people in the gospel reading were very lucky to meet Jesus in person and luckier were those who got healed. Yet for those of us who believe in Him should not envy them. Jesus is alive and He is available to tend to our needs even at this very moment. Like the people in our gospel reading, may we have the eyes of faith to recognize His presence. Moreover, may we have the same faith in His healing power. We cannot touch Him physically so let us ask Jesus instead to touch us and heal us. Also, let us be an instrument for the healing of others. We may not physically bring the sick to hospital but our prayers can be powerful enough to bring them to health.