Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Mark 6.53-56
When Jesus and his disciples had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Reflection
They begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Most of us know people who can recount the time they found themselves in the presence of someone famous, someone others would easily recognize. Those famous people might be high-achieving sports personalities, well-known actors from stage or screen, pop stars or royalty. Whoever and whatever those famous people may be, those who were in their presence seem to assume a mysterious added dimension because they spent a few fleeting seconds in the presence of one or more of their heroes. But, worldly fame is a fickle commodity. As fame fades so does the powerful effect of that special memory. As truths emerge about those we idolise, their ‘specialness’ diminishes and our moment in their presence becomes nothing more than a vaguely amusing anecdote.
In today’s reading we are told of a moment when crowds rushed to be in the presence of Jesus. They did not feel the need to speak with him, they just wanted to be alongside him. Whether he was in villages or cities or farms, the crowds brought their sick and laid them before him. The crowds swarmed around Jesus because of his fame, and because they knew that spending a moment in his presence would be life-changing.
Jesus brought healing and wholeness into this damaged and divided world. The ‘specialness’ of being in Jesus’ presence was not something that would fade, it would be there for ever. As the leper was cleansed, the mobility of the disabled was restored, as sight and hearing were renewed, and as demons were exorcised, lives were really changed in a way that none would ever forget.
Jesus is now reigning alongside his Father in heaven but, through the divine grace, mercy and love of God, he is still in our midst. We are being invited to recognise that presence. We are being called to join those who gather around their Lord and Saviour in praise and rejoicing. We are being called to lay our cares and concerns at Jesus’ feet, trusting in his unique ability to heal and make whole. Let us pray that, as we are confronted with the challenges of life, we might stretch out our hands and touch the fringe of his cloak, certain in the knowledge that healing and peace come from him alone.
Prayers
In peace, let us pray to Jesus our Lord,
who ever lives to make intercession for us.
Saviour of the world,
be present in all places of suffering, violence and pain,
and bring hope even in the darkest night.
Inspire us to continue your work of reconciliation today.
Lord of the Church,
empower by your Spirit all Christian people,
and the work of your Church in every land.
Give us grace to proclaim the gospel joyfully in word and deed.
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls,
guide and enable all who lead and serve this community
and those on whom we depend for our daily needs.
Grant that we may seek the peace and welfare of this place.
Great Physician,
stretch out your hand to bring comfort, wholeness and peace
to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.
Fill us with compassion, that we may be channels of
your healing love.
Conqueror of death,
remember for good those whom we love but see no longer.
Help us to live this day in the sure and certain hope of
your eternal victory.
Let us commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Eternal God,
whose Son went among the crowds
and brought healing with his touch:
help us to show his love,
in your Church as we gather together,
and by our lives as they are transformed
into the image of Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord bless us and watch over us,
the Lord make his face shine upon us
and be gracious to us,
the Lord look kindly on us
and give us peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
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