GOSPEL READING:
Mark 6:53-5653 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
Meditation: Do you recognize the Lord's presence in your
life? The Gospel records that when Jesus disembarked from the boat
the people immediately recognized him. What did they
recognize in Jesus? A prophet, a healer, the Messiah, the Son of
God? For sure they recognized that Jesus had power from God to
heal and to make whole bodies, limbs, minds, and hearts that were
beset with disease, affliction, and sin. What happened when they
pressed upon him and touched the fringe of his garment? They were
made well. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to meet our needs as
well. Do you approach him with expectant faith?
Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you and the power of his word for your life?
Faith is an entirely free gift which God makes to us through the
power of the Holy Spirit. Believing and trusting in God to act in
our lives is only possible by the grace and help of the Holy
Spirit who moves the heart and converts it to God. The Holy Spirit
opens the eyes of the mind and helps us to understand, accept, and
believe God's word. How do we grow in faith? By listening to God's
word with trust and submission. Faith also grows through testing
and perseverance. The Lord wants to teach us how to pray in faith
for his will for our lives and for the things he wishes to give us
to enable us to follow him faithfully and serve him generously.
Do you seek the Lord Jesus and put his kingdom first?
Jesus gave his disciples the perfect prayer which acknowledges
God as our Father who provides generously for his children. The
Lord's prayer teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and to
pray that God's will be accomplished in our lives. The Lord in
turn, gives us what we need to live each day for his glory. The
Lord is never too distant nor too busy to meet us and to give his
blessing. 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.
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.
Psalm 132:6-10
6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool."
8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For your servant David's sake do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Christ's wounds bring healing and life, by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"The Lord of hosts was not signaling weakness as he gave sight to
the blind, made the crooked to stand upright, raised the dead to
life (Matthew 11:5), anticipated the effects of
medicine at our prayers, and cured those who sought after him.
Those who merely touched the fringe of his robe were healed (Mark
6:56). Surely you did not think it was some divine
weakness, you speculators, when you saw him wounded. Indeed there
were wounds that pierced his body (Matthew 27:35; Mark
15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18, 31-37), but they did not
demonstrate weakness but strength. For from these wounds flowed
life to all, from the One who was the life of all." (excerpt
from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 4.5.54-55.16)
