February 10, 2025

Mark 6:53-56

In today’s reading, when the people recognized Jesus, they gathered the sick and disabled and brought them to Jesus to be healed. The people did this in any town he entered, because news of his healing powers had spread. The sick were laid down in the marketplaces. They “begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.”

The cloak became a conduit for people to touch and connect with divine presence. The robe itself was full of the power of the Lord since it was worn by Jesus. Even now in prayer, we can see Jesus’ robes with our spiritual eyes. His robes are voluminous, and the threads of his robes extend throughout the world, as Isaiah the prophet saw (Isaiah 6:1).  We need only touch one thread to connect with him, and it becomes a conduit of light and love. Can we reach out to touch the sacred thread in our lives today? Can we bring our broken hearts to be healed, taking refuge in Jesus’ robe?