Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
A God So Near We Can Touch
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
The first reading describes the dedication of the Temple built by King Solomon. God comes to take possession of his temple. It was so holy that the priests could not stay inside to perform their duties.
In the New Testament, God’s Son is close to the people. They recognise the face of Jesus, run after him, and touch his clothes. They can now see and feel the nearness and humanity of God in Jesus Christ.
Opening Prayer
All-loving and healing God,
In your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us
What it means to be fully human
And you let him bring to all who receive him
the healing of forgiveness and life.
Let him touch us with his saving hands
and let him speak to us his restoring word,
that he may make us whole and free
and that with him, we may fight all evil
and serve you, our living God,
and the people you have entrusted to us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (8a) Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us enter into his dwelling,
let us worship at his footstool.
R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Advance, O LORD, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your majesty.
May your priests be clothed with justice;
let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.
For the sake of David your servant,
reject not the plea of your anointed.
R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That the sick and all those who suffer may feel how the Lord Jesus touches them in those who care for them, we pray:
– That those who have lost the way to church may still pray to the Lord, and eventually return to the community, we pray:
– That the men and the women who help keep our churches neat and clean and those who help make our places of worship attractive may grow close to the Lord, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Almighty God,
as we bring before you
these gifts of bread and wine,
we thank you with Jesus and through him,
for the healing you let him bring to us.
Keep touching us with his gentle hands
and speaking to us his kindly words
that restore us and create us anew.
Inspire us to live for one another
and for you, our living God,
now and forever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God,
you let your Son become one of us,
and through him, you can fully understand
the pains and joys we experience.
By the strength and healing, he has brought us here,
may we reach out to one another
and share in each other’s laughter and pain.
And when words fail us,
let us just be near to those who suffer
in respectful silence,
by the grace of him who is near to us
and heals us from all our ills,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
As people healed by the touch of Jesus, let us become healers to one another, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
Jesus’ response to the sick did not proceed from a detached commitment to needy humanity but from compassion towards each person. His action was in response to the hope expressed by the friends of the sick people through their practical readiness to put themselves out for their friends. Except for those with leprosy, the sick do not come to Jesus on their own. They are brought to Jesus by someone who believed that Jesus could make his friend or member of the family well again. Things could be different whenever people were prepared to think not simply of themselves but of each other, particularly of those whose need is greater. The people’s caring initiative was itself a budding expression of the Kingdom, which Jesus came to establish.
Jesus could restore health. The action of Jesus together with the concern of the people who cared could bring about an even deeper healing of the spirit of those who had been sick. Hope and compassion opened the way to miracles through the person of Jesus. Where the sick are healed – is a place of joy and happiness – the Kingdom of God.
Compassion, of itself, may have seemed insignificant, but with God’s blessing it contributed to the construction of the new Kingdom. Would I care to spare my precious time for the person in need to bring him the necessary assistance, to bring him God’s love, to help him touch even the hem of Jesus cloak? And when I do that in Jesus name, miracles will happen.
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Mark 6: 53-56
Touch and be healed
As Pilgrims of Hope in this sacred Year of Jubilee, we are reminded of our mission to follow Jesus with courage, love, and compassion.
Jesus does not remain still; He crosses to the other side, always moving toward those in need. As Christians, we are called to do the same. We cannot stay where it is comfortable or safe; we must go out into the world and reach out to others. Like the disciples, we are sent without delay, without excuses. Even if doors are slammed in our faces, we must persevere, for many souls long for the hope and love of God. Our faith compels us to go forth with enthusiasm, carrying the light of Christ to our brothers and sisters.
The story of the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak reminds us of the power of love and proximity. Her touch came from deep need, a longing to be healed. But true healing happens when we recognise that we are loved by God. Jesus heals with tenderness, closeness, and compassion. As His followers, we too must show tenderness and care to those who suffer, offering a kind word, a listening ear, or a gentle gesture that brings the warmth of Christ’s love.
Finally, we must seek healing from Jesus ourselves so that we can bring healing to others. There are many who carry deep wounds in their hearts—loneliness, resentment, despair. True poverty is not only material; it is the absence of hope and love. Let us follow Jesus, become instruments of His compassion, and help save lives by sharing His love.
Blessed Mother, guide us to follow your Son with courage and love. Teach us to cross boundaries, offer healing, and bring hope to those in need. Amen.
Mark 6:53-56
The Ark becomes Flesh
When Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, it evoked fear and trembling, and no one dared to touch the Ark because touching the Ark could get them killed, as in the case of Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-7). But, Jesus the Son of God, comes rubbing shoulders with the people around him.
There are people milling around Jesus begging him to touch them and reaching out and touching him and getting cured! We witness here the true kenosis (Phil. 2:6-8) - the self-emptying of God for our sake. The "I-Am-Who-Am" is becoming Emmanuel, the "God with Us". The Ark is becoming Flesh, to dwell amidst us as one among us. The fear-evoking presence of God in the Ark becomes the love-inspiring touch of God in Christ.
Mark emphasises a vital message: “All those who touched him were cured.” Indeed, we stand in need of healing. We live in a time when ‘touch’ is no longer appreciated for fear of causing scandals! The Gospel speaks of a touch that could heal – that is to touch the Lord.
The opportunities to touch the Lord are many: In the Eucharist, in the Word of God, in our prayer time and in the lives of all our brothers and sisters around us, Jesus makes himself present to us. But the Gospel reminds us that bringing people to the healing touch of the Lord is as important as personally touching him. Through acts of charity and mercy, we bring Jesus to the people around us.
The self-emptying mission of Christ challenges us today to take up the mission to bring healing, consolation and comfort to the distressed lives of our brothers and sisters. (Courtesy: Fr. Paulson Veliyanoor, CMF)