“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.” (MK 6: 56)

We always have some sick people around us, to say nothing about ourselves. The same strategy is also for today: bring “the sick,” our relatives and friends who are not well, to Our Lord. If “only the tassel on his cloak” was enough, how about His Eucharistic presence.

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” (MK 1: 35)

We know this, we learned this during Programs, we repeat this all the time, but it is always good to refresh this idea often—Our Lord didn’t go “off to a deserted place, where he prayed” to DO something but to BE with someone. Prayer is not about actions but relationships. When we organize the time for us, as a couple, we do not think about speaking about logistics or annual planning meeting, but about knowing each other, sharing our gentleness, respect, and free, creative, and joyful gift of self. We meet to be better people, not to do more effective work.

“Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.” (MK 6: 30)

Their first mission, their first moment for being alone two by two, their first experience and first impressions. And now, they have a sort of Q&A session with Our Lord. How important it is to meet after our different missions with Our Lord and report to Him what we “had done and taught.” He is always interested in our missions; He always supports us and wants to be with us with all the answers we need. Our mission could be as parents for our children, as leaders in our companies, or as coaches during Programs. It is always good to “gather together with Jesus” after. 

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“When he heard him speak, he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.” (MK 6: 20)

When we know that we are loved, when we are respected, when we feel that somebody really cares, even though we feel “perplexed,” still we are very open and “liked to listen.” God wants for us only the best. He doesn’t want to scare us or punish us; He wants us to love and be loved. If we feel perplexed, it is because we are not going in the right direction. 

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” (MK 6: 8)

The radicalism of the Lord Jesus seems unsustainable nowadays. I know how to travel light, but still, to travel, we need to have something (Bible, Liturgy of Hours, traveling “chapel,” ID—so we need some “sack.” But Our Lord’s teaching is not about not having, but always about being. It is not what to have or not to have, but to be free, connected with Our Lord, Who provides, Who takes care, and is the One, Who sends us for this mission. Our Lord wants us to be free from possessions, to be.   

“The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God…” (LK 2: 27-28)

Our Lord came as a human being and wants to be close to us. As a child, He could be taken “into arms.” As a mature man, He touched many, and today, He stays with us in many ways—from the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion, the Bible, and all the Sacraments. When we communicate love to our spouses and children, the more our love is visible (by words and gestures, by small gifts and hugs), the better for the relationship. We are embodied, and our love needs our bodies to be expressed.

“A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, ‘Go home to your family and announce to them all what the Lord in his pity has done for you.’” (MK 5: 19)

For many of us, the most important place for the new evangelization is not our place of work but our homes. Our siblings or our children, our spouses or our parents, could be in need. We can show them God, Who is love, not rules and laws, Who is merciful, not the judge, Who is happy with our achievements and not counting our mistakes. We can show them God. 

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation)