January 23, 2025 // Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr (in USA); Optional Memorial of Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin (in USA)

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 7:3-12

Reflect on the Word // 

My mom sat in her chair in the big theater hall in New York City, filled with thousands of people gathered to know Jesus better and to worship Him. As they began to pray, our Eucharistic Lord was brought out to a makeshift altar at the center of the hall and from there, a priest began to process the monstrance throughout the aisles. People stretched out their arms and tried to touch the monstrance where our Lord was held or the humeral veil that encompassed the priest’s hands as he held it. 

During the time of the Eucharistic Procession, when our Lord passed by close to my mother, a woman who had previously been wheelchair bound, stood up and began to walk, praising the Lord for His miracle. My mother was stunned. She was never the same after that day when she witnessed the power of God in such a massive way and in such close proximity.

When I remember my mom’s enthusiasm after this event,  I can understand better the large crowds that followed and gathered around our Lord. He had “cured many” (Mark 3:10), and perhaps many of those now pressing in on Jesus had been witnesses of those miracles or maybe they only heard about it through word of mouth. However, what is clear is that Jesus was the source of the crowds’ amazement and desire. The sick dared to press forward against the strong barricade of bodies in order to just touch Jesus—only a touch. Maybe even a glance from Him would be enough. 

Is He enough for me? To touch Him, to extend my hand and run my fingers on the edges of His garment, would that be enough to heal me? To cleanse me? To change me? Yes. As I long and stretch out my hands to touch the Holy One, He comes to me. He stretches out His hand and heals me, tends to my wounds, and delivers me from all that has me bound. Another miracle. Another reason to follow Him, to tell others about Him, to bring Him praise. May we let Him astound us!