Fifth Monday in Ordinary Time, Year 1, Feb.5,2007

Genesis 1:1-19. Psalm 104. Mark 6:53-56 "All who touched the fringe of Jesus' cloak were healed!" It is our gift of baptismal faith that initiates our ability to reach out and touch not only the hem of Jesus' garment, but also to touch Jesus himself. Baptismal faith starts us on the road to receiving the touch of Jesus through the sacraments especially through the Eucharist and its celebration in the liturgy. Jesus actually gives himself to us and in our receiving of him we experience his healing touch and we are often healed in body, soul, and spirit. In the Eucharist we say, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." So as we turn to Mark's exciting Gospel of miracles, we listen and learn about the touch of Jesus that reached so many people and now in our time it reaches us in the Word of God and the Eucharist. Mark continues with his Gospel of hope and healing as we read through the first eight chapters of his Gospel. One miracle after another is narrated and we grow in our own faith in listening to the authentic words of God expressed in Jesus life, words, and actions. All of these healings originate in Jesus and touch us. I need to entrust myself in faith to listen carefully to the Gospel and to feel and experience that touch of Jesus in his voice and in his people who are gathered in worship. Today's Gospel acclamation this was affirmed," Jesus preached the Good News of the kingdom and healed all who were sick." (Matthew 14:23). In our first reading we start the Book of Genesis and the story of creation is recalled. We experience God's loving touch in the universe, on the earth, and in nature. The symbolic seven days are a beautiful account of telling us about creation. "And God saw that it was good." Amen.