2018 01 18 Reflection 132 (Bro. K. Thomas CSsR on Mk 3: 7-12)

Like us on facebook at   / dominicanministriesgoa   write to us: [email protected] In the past few days, we have seen how Jesus has begun his public ministry. St. Mark the evangelist points out to Jesus’ extraordinary zeal to preach the gospel, moving from one town to the next. His popularity spread like wildfire in Israel, not just as a preacher, but as a Man of God, a healer and the one with great authority. The result, people flock to Jesus, in numbers too great, with a genuine desire to touch him and be healed of their infirmities. We have heard so much about Jesus. We too desire and long to meet Jesus, to touch him that we too may be healed, from our sicknesses, our sinfulness. Is this possible? One may seem to ask. Where can we find him? The scripture tells us “Seek the Lord while he may be found” (Is 55:6). The answer is yes, we meet the Lord in the Sacraments, especially that of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. The Sacraments are Jesus! The tragedy has been that we have become too familiar with the Sacraments to really value them for what they truly are. As it is rightly said by St. Thomas Aquinas “Familiarity breeds Contempt”. This happened to Jesus too, during his earthly life. He was rejected by the people of his own hometown. The result, the gospel says, he could not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. In our times, the great miracles at the various shrines and retreat centres are not because the places are special in themselves or the Lord chooses to work only there. The Sacraments are the same so what is the difference. Faith is that which draws the power. For the faithful approach these holy places with great faith and earnest desire. In the Gospel we have a beautiful example of the woman suffering haemorrhage for 12 years. She touches Jesus with faith and Jesus’ response is “Someone touched me; I perceive power has gone forth from me.” (Lk 8:46)As if, to say, “I cannot resist anyone who comes to me in faith.” Yes my dear friends, it is in the Sacraments that we truly encounter Jesus. The Sacraments will become more meaningful and efficacious when we will approach them in Faith and with a loving desire. Thanking God for the gift of the Sacraments let us like the apostles ask Jesus to increase our faith that we may experience him more closely in the reception of the Sacraments.