Faith Daily | 8 February 2021

PRAYER of the WEEK Epiphany Five

Father of all,

who gave your only-begotten Son

to take upon himself the form of a servant

and to be obedient even to death on a cross:

give us the same mind that was in Christ Jesus,

that, sharing in his humility,

we may come to be with him in his glory;

where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen APBA p535

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 6: 53-56

53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by Pamela Davey

Jesus is all about giving people a ’new start’ whether from illness/afflictions (as we hear in these verses) or to change our life around, a chance of recreation.

When you read about the urgency of people’s faith in this passage, you do wonder why we don’t have that same urgency today. Jesus is with us (though not in human form), but we are not seen to be begging for forgiveness/repentance to bring about transformation. I certainly do not have this ‘openness to the spirit’ within me.

Among our faith community however, there are wonderful examples of Christians of such faith and spirt, and you will have experienced such encounters. We give thanks for their example.

FINAL PRAYER: Prayer from Kathy Galloway, ’The Iona Community’

Lord Jesus, it’s good to know

that you lived in the flesh

walked where we walk, felt what we feel,

got tired, had sore and dirty feet,

needed to eat, and to think about where the next meal was coming from.

But it’s even better to know

that you enjoyed your food

the feel of perfume on your skin

the wind on your face, a child in your arms

and the good wine at the wedding.

You didn’t mind when people touched you,

even those who were thought of as unclean.

You kissed people with diseases

and laid your head on your friend’s shoulder.

Thank you for understanding our bodily pains and pleasures and for valuing them.

Amen