Word to the Wise
Monday, February 7, 2022 - Monday in the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13 and Mark 6:53-56]"......Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there. As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sickon mats to wherever they heard he was. 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." [Mark]
FEBRUARY 7 [For Dominican friars, this is the day on which we remember and pray for our deceased parents.]
In the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament we read: "The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner. When you use these tassels, the sight of the cord will remind you of all the commandments of the Lord and you will do them, without prostituting yourself going after the desires of your hearts and your eyes. Thus you will remember to do all my commandments and you will be holy to your God.s I, the Lord, am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I, the Lord your God." [Numbers 15:38-39]
The description of this scene can recall to us the woman healed of hemorrhages that we read a few days ago. [Mark 5:25-34] She touched the hem of Jesus' cloak in a jostling crowd and was healed. But the tassels (which will be found on the prayer shawls of many Orthodox Jews) are a reminder of the call to holiness through obedience to God's law. Jesus' own garments preached his Jewish identity and the power of God's holiness. This will be in sharp contrast to tomorrow's (Tuesday's) account of his confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees.
Many Catholics are fond of wearing and displaying familiar Catholic symbols of their faith such as rosaries and medals or crosses. This is a commendable practice that occasionally draws criticism from non-Catholics (or even fellow Catholics) that the ones who do this are "flaunting their religion." What is more important is whether or not the one who wears or displays the symbol will personify the baptismal call to holiness and faithful practice of Catholic faith. Will others find "healing" in the person who wears the symbol? AMEN