Gospel: Mark 6: 53-56
As today's Gospel portion highlights, people follow Jesus wherever he goes, bringing to him people in need of healing. What each of these scenes have in common is that Jesus heals every single person brought to him. In not a single instance does he refuse to heal anyone. Without regard to race, creed, gender, socioeconomic background or any other category, Jesus heals everyone brought to him for healing, liberation, and nourishment.
The second important feature is that Jesus never places any conditions on this healing, deliverance, and nourishment of others. He does not require any prior action or statement. He does not demand any quid pro quo or anything of the sort. Jesus simply heals, liberates, and nourishes people simply because they have a need: they are ill or lame; they are beset by demons; they are hungry. That is enough to elicit the love and mercy of Jesus.
We Christians have a lot to learn in this regard. We who love to be gatekeepers of sacramental grace and care. We who demand conditions and quid pro quo for helping others. We who think God is only for us and not for others. We who are obsessed with our programs and processes. With Jesus there are no conditions, no exclusion, no processes or programs. There is just encounter and care based on the need others have for God's love and mercy.
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