STS. PETER BAUTISTA, PAUL MIKI
AND COMPANIONS, Martyrs
In 1597, twenty-six Christians were nailed to crosses at Nagasaki, Japan. The best-known among them was Paul Miki, but there was also a Spanish Franciscan who had worked about ten years in the Philippines, Pedro Bautista. Their feast reminds us that the gospel is not destined merely for traditionally Christian countries. Everywhere in the world there are people who can follow Christ in a radical way, perhaps more consistently than we are willing to do. The Church is destined for all people.
Reading 1 Gn 1:1-19
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.
God spoke: “Light!”
And light appeared.
God saw that light was good
and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day,
he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.
God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters;
separate water from water!”
God made sky.
He separated the water under sky
from the water above sky.
And there it was:
he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Two.
God spoke: “Separate!
Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!”
And there it was.
God named the land Earth.
He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.
God spoke: “Earth, green up! Grow all varieties
of seed-bearing plants,
Every sort of fruit-bearing tree.”
And there it was.
Earth produced green seed-bearing plants,
all varieties,
And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Three.
God spoke: “Lights! Come out!
Shine in Heaven’s sky!
Separate Day from Night.
Mark seasons and days and years,
Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.”
And there it was.
God made two big lights, the larger
to take charge of Day,
The smaller to be in charge of Night;
and he made the stars.
God placed them in the heavenly sky
to light up Earth
And oversee Day and Night,
to separate light and dark.
God saw that it was good.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Four.
Gospel Mk 6:53-56
They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Wherever he went, village or town or country crossroads, they brought their sick to the marketplace and begged him to let them touch the edge of his coat—that’s all. And whoever touched him became well.
Prayer
God, Father of all,
we honor today missionaries and their flock
in whom Christ lived
and in whom he was crucified.
Give that messengers and teachers
of the good news of Jesus
may be one with their people
in life and in death
and dedicated to one another
and to you, our loving God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reflection:
6 February 2023
Mark 6:53-56
To bring the healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus’ response to the sick did not proceed from a detached commitment to needy humanity but from compassion towards each person. His action was in response to the hope expressed by the friends of the sick people through their practical readiness to put themselves out for their friends. Except for those with leprosy, the sick do not come to Jesus alone. They are brought to Jesus by someone who believed that Jesus could make his friend or member of the family well again.
Things are different whenever people are prepared to think not simply about themselves but of each other, particularly those whose needs are greater. The people of Gennesaret demonstrate a great concern for their fellow brethren, which is already an expression of the Kingdom, that Jesus came to establish.
Jesus could restore health. The action of Jesus and the concern of the people who cared could bring about an even more profound healing of the spirit of those sick. Hope and compassion opened the way to miracles through the person of Jesus. Where the sick are healed – is a place of joy and happiness – the Kingdom of God.
Mark emphasises a vital message: “All those who touched him were cured.” Indeed, we stand in need of healing. We live in a time when ‘touch’ is no longer appreciated for fear of contagion and in some places, for fear of causing scandals! The Gospel speaks of a touch that could heal – that is to touch the Lord.
The opportunities to touch the Lord are many. In the Eucharist, in the Word of God, in our prayer time and in the lives of all our brothers and sisters around us, Jesus makes himself present to us. But the Gospel reminds us that bringing people to the healing touch of the Lord is as important as personally touching him. Through acts of charity and mercy, we bring Jesus to the people around us. During the Chinese New Year last year, Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong was encouraging the faithful to take one step further to be near to someone in need, especially the elderly, the sick and the poor. Later he took time to visit the elderly, who were living alone in housing complexes in the City, bringing new year’s gifts and praying with them.
Would I care to spare a little of my time for someone in need, visit him, see if they need my help, bring God’s love, and help them feel the healing, consoling touch of Jesus?