5th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday – 8th February 2021 — Gospel: Mark 6,53-56
Model of Torah Observant
In this closing section, Jesus continues his ministry of announcing the good news and healing the sick compassionately. The people had faith and their faith was rewarded. The people’s mere touching of Jesus’ clothing brings a cure. The sick beg Jesus to allow them to touch “even the fringe of his cloak”. This fringe refers to the edgings that Jewish men wore on their cloaks in accord with the Torah: “The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelites, and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put a blue cord on the fringe at each corner. You have the fringe so that, when you see it, you will remember all the commandments of the Lord” (Num 15,37-39; also Deut 22,12). Jesus’ wearing of this fringe indicates that he observed the Law of Moses. In fact, Jesus is the model of faithfulness of the covenant, the one who perfectly fulfills the Father’s commands.
