Breaking the Word

After making the crossing, they 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 sick on 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. (Mk 6:53-56)

Today’s reading does not speak directly about Jesus. It speaks about the situation of the people where Jesus was needed. It looks that the country was filled with sick people. The author seems to present a picture of the country as if it was a sick country. Does he want to say that the whole country needed healing. There was a need for God in the world.

Jesus also fulfilled their desire by healing them. The healing was done directly and also it was done indirectly. Even those who touched the tassel on his clock were healed. Healing power of God was also available in the world.

Could we say that there was a need. There was a need of someone who could link the desire of the people and the healing power of God. Jesus came into the world and made this a reality. Jesus by doing the will of the Father and living the life of the Son of God allowed the healing power of God to reach the people.   

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:13-16).

Salt is to give taste and season the food. Jesus tells his listeners that they are the salt of the earth. His disciples are to give taste to the earth and season the earth. His followers are not just to live and let live the others. Their life is not self oriented either. Life of any disciple of Jesus has to communicate something to the people around. Disciples have to season the world and give taste to the world.

Disciples are also light of the world. They have to illumine the world and they have to be visible. Again, like the salt, light is not for itself. It is for the others. And the qualities of light are to be seen and illumine the others. Disciples lives are to give light to the others.

Good deeds of the disciples are the salt and light. Jesus concludes thus saying that the people may see your good deeds and give glory to God. Good deeds of the disciples should add taste to the world and season the world. Good deeds also should illumine the world and be seen as good deeds. These good deeds are those that give glory to God. The disciples should not expect rewards for themselves for the good deeds done. The goal of the good deeds is the glory of God.