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Commentary of the Gospell
The Ark becomes Flesh
When Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, it evoked fear and trembling, and no one dared to touch the Ark because touching the Ark could get them killed, as in the case of Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-7). But, Jesus the Son of God, comes rubbing shoulders with the people around him.
There are people milling around Jesus begging him to touch them and reaching out and touching him and getting cured! We witness here the true kenosis (Phil. 2:6-8) – the self-emptying of God for our sake. The “I-Am-Who-Am” is becoming Emmanuel, the “God with Us”. The Ark is becoming Flesh, to dwell amidst us as one among us. The fear-evoking presence of God in the Ark becomes the love-inspiring touch of God in Christ.
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 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.
The self-emptying mission of Christ challenges us today to take up the mission to bring healing, consolation and comfort to the distressed lives of our brothers and sisters.