From the Crowd to Contact
1 Kings 8:1–7, 9–13; Psalm 131; Mark 6:53–56
In today’s Gospel, we are told that the people “laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.” This detail is important. They did not merely see Jesus, follow Him, or crowd around Him—they touched Him. Hence, I said from the crowd to contact.
There is a difference between being in the crowd and making contact. Many may gather in the Church, yet not all truly encounter Christ. The crowd can surround Jesus and still remain unchanged, but the one who reaches out in faith is made whole. In the crowd, faith can be diluted; in personal contact, experience or encounter, grace is released.
This is why active participation in the liturgy matters. When we pray attentively, listen consciously, respond actively, receive the Eucharist reverently, and come with faith, we are not just present, we are touching Christ.
The first reading deepens this message. Solomon brings the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple, and the sanctuary is filled with the cloud, the visible sign of God’s glorious presence. God chose to dwell among His people in a sacred space. Today, that same God dwells in our churches, especially in the Blessed Sacrament.
The question, then, is unavoidable: Are we still conscious of God’s sacred presence in the Temple, or have we grown too familiar to be reverent? Do we come merely to occupy space, or to encounter the living God?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, give us the grace not just to be among the crowd, but to reach out in faith and truly touch You. Renew our reverence for Your presence in Your holy Temple, and heal us by Your saving power. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
