In the Book of Deuteronomy, we read Jewish men were to “put tassels on the four corners of the cloak that [they] wrap around [themselves] (22:12). This requirement came from the law of Moses (Numbers 15:37-41):
“The LORD said to Moses: ‘Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, fastening a violet cord to each corner. When you use these tassels, the sight of the cord will remind you of all the commandments of the LORD and you will do them, without prostituting yourself going after the desires of your hearts and your eyes. Thus you will remember to do all my commandments and you will be holy to your God. I, the LORD, am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I, the LORD your God.’”
And so, when we hear in today’s Gospel that “[whatever] villages or towns or countryside [Jesus] 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,” we can understand this to mean that by touching the “tassel on his cloak” the people were reminded of God’s covenant with them in salvation history. They are reminded of how God continued to remain faithful to them despite their unfaithfulness to Him. Moreover, we hear throughout the Gospel Jesus telling those who he healed of their afflictions that it was their FAITH in God that healed and saved them. The tassel on his cloak does not possess magical healing powers, it is Jesus who heals and saves.
My sisters and brothers in Christ, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ desires to heal us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The question is, do we believe this, or better yet, do we believe and love the Lord our God with all our heat, with all our soul, and with all our mind (Matthew 22:37). Faith is our response to God’s revelation of His love for us, especially in the Sacraments of the Church, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The question for us is, we will respond like the Twelve, whom Jesus sent and “instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mark 6:8), and trust in God completely for their every need? Or, are we like the people in Jesus’ “native place” who amazed Jesus by their “lack of faith” and “he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them” (6:5-6)?
As we prepare for the penitential season of Lent, which starts next Ash Wednesday, let us pray to have faith like the Twelve who trusted in God completely for everything they needed in their journey to preach repentance and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let us believe and trust in Jesus Christ and know in our heart, soul, and mind that He can bring us healing body, mind, and spirit. Jesus, I trust in you.
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