Here is today’s Gospel, from St Mark: ‘And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognised him, and ran about the whole neighbourhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well’.

St Bede the Venerable commented: ‘In whatsoever heart, also, He is present by the grace of His love, there soon all the strivings of vices, and of the adverse world, or of evil spirits, are kept under and put to rest. … See too how great was the faith of the men of the land of Gennesaret, so that they were not content with the healing of those who were present, but sent to other towns round about, that all might hasten to the Physician; wherefore there follows, “And ran through the whole region roundabout, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He was.”’

May we know His presence in our heart, putting to rest all striving and struggle, for He has said, ‘Abide in Me, as I in you …’

May God bless you this day.