A reading from the light of Agnes Sanford:
Almost everyone who calls on a sick friend lays… hands on [the friend] in
love — pats [the friend] or strokes [the friend’s] head or holds his [or her]
hand with a vague feeling of imparting comfort, friendliness, or peace! We
need only to combine this homely human touch with the prayer of faith in order
to work what the world calls a miracle.
Mark 6.1-7, 13 (NRSV)
God is with you.
And also with you.
A reading from the Gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
[Jesus] left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples
followed him. 2On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all
this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are
being done by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of
Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his
sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4Then Jesus
said to them,
“Prophets are not without honor, except
in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”
5And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his
hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6And he was amazed at
their unbelief.
Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7He called the
twelve and began to send them out… 13They cast out many demons, and
anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!