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!