+ (Intro.)Today we celebrate the memorial of St Agatha, an early virgin and martyr of the Church. We know little of sure historical fact about her but it is clear, that she gave up her life to preserve her virginity. So as we enter the celebration of these holy mysteries let us be mindful of those times we have failed to live the chaste life to which each of us has been called.
(After the gospel) Our first reading this morning from the 1st Book of Kings, tells of the ark of the covenant being brought into the holy of holies of the temple. The glory of God filled the temple even though all that was in the ark were two stone tablets given to Moses at Horeb. We have in our tabernacles the very Presence of our glorified Lord Jesus and are called each day to be the living members of his mystical Body.
Our gospel tells of Jesus in the land of Gennesaret and how they brought to him all who were sick or suffering, and of how those who only touched the tassel of his cloak were healed. So let us, as we gather around this altar and receive his very Body and Blood, be filled with faith in his healing power.
(1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Mark 6:53-56)