Gospel
Mk 6:53-56
53 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.
54 As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
55 They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
56 Whatever villages or towns or countryside he 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.
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To tell the truth, I can't even imagine this scene. Here we see Christ as a Superstar - he crosses the see to a new town, and he is immediately recognized - during an era where nobody has ever seen a picture of him. His healing abilities are well known, and his very touch healed people.
One of the great images of the gospel is of Christ as the Physician to mankind. Here's what the Catechism has to say:
1503 Christ's compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that "God has visited his people" 104 and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; 105 he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of. 106 His compassion toward all who suffer goes so far that he identifies himself with them: "I was sick and you visited me." 107 His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul. It is the source of tireless efforts to comfort them.
If you're interested in more, click on the link below, type in "physician", and click on "submit."
http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/index.cfm
