Sometimes it seems that we make it really hard to be a follower of Christ. We have all sorts of rules, and if you're in an "irregular" second marriage, or you're gay, or you are "living in sin," or in some other way not living in accordance with the rules, we make folks think that they can't be one of us. Now I'm not saying that it isn't important to live in acordance with the rules Jesus articulates just as well as we can. It is important. Jesus articulates those rules because living as He says is the best way for us to live. No, the issue is what are we to do when life isn't perfect, when we fail to live the way Jesus teaches. How do we live with the imperfect, when we're telling people to strive to be perfect? In today's Gospel (Mk 6: 53-56) Jesus gives us something to think about in that regard. Jesus lands on the shore of the Sea of Galillee in the Gennesaret region, and folks immediately recognize Him and bring people to be healed. They come from all over the region. What does Jesus require in terms of qualifications to be healed? What has to happen? Do you have to be living in accordance with Jewish law, or not have broken any of the 613 rules that the Pharisees set forth? No. All you have to do is touch the tassel of jesus' cloak. Just that slight connection is enough for people to be healed. Just reach out and try to touch me, Jesus seems to be saying, and I'll do the rest. All you have to do is get close. I wonder if we'd have more success in proclaiming the Good News if we did so with that in mind. You don't have to be a saint (although we'd love it if you were). You don't even have to be right with all the rules (although, again, that would be great). All you need is to make the slightest effort to enter into a relationship with Christ. Just reach the little distance from where you are on your sick bed to where Jesus tassel touches the ground. It is just an inch or two-- that's all. Just make the slightest gesture and you can be healed. That's all we ask, and we can walk with you from there. After all, that seems to be all Jesus asked for from those who he healed.