TASSELS
The Significance of Tassels in Biblical Tradition
In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to put tassels on the hems of their garments. As stated in Numbers 15:38-39, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for the corners of their garments, attaching a blue cord to each tassel. These will serve as reminders of all my commands.” These tassels, known as ‘tzitzit’ in Hebrew, served as a physical reminder of the commandments and the covenant between God and His people.
Tassels in the Life of Jesus
Jesus, being a devout Jew, adhered to this commandment and wore an outer garment with four tassels. This is evident in several passages in the New Testament where people sought healing by touching the tassels of His garment. One notable instance is the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. According to Mark 5:28, she believed, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be made well.” Her faith was rewarded when she touched Jesus’ tassel and was immediately healed (Mk 5:29).
The significance of the tassels is further highlighted in Malachi 4:2, which prophesies, “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” The Hebrew word for “wings” can also mean “corners,” referring to the corners of a garment where the tassels were attached. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah, whose healing power was accessed through the tassels on His garment.
Healing Through Faith and Touch
The Gospels record multiple instances where people were healed by touching Jesus’ tassels. In Matthew 14:36, it is written, “They begged him that they might touch only the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” Similarly, Mark 6:56 recounts that wherever Jesus went, people laid the sick in the marketplaces and “begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.”
The Acts of the Apostles also describe miraculous healings associated with the apostles’ garments. For instance, Acts 19:12 mentions that “when face cloths or aprons that had touched [Paul’s] skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.” Additionally, Acts 5:15-16 describes how people placed the sick in the streets so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them, resulting in their healing.
Catholic Teachings and the Power of Relics
The Catholic Church recognizes the significance of physical objects in conveying God’s grace and healing power. This is evident in the veneration of relics, which are physical remains or personal effects of saints. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that relics are a means through which God can work miracles and bring about healing. The faithful believe that, just as the tassels of Jesus’ garment were a conduit of divine power, relics can also serve as instruments of God’s grace.
REFLECTION
For modern Christians, the story of the tassels serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and the tangible ways in which God can work in our lives. While we may not wear tassels on our garments, we are called to live in constant remembrance of God’s commandments and His presence in our lives. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, provide us with a direct encounter with Christ, much like the physical touch of His tassels did for the people of His time.
In our daily lives, we should strive to cultivate a faith that seeks God’s presence in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Whether through prayer, participation in the sacraments, or acts of charity, we can experience the healing and transformative power of God’s love. Let us remember that, as St. Paul reminds us in Romans 10:8, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” By keeping God’s word close to our hearts, we can live out our faith with the same fervor and devotion as those who reached out to touch the tassels of Jesus’ garment.
The example of Jesus’ tassels underscores the profound relationship between faith and physical symbols in our spiritual lives. These tangible signs serve to remind us of God’s constant presence and His commandments. Just as the Israelites wore tassels to recall their covenant with God, and as the people of Jesus’ time sought physical contact with His garments for healing, we too can seek and find God’s grace in the sacraments and in acts of faith. Let us carry this message in our hearts, striving to live each day in a way that honors God’s love and commandments.