The Ark of the Covenant was an awesome and fearful thing. It was thought to be charged with divine power - the Israelites even carried it on to the battlefield with them in ensuring victory.

And yet the only thing in the Ark was the commandments written on stone tablets. Why was there so much power? Because, it was the symbol - the seal - of God's relationship with the people of Israel.

Holy objects are not magical elements; they are deemed sacred because of the devotion and commitment of God and God's people. They are a sign that God is always with us, especially in everyday life.

When word got around that Jesus was healing people, he was awash in suffering - a tsunami of misery, pain, and desperation as people flocked to him. He healed all who came; many were longing only to touch the hem of his cloak. Again, he was not wearing a magic cloak.

Their faith and trust brought about the healing; the hem of the robe was merely the instrument. Holy objects are present to kindle faith and devotion in our hearts and minds.