The spirituality of touch A Holy Week and Easter Message
As we conclude this Lenten season and the long period of covid-19 lockdown when we could not assist directly at Mass except on radio and Television, many now ap- preciate even more the importance of a physical presence at religious celebrations. If one has lived the discipline of Lent, i.e. more prayer, fasting and charitable activi- ties and services, one feels tuned to advance differently as we celebrate the days of the resurrection of Christ. The Gospel according to St. Luke (Lk 8: 43-48) describes the story of the woman who, after suffering for several years and had spent all her earnings on doctors without being cured, dared to join in the crowd that gathered around Jesus hoping at least to touch the tassel of his cloak.
Among the many people who were pushing and pressing upon him, Jesus noticed only that poor lady; Jesus felt that power had gone out from him, and the long-suffering woman was immediately cured. He turned around and said, “Who touched me?” (Lk 8: 45) “Daughter, your faith has saved you” (Lk 8: 48). Her touch did not produce magical effects; but it is her strong desire and determination to touch, supported by her faith, as Jesus emphasized, that transformed her whole life.
When people ask for a blessing from a priest or a bishop, they normally expect that the priest touches them on the head or on the shoulders or at least touches their religious objects. That practice is present in many cultures. Naaman, the commander of the Syrian Army, suffering terribly from leprosy was referred by her Israel maid to a prophet in Samaria.
The prophet Elisha, without even touching him or getting out of his house, just sent a message to Naaman to go and wash 7 times in the waters of the Jordan and his flesh would be immediately restored. Naaman was enraged because he thought that the prophet would come out to him, raise up his hand and cure him. He expected the physical touch of the prophet; but that did not happen. On the contrary, at the insistence of his servants, Naaman went and washed seven times in the Jordan, “according to the words of the man of God”.
Realizing that he was cured, Naaman returned to the prophet to give thanks and confessed his faith in the God of Israel: “I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (2 Kings 5: 1-15a).
If one has the grace or the occasion to encounter Jesus, like the woman suffering from haemorrhage or Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army humiliated by leprosy for a big part of his life, let one have the courage to say at last, like St. Augustine in his Confessions after the baptism received at the age of 32: “Late have I loved you. You were with me, but I was not with you. You touched me, and I am inflamed with love of your peace. Oh my God, set me on fire with your love! hem of his cloak, Jesus is already touching our heart, but we may not be aware. Let us pray to be always aware of such healing touches of Jesus. As we celebrate the climax of the mysteries of our redemption during Holy Week and Eastertide, let us grow in faith, ready to be converted.
How often have we touched the body and blood of Christ simply out of routine during the Eucharistic celebrations and that encounter goes and disappears unnoticed.
Now, this is the time the Lord reminds us of the historical encounter with his humble servant Moses who wanted to advance to see better the burning bush: “Do not come near, (have courage and) put off your shoes from your feet (full of dust), for the ground you are standing on is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5-6). The sacrament of penance and reconciliation, deeply advised during Lent, opens one’s eyes to discover, Give me the grace to do as you command, and command me to do what you will!” (Confessions X, 27.28). The moment we desire to be touched or we would like to touch at least the hem of his cloak, Jesus is already touching our heart, but we may not be aware. Let us pray to be always aware of such healing touches of Jesus. As we celebrate the climax of the mysteries of our redemption during Holy Week and Eastertide, let us grow in faith, ready to be converted.
How often have we touched the body and blood of Christ simply out of routine during the Eucharistic celebrations and that encounter goes and disappears unnoticed.
Now, this is the time the Lord reminds us of the historical encounter with his humble servant Moses who wanted to advance to see better the burning bush: “Do not come near, (have courage and) put off your shoes from your feet (full of dust), for the ground you are standing on is holy ground” (Exodus 3: 5-6). The sacrament of penance and reconciliation, deeply advised during Lent, opens one’s eyes to discover, like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus that Jesus walks along with us, opening gradually the Scriptures to us regarding the mystery of his resurrection (Lk 24: 13-35).