Friday – First Week of Advent 

Gospel – Matthew 9:27-31

The Human Touch

Boat Chapel, Magdala

I admit it!  I am not all that fond of phone conversations.  And I certainly don’t compose/mail hand-written letters any more.  I’ve always found them to be a bit impersonal and awkward.  Even Zoom meetings seem artificial.  There’s nothing better, I think, than a real face to face conversation.  I suppose that sounds very odd coming from a guy who writes daily reflections for the past 5 years.  And I don’t mean my daily posts aren’t personal and even emotional.  But there is such a big difference between writing a homily and actually standing in front of the congregation and speaking to them, preaching to them, face to face, with energy you can see in their gestures and the choking emotions in their voice.

Consider the Covid years and how difficult it was to not be able to see our loved ones, to hold their hands, to give them a kiss or a loving hug.  And remember those emotional reunions when the masks and barriers were removed!  Such a difference between saying ‘good morning’ on the phone or in an email and giving that dear sister a sunrise hug and a hot cup of coffee!  We all value that ‘human touch.’

And it’s obvious that Jesus does too!  He raises Jairus’ daughter by the hand from her bed.  He cures the blind young man with spittle and mud that He rubs on his eyes.  And in today’ Gospel, He cures 2 blind men by touching their eyes.

Don’t you just wonder sometimes?  What was it like to hear His voice?  To touch his robe?  To see Him walk on water or feed the multitude?  What would it do to our faith?  Maybe we don’t have the same experience the Apostles did.  But don’t we still feel His presence, His love, in the kindness and compassion of others?  Don’t others feel His touch when we reach out in service to others?  And won’t we feel His touch when He greets us in the Kingdom of Heaven?