Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - Tuesday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 6:1-11 and Luke 6:12-19]"Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all." [Luke]
The power and importance of "touch" cannot be overemphasized. The situation may not be as spectacular as a crowd pushing and shoving for a chance to touch even the tassel on Jesus' cloak. (Luke 8:40-48) It may be the simple touch of a friend in a time of support and encouragement. It can be a great hug of greeting or farewell. It can be holding the hand of someone who is ill and not even conscious. Anyone who has attended one of the weekday public audiences of the pope in the Vatican can testify to the press of people trying to touch the pope! Yet, "touch" can be a cultural thing or even a theological one. The faith of the woman in Luke 8:40-48 is an example. She believed that if only she could touch the fringe of Jesus' cloak, she would be cured, and that was sufficient. On the cultural side, at least in our country, there are folks who, even before the pandemic, resisted the touch of the Sign of Peace at Mass. On a political side, those seeking public office know that the right "touch" is as good as a vote.
The phone company once advertised long-distance calling by urging us to "reach out and touch someone." We can do this when responding personally to those in need - the hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned people in the Body of Christ. Jesus assures us that when we do this, we touch him! Who and how we "touch" can say a lot about how we love. It can be the work of discipleship. AMEN