Reach Out and Touch Somebody

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

But Jesus retired with his disciples to the sea; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee and Judea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan. And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing the things which he did, came to him. And he spoke to his disciples that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he healed many, so that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had evils. And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him: and they cried, saying: Thou art the Son of God. And he strictly charged them that they should not make him known.
Mark 3:7-12 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your son Jesus had quite a trying time while he lived with us on earth. The unclean spirits knew him instantly and proclaimed him your Son. His healing of many left him little room to move about, let alone have time to cleanse himself of what he took from those he healed. Those moments when Jesus would spend time alone with you to refresh himself and to give to you the many hurts, diseases, and unclean spirits.But he told the spirits not to make him known, as it wasn't his time as yet. Jesus did your will dear Father and so very many wanted to be close to him for the love and healing that permeated from him, just by a simple touch. In our own lives when someone briefly touches our arm as we are speaking or just in passing, doesn't it let us know they care enough to reach out and touch. These people we read about also cared for Jesus to want to touch him and be healed by his love. Many are seeking exactly the love only you and your son can give, that alone is a healing balm.

Touch Us Oh Lord

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Matthew 9:18-26

Prayer

Dear Father all we have to do is touch your Son in faith and we would be healed. Most of the time we don't always know how to reach out and touch Jesus when he isn't a living person to touch as he was in these Gospels. But he is with us in the Eucharist where we not only touch him but make him a part of us. Where every particle of the Bread is blessed and most holy. It is where we too come alive by his touch as the little girl was awaken by his hand. May we come to know your presence in the Eucharist as you have touched the lives of those before us, may we also come to feel the touch of life. Often we are dead by our sins, it is only with your loving touch that we come back to life. Amen