Christ’s Healing Touch

“And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.” – Mark 7:32

In our Gospel passage today, Jesus heals a man who cannot hear or speak. He is essentially cut off from communicating with others. But Jesus is able to communicate His healing touch to the man. Notice that Jesus takes the man aside privately. Healing is one-on-one work. Then Jesus touches the man’s ear with His finger. Here, Christ’s healing is communicated through touch. Gregory the Great taught, “The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord put his fingers into the ears of the deaf mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

In this action, Jesus is showing us that our bodies are important to our salvation. We are body, mind, and spirit, all three united in one person. The spiritual part of us is of great importance, and so is our humanity. To me, this Gospel passage is reminiscent of the sacraments, which Christ instituted to cleanse, restore, nourish, and strengthen us in body, mind, and spirit. In Baptism the water washes over our bodies. In Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick the oil touches our skin. In the Eucharist Jesus feeds us with His own Body and Blood. We see, touch, smell, and taste the Lord God.

We must remember that at the end of time, our bodies will be resurrected (John 5:29). Jesus Himself  “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). May we be open to the healing of our bodies, minds, and spirits that Christ wants to work in our lives. He wants to heal us so we have an abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life with Him in heaven.

My Jesus, help me to be open to Your healing. Help me to come to you in one-on-one prayer where Your heart can speak words of healing to my heart. Help me to always receive the sacraments with love and reverence.