In Mark’s Gospel we encounter many examples of Jesus’s physical touch and its magnificent power. In Mark 1:29-30 we read :

“ On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told Him about her. He approached, grasped her hand and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.”

Jesus grasped the woman’s hand. The miracle of healing happened.
Later on, Jesus touches even the “untouchable” in order to heal him:

“ A leper came to Him and kneeling down begged Him and said, ‘ If You wish, You can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand, touched the leper, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’ The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.” (Mk 1 :40-42)

Perhaps Jesus touched this leper not only to heal him but to show him the great love that had moved Him “ to pity”. Of course, just His will, His word, is enough to “touch” us in the most powerful way. Jesus tells the paralytic who was lowered through the roof:

“ ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’ He rose, picked up his mat at once and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘ We have never seen anything like this.’” (Mk 2: 11b-12)

It seems there was no physical contact there, but even the people in the place were “touched” to the point of glorifying God.
Two thousand years later, our Lord still touches us physically through the Eucharist. He also touches us with His Voice through the Scriptures. That is (as I have said before) why going to Mass is the greatest thing that we can do.
I believe though, that the healing touch of Jesus also takes place through every one of us. We can be His hands and voice. Every one of us is acquainted with the urge we sometimes get in the company of a distressed, suffering human being– to embrace them, or touch their arm, or their hands. Sometimes this is inappropriate, or we are too far away. Then the voice of the Powerful One can actually speak through us. Just knowing that someone cares can do so much to alleviate our pain. I thank my Lord for this blessed mystery.
This weekend at Long Island Jewish Hospital, I was offering my love and my final goodbye to Marie De Angelis, a fellow parishioner and leader of our St. Vincent de Paul group. She was a true champion of God, a powerhouse of mercy and love. After twenty years of fighting ALS, and truly doing “great works” in spite of her disability, our Lord was finally ready to take her in His arms into Eternity.
I knelt before the Hospice bed, and told her how I felt about her, how grateful I was. In spite of her discomfort and fever she was lucid. She understood all I said. There was this smile on her face. But I also held her hand lightly. I felt her faint grasp. The healing touch of Jesus was there. I don’t know how much good I did, but her presence was a light for me, a salve for my aching heart, my sense of helplessness . She gave me strength and faith, even the joy of God’s love filling my eyes with tears. I left the hospital feeling blessed. We are the Body of Christ. We are here for each other.

Orlando Hernandez