The Value of a Touch

In the Gospel of Mark there is an amazing story of a leper who came to Jesus seeking healing. What I find interesting is the sequence of this healing. Before Jesus healed him, he touched him. We need to understand that a leper was barred by law from ever touching anyone again. For someone to touch a leper was unthinkable. With open sores and dirty bandages, lepers were the last persons anyone would want to touch. It had been years since this man had been touched by anyone. Yet the first thing Christ did for this man was touch him. We are surrounded by people that in many ways are like this leper. The circumstances of life have beaten them down. Maybe it’s an addiction or a court conviction, a painful betrayal, or the like. These life challenges have made these folks feel much like a leper. It’s been a while, since anyone cared enough to acknowledge them. And while they would surely love to have someone help them with their problems… right now a caring compassionate touch would make all the difference in the world. Here is my prayer: “Lift up our eyes, Father, that we might see our world as you see it. Teach us to build bridges between our hearts and those of people who need a compassionate friend to share a touch. Help us to respond as you responded to that nameless leper, in Christ, Amen!”