O.C S 9) The touch that reveals Mark 1:41 Jesus.... stretched out his hand and touched him

Covid has changed much behaviour.  Especially our not touching things.  But this meditation from Morrison emphasizes 'in the touch of Jesus, instinctive and spontaneous, what a deal of his glory we discover.

-  his touch revealed his brotherhood - as in this story of the leper who hoped for a cure but never dreamed he was going to find a friend. When Jesus touched him - him the outcast...loathed and shunned - it was something he never would forget.  He would tell his wife,.. gather his friends and say "He touched me'.  In all his loneliness that he was face to face with One who understood.

- his touch revealed His large authority - it was quietly commanding, healing. As in the story of the widow of Nain when he touched the bier immediately the whole procession halted.  Just his touch.

- his touch revealed His restfulness.  "Come unto me and I will give you rest'   The infinite restfulness of Jesus flowed out through the very act of touching.

- his touch revealed his uplifting power - as with Jairus daughter. They called it death, but Jesus called it sleep.  Then he touched her - took her by the hand- and the gospel tells us that the maid arose.  His touch had power.  He touched water and...it became wine, and the wine became the symbol of his blood. He touched language. He touched Simon, and Simon became Peter. What the devil touches he degrades. Everything that Jesus touched is lifted up to higher, nobler levels.

I am reminded of the old evening hymn I used to sing:

At even when the sun was set,

The sick O Lord, around Thee lay,

O in what divers pain they met,

O with what joy they went away!

Thy touch has still its ancient power,

No word from Thee can fruitless fall:

Here in this solemn evening hour,

And in Thy mercy heal us all