“He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue...”
Mark 7:33
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Many of us know about the miraculous waters that gushed up from the place where our Blessed Mother appeared, which have healed countless faithful who have gone there to seek the intercession of Our Lady. It is no surprise that we see tangible imagery in today’s Gospel to heal the mute man. “He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue…” These words can seem odd, but the fact is that we require something concrete, something tangible.
This is the meaning of the Incarnation: God desires to satisfy our need for this concreteness by taking on our flesh so we can encounter Him. And when we do, when we come before Him with all our wounds, our weakness, and our infirmities, He desires to draw close, and make us whole.
Today Christ’s presence is mediated through the Church, through His Body—you and me—and through the Sacraments and sacramentals. Today we still get to touch Christ and experience His healing. As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, we have an opportunity to contemplate God’s healing touch in our lives.
What healing do I need right now? How can I invite the Lord into my wounds to experience his healing touch?
We pray for all those in need of healing, that they may experience the healing touch of Christ.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Ralph D'Elia
Did you know...
Fr. Ralph D’Elia was ordained a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2019. He is currently assigned as the parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Previously Fr. Ralph studied Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, with a specialization in Moral Theology.
