In the Gospels recently, we heard about Jesus healing the sick, curing people, driving out demons. Again and again, we hear this phrase: He laid hands on them.
I’ll be honest — sometimes I can feel like Christ is playing a game with me. Like He’s tapping my left shoulder and standing on my right. I turn around, and He’s just out of my periphery. Always close, but never quite where I’m looking.
But when I sit with the image of Jesus laying hands on someone, what comes to mind is a parent cradling a child’s face. Not a grandparent pinching cheeks — but gently, two hands on either side, holding that face still. It’s so intimate you can’t help but look into each other’s eyes.
That’s how close He was to the people He healed. That’s how close He wants to be to us.
He’s not playing games. He’s not just out of reach. He’s asking to be intimately close — healing, helping, teaching, loving — the same way He was two thousand years ago.
Spend a few minutes with that image today.
Let us pray. Lord, help us to be still enough to feel Your presence. Draw us close to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
