[Reflection] Mark 1:41
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
Indeed, there was much to pity for one whose affliction had made him an outcast. Unable to touch or be touched, lest he make others unclean, thereby separating them from the blessing of fellowship. Have you ever felt what it was like to want a hug and not have anyone around to give it to you? Now try and imagine the daily yearning for human contact, while living on the edges of a community.
In stretching out his hand to the leper, he was opening himself not just to the same ostracism as the afflicted man, but willingness to accept this person just as he stood. To actually touch the man was a mind-boggling concept; but Jesus understood the power of this gesture of affirmation.
It is easy to pity the marginalized of society. But as social agencies know, few are those who are willing to go beyond mere feeling and stretch out their hands to provide assistance. Fewer still are those who are willing to touch lives with their actual presence — thus allowing their own lives to be touched in return.
We can be Jesus to others. All it takes is an outstretched hand and a heart that echoes the words, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Then watch as God works the miracle of restoring a broken human to his birthright as His precious child.
