DAY 110: “Has the Coronavirus Stolen Your Hugs? The Power of Human Touch”

DAY 110

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Week Sixteen – Thursday 2 July 2020

“Has the Coronavirus Stolen Your Hugs? The Power of Human Touch”

“A Canadian woman was so desperate to hug her mother during quarantine that she created a ‘hug glove’ using a clear tarp with sleeves so the women could hug through the plastic. A video of two young cousins in Kentucky, 8 and 10, hugging and weeping after weeks apart in quarantine was shared thousands of times … . They were so overjoyed they didn’t know how to express themselves, except to cry. This hug shows how powerful the human touch really is.”  A recent newspaper article by the same title.

I knocked and the door opened to reveal a skeleton of a man, his face gaunt, HIV-AIDS taking its relentless daily toll. He had fixed lunch, and I prayed a blessing over it, knowing this was his test of my acceptance of who he was. I wasn’t there because of who he had been or how he had lived, I was there at the request of a church member who knew him because, alienated from the church, he was dying and wondered if there was a pastor anywhere who would befriend him. After we visited, I prayed and rose to leave. At the door as I gave him a hug, I sensed I had crossed his threshold of safety and acceptance. The Lord gave me access to his life up to the hour he died. I conducted his funeral. I believe it all began with that hug. The power of human touch.

The article continues: “Not only do we miss hugs, we need them. Physical affection reduces stress by calming our sympathetic nervous system which during times of stress releases damaging stress hormones … . Affectionate touch is how our biological systems communicate to one another that we are safe, that we are loved, and that we are not alone.”  This casts the Incarnation in a whole new light – the God of the universe taking on a human body that touched and was touched.

Laying on of hands is central to our faith at baptism, confirmation, ordination, and praying for the sick, all reminding us that the God of the universe took on human flesh so he might literally touch others with who He was and with what He came to bring. The power of human touch.

Reflective question: Whose touch do you need just now? Who needs your touch just now?

Reflective Scripture: Matthew 8:3 – “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man…”

Reflective hymn:

“God, We Sense Your Peace and Power” – Carolyn Gillette © 2017

(Sung to the tune of “Come Thou Fount of every Blessing”)

God, your gift of touch can heal us through a hug or kind embrace.

When we share the peace you give us, it can change us, by your grace.

When we offer prayers for healing, laying hands on those in need,

By your loving, gentle caring, those who hurt are blessed and freed.