Comunion heals the soul

Today, in the Gospel we see the tremendous power of contact with Our Lord’s person: They laid the sick in the marketplace and begged him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. And all who touched him were cured. The slightest physical touch worked miracles for those who approach Christ with faith. His power to cure overflows from his loving heart to his very garments. His ability and willingness to heal is both abundant and easily accessible.

This passage can help us reflect on how we receive Our Lord in holy Euctrhist. Do we receive holy communion with faith that this contact with Christ can work miracles our lives? More than merely touching the fringe of his cloak, we receive Christ’s very Body into our bodies. More than merely healing our physical infirmities, Communion heals our souls and grants them a share in God’s own life. St. Ignatius of Antioch called the Eucharist he medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, so that we should live forever in Jesus Christ.