ACC ~ Mark 3 v10

TOUCHING HIM BY FAITH

AUGUSTINE: It is by faith that we touch Jesus. And far better to touch him by faith than to touch or handle him with the hands only and not by faith. It was no great thing to merely touch him manually. Even his oppressors doubtless touched him when they apprehended him, bound him, and crucified him, but by their ill-motivated touch they lost precisely what they were laying hold of. O worldwide church! It is by touching him faithfully that your “faith has made you whole.” [1] SERMONS, ON EASTER 148. [2]

[1] Cf. Is 1:10-18; Mt 9:22; Mk 5:34; 10:52; Lk 8:48; Jn 20:29.

[2] Cetedoc 0284, 246.116.300.83; GMI 61-62**. To touch him with the hand but without faith is of no avail; but with faith to touch him is healing.