13 Sunday  B

I give myself a treat on The Dart sometimes. It travels along the sea shore, across the Liffey Bridge and one can get a bird’s eye view of ‘The Town one loves so well’. I go at a quiet time. Last day a young mother with baby in arms, a teenager, and a little girl of 3yrs boarded at Connolly station. They sat across from me. The mother seated the three year old in front of her, took sun tan lotion from her treasure bag and started, soothingly, to apply the sunshine massage..one leg, then second leg, then one hand, then the second, cheeks, face ,neck. The dexterity, finesse and gentleness of the mother’s hands and fingers was marvellous. Smiles creased the little darling’s face. I thought ...God made mothers because He could not be everywhere Himself.

Touching, caringly and lovingly is of God. Indeed, Religion, and the Christian Religion in particular could be summed up in one line ....God in touch with us, we in touch with each other. Christ touching people made them feel good.

The distressed father pleads ....come and put your hand on my daughter who is very ill. On the way, a woman,with a blood complaint, braves the people ,and the law, to touch His clothes. Billions and billions of soothing and caring touches happen every second. There is superabundance. The sadness and pain of touch misused or abused, in some strange way, is a reminder of this glorious blessing ...without the dark, we would not see the stars.

Liam Hickey St. Ciarans Hartstown Dublin 15.

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