• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, October 24, 2016

Scripture:hands

Ephesians 4:32-5:8
Luke 13:10-17

Reflection:

LAYING ON OF HANDS

And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all.   When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.”  And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. Lk 13:10

My greatest experience of the laying on of hands was 51 years ago at my ordination.   The bishop was elderly and my fear was he might make a mistake and I would end up after 10 years of study not being ordained.  But when I felt the firm press of the bishop’s hands on my head it was and still is one of the happiest moments of my life!  It was then that the power of Christ to bring about the Eucharist and forgiveness of sins was given to a mere mortal!

LAYING ON OF HANDS

The laying on of hands is a beautiful and frequent phase in Scripture expressing power of Christ being communicated to humans.  We see in today’s gospel the poor little crooked woman freed from her disability by the laying on of the hands.  In His home town “He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.” Mk 6:5 He did the same with the children.

Beautiful things happened when people either touch and were touched by Jesus.  Crowds all but suffocated Him trying to touch Him.   “He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him.” Mk 3:9-10   The gospel talks about how they fell upon Him so much He used a boat to go off shore to preach to them so He would not get crushed to death!  The women encountering the Risen Christ threw their arms around His feet so He could not get away from them.  Wonderful things happen to us when with faith we touch Christ. “By prayer the soul is borne up to heaven and in a marvelous way embraces the Lord.” St John Chrysostom   Perhaps it can be summed up in the words of the woman who spent all her money on doctors in vain.  “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Mk 5:28

Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in