By John Bosio
A few years ago while in Rome, Teri and I visited the Vatican Museums. We had been there before, and on that day our primary objective was to spend time in the Sistine Chapel. We got up early to be first in line, and soon after the Museum opened, we entered its gate and darted across halls and chambers toward the famous chapel.
We finally arrived and we were able to find a seat on one of the benches located on the periphery of the room. It is difficult to appreciate Michelangelo’s masterpiece, painted on the ceiling of the chapel, when standing and looking up surrounded by a crowd. So we were fortunate to find a seat.
My eyes were drawn to a panel in the center of the ceiling, full of light and with a simple composition. On the right, a dignified and energetic image of the Creator reaching out with his right arm to touch the hand of a man whose arm is raised toward God. Most readers are probably familiar with this fresco, The Creation of Adam. The message of this painting is clear: It is through God’s touch that Adam and humanity come to life. It proclaims humanity’s dependence on God and the life-giving power of touch. The genius of Michelangelo knew that life cannot exist without personal contact and connection—we yearn for physical touch.
We have all experienced the hunger for touch during the pandemic; the pains of having to keep distance from one another—no handshaking or embracing. Pictures of grandparents being greeted by their grandchildren through a window or hugged through a plastic screen remain with us as sad memories of COVID-19.
Physical touch plays an important role in romantic relationships. Do you remember how you felt the first time you reached out to hold the hand of your future spouse or the first kiss? That touch said something to you and to your spouse-to-be that no word could have said. It made you feel connected. Touch is one of the languages of love, according to Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages.
Looking up at Michelangelo’s fresco in the Sistine Chapel on that summer morning, I saw in God’s hand reaching out to give life to Adam, a prefigurement of Christ’s loving touch through which he saves us and heals us. Jesus is the Father’s touch through which he shares with us his divine life. During his life on Earth, Jesus reached out to touch and heal the sick who came to him—the blind men, the leper, Peter’s mother-in-law, the young girl who was dead, and many others. Christ continues to be the saving touch of God the Father through the sacraments. We read in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “In the sacraments Christ continues to touch us in order to heal us.” (1504)
The sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace. They are moments in which God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—reaches out to us through words and physical symbols to touch and heal us because he loves us. In the Eucharist we are touched by Christ when we receive his body and blood and we are filled with God’s self-giving love and healed of our selfishness.
Marriage is a sacrament that you live out in your home day after day, and your loving words and gestures toward your spouse convey Christ’s love for them. Your physical expressions of love—handholding, kisses, comforting hugs, gentle touches, intimate encounters, and many others—are the vehicle through which Christ’s love is manifested to your beloved, and the good feelings generated through these actions are God’s graces that heal and bring joy to the relationship. Pope Francis explains that husband and wife are icons of God’s love. They manifest God’s love to one another and to the people in their life.
Michelangelo knew about the power of touch and through his fresco preached a memorable sermon to all humanity. Touch has a physical and spiritual power. The next time you are near your spouse remember the importance of touch to express your love. And, when you enjoy the good feelings generated by your beloved’s kisses and hugs, let those be a reminder to you that they are not only the expressions of your spouse’s love, but also the gentle touch of Christ that gives you a taste, although imperfect, of God’s love for you.
Question for reflection: How do you use touch to express your love for your spouse?
John Bosio is a former marriage and family therapist, director of religious education, and diocesan family life coordinator. He and his wife, Teri, wrote Joined by Grace, a marriage preparation program from Ave Maria Press.
