It’s no
coincidence that the man who, in 1223, displayed the first Christmas nativity
scene is also the patron saint of animals. St. Francis of Assisi understood
that adding donkeys, oxen, and sheep would enhance its sense of peacefulness. That’s
because, unlike humans, animals don’t suppress the most important element of
any creature’s nurturing instinct – touch. I now see
multiple examples of that every day.
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Nucky gets
his snuggle time in every night, whether I’m awake or not.
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My marriage
to Helen was actually a package deal. The package included a three-year-old
tabby named Nucky – after the lead character in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire – and a 5-year-old
poodle named Lexie – after no one in particular. Between the dog, the cat, and
my African gray parrot Roxy, this is my first experience with a mix ’n match
pet household.
Being a part
of their interaction has been an experience St. Francis would have loved. Lexie
flops on her back for belly rubs every chance she gets and, whenever she wants
attention, uses her front paws as skillfully as a symphony conductor uses a
baton. Nucky – as haughty, independent, and regal as a housecat can be –
overcomes his superiority every evening to sit on my chest and head-butt my
beard. And after Nucky had seizures this past weekend, Lexie
has been comforting him with snuggles since he returned from the vet.
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All animals
are innately aware that touching is necessary – panda
bears, too. |
These
animals are following their natural instincts. We humans, however, too often repress
those instincts. Touching another human being has become bad. Touch is
invasive. It transmits germs. It signals unwanted advances. Instead of handshakes and hugs between real friends, many prefer touching
virtual friends through our laptops and smartphones. How smart is that?
Acknowledge
it or not, we all need human contact. We suffer when we don't get it. Babies and the elderly often fail to thrive
when they lack human touch. Isolated wives tell friends and counselors “He
doesn’t touch me anymore.”
Jesus
recognized the power of touch in his ministry. When he healed the sick, he didn’t
do it remotely. (Exception – demonstrating his authority in healing the
centurion’s slave.) He touched people. It took just an unknowing touch of his
tunic to heal the hemorrhagic woman. Try envisioning this – Jesus sitting in
the pew in front of you during Mass, refusing to shake your hand during the
Rite of Peace, opting instead for a polite little nod. The Word may have been
made flesh, but the antibodies were lost somewhere along the way.
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The positive
effects of touch are actually measurable in all of us,
especially infants and the elderly. |
We often use
this time of year to remind ourselves – and others – that Jesus is at the
center of our being. Some Christians become offended when people influenced by an
increasingly commercial and amoral civic society wish us “Happy Holidays” instead
of “Merry Christmas.” Some tend to wear that wounded indignation as a badge of
honor. Talk show hosts and televangelists attempt to boost ratings by cynically
exploiting that indignation, trying to force society to “put Christ back in
Christmas.” Or else!!
Which Gospel
reading was it that Jesus forced anyone to do anything?
Maybe there
is a better, more effective way to respond. Maybe we can try to reflect Jesus’
love and mirror his example by responding with kindness to those who wish us “Happy
Holidays.” Maybe we can take a cue from St. Francis’ donkeys and oxen, from the
dogs, cats, and sheep – touching the hearts of those we encounter by actually
touching them with hugs, held hands, and other gentle and appropriate touches
that nurture their spirits and ours. Our Church asks us to offer our time, talent, and treasure. Let's make "touch" our fourth "T" during Advent.
