One of the most famous, beautiful, and inspiring frescos is Michelangelo’s representation of “the creation of Adam” on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Adam is in a reclining position, but his left hand is stretched towards God’s right hand and their fingers are almost touching.
What if “God’s touch,” thought by many scholars to be the endowing of Adam with humanity, is more than that? What if this depiction represents something else, something more?
What if God is showing Adam the way to become the person he (Adam) is meant to be - a loving, compassionate and caring human, extending a hand, as it were, to his fellow man or woman? Adam and many later humans did not quite get this message.
Is not what Christ did in his life on earth try again to deliver God’s message -- To live among us and show us a new way to relate to one another?
To me this is a part of resurrection, rebirth, restoration, or renewal. How do we as people of God enter into this process and make a difference in someone’s life? By reaching out and “touching” them in a meaningful way through words or deeds and sharing our humanity with one another.
Mary Lou Beckett
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