Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

REFLECTION:

So, naturally I am not a hugger, but I won’t deny a hug that someone would initiate with me. When I was at St. Anthony on Maui, there was one lady who would always give me a hug and kiss on the cheek after the 7am Mass. Her family and I grew close as I accompanied them during the passing of their young son due to a drug overdose. It was a dark moment for them, but I was called to their home — we prayed, we cried, we shared stories. I did their son’s funeral and burial, and ever since then, they felt close to me, and I to them. So the mother would always approach me after Mass and give me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek — a gesture that said more than words ever could.

Here at Sacred Heart Church and Maryknoll School, the only person who has approached me for a hug is one of our high school students. I had a conversation with her, and I guess she felt close to me — maybe she felt comfortable but still respectful. She always says hi, and when there are events, she asks if I need help or anything. I’ve come to realize that people who feel close or connected to you, who share a sense of relationship and trust, are the ones who draw near — who are not afraid to greet you with a hug.

Now, I know that I’ve been told more than once that I can seem intimidating. And that’s fine with me — I can’t change that. But I’ve also learned that when we step outside our comfort zones and make the effort to get to know others, walls come down and real connection begins. Maybe not everyone will greet you with a hug (and no, I’m not suggesting everyone start hugging now! 😂), but the point is this — faith is lived in relationships.

That’s exactly what we see in Romans 16, when Paul ends his letter by naming people — real people — who have worked, suffered, and prayed with him. He greets them not with titles, but with affection: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” In the early Church, this was not just a polite gesture; it was a sign of unity, peace, and love among believers — a reminder that we are one family in Christ.

When we come to Mass, that same spirit of unity should fill our hearts. During the Sign of Peace, we’re invited to do more than a wave or a nod. We’re called to truly share peace — to see Christ in one another. Yes, Covid made us cautious, and we’ve grown used to keeping a safe distance, but maybe it’s time to recover not just the gesture, but the heart behind it — that warmth, sincerity, and closeness of the Body of Christ.

Because when we truly grow in relationship with Christ, we naturally want to draw closer to Him too. If we could see Jesus face to face, wouldn’t we want to greet Him with a hug? Or even a “holy kiss”? Our closeness to others and our closeness to Christ are deeply connected — both flow from love.

So maybe today, we can take a step closer — to one another, and to Christ. Faith is not meant to keep us distant; it’s meant to bring us near — to heal, to embrace, to unite. And who knows, maybe the next “holy kiss” is just a heartfelt hug away.