Contrary to cults, Jesus did not rise ghostly on the third day. He was raised in the flesh. The Easter season brings with it an essential topic for conversation at the COVID-19 table. One of the most painful reminders that we still live in a fallen world is that we are–for good order and prudence–inhibited from hugging, kissing, and shaking the hands of our neighbors. The terminology “social/physical distancing” pushes back against the Christian faith. We are the most embodied religion on planet earth because of an embodied risen Lord, and yet, at this stage, we are urged to avoid resurrection affection to the saints. But the Christian faith receives God in a journey of social nearing to his people. We may rightly say it is contrary to our religion to avoid physical connection with others. But alas, we find ourselves in this pitiful state.
This entire affair is one element of God’s judgment on his people that we too rarely consider. The Apostle’s life is one where he longed to be with God’s people and greet them with a kiss. Paul was not content suffering for the cause of Christ in a prison cell away from God’s people. He did not appreciate his isolation from church life. While the Gospel prospered even in Paul’s imprisonment, he longed to see the people of God (Rom. 1:11).
The apostolic model calls us to use this time to meditate on how little we show physical affection to those nearest to us. If anything, we need to consider how few tangible acts of love we offered before the pandemic kept us away from the presence of others. It is a scientific affirmation that hugs between fathers and sons, for instance, improve physical and psychological well-being.a There is too much at stake in this conversation beyond economics. Easter comes with tangible consequences.
It is common to think that the Pauline imperatives belong to an ancient culture where physical affection was time-bound, but we now live in a more personalized western environment where our interactions do not require physicality. But it’s important to note that this is not the Western perspective. While some may feel this way in this country, Latinized countries and the vast majority of European nations practice some physical form of greeting one another.b It is entirely possible and likely that our germaphobia is linked to our dismay of what the Bible and the vast majority of cultures consider normal.
(more…)- The humble hug represents security, reassurance and love – and as well as emotional benefits there is well-documented scientific evidence that regular hugging improves physical and psychological well-being. Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that the bonding hormone oxytocin rises substantially the more hugs a person receives. https://www.menshealth.com/uk/health/a754361/why-hugs-are-good-for-father-son-bonding/ (back)
- https://jetfarer.com/brazilian-kissing-culture-greetings/ (back)
