We are all the work of God's hands. Through our gifts ...through
our vocations ...through the work of our hands ...we are invited to
share in God's work of creating beauty and goodness in the ordinary
events of our lives.
Let us take a few moments to reflect upon our hands as instruments
of creation. (pause) Look at your hands. Look at the palm, at the
fingers, at the thumb and marvel at that creation! The hand is one of
the most intricately fashioned pieces of creation. No tool ever produced
is able to do what the human hand can do.
How many ways we use them, unaware of all that they do for us and
all that they do for others. These hands:
Give and receive, they grip and let go.
They hold and caress, they guide and shape.
They restore and create beauty..
With these hands we toil, day by day:
They cook and clean and wash.
They change diapers, and feed and bandage the cuts and
bruises of those we love.
They drive, they write, they type.
They dig and plant and harvest.
They pick up our garbage and build and repair.
They touch and feel and guide instruments that-bring healing
and hope into the lives of those who are ill or injured.
With these hands we play and recreate:
Throwing balls, playing instruments.
And with these hands we pray:
With hands clasped together...
Hands uplifted in praise and thanksgiving.
Hands open, ready to receive.
