Hands

Have you ever looked at your hands?

I mean really looked at them?

I was listening to a priest talk the other day and he was explaining what happens when priests are ordained.  He said that when they are ordained, their hands are anointed with Holy Oil.  Their hands are anointed in anticipation of all of the work they will be called to do.  They will literally be Jesus’ hands here on earth.

They will distribute Holy Communion and give blessings and perform baptisms and confirmations and weddings and funerals.  They will lay their hands on others to signify forgiveness and reconciliation and healing.  They will work for the poor and help the homeless and visit the imprisoned.  They will greet and congratulate and anoint others.  They will be busy.

Our hands are busy too.  They hold babies and cook dinners and greet friends.  They feel for fevers and fold laundry and sign permission slips.  They tuck in and clean and organize.  They type and they write and they “dial” phone numbers.  They look up information and help with homework and they hold books.  They zip zippers and tie shoes and pack lunches. They wave hello and goodbye and pat backs.  They dry tears.  They build with Legos and they draw with crayons.  They lift up in excitement and praise.

Some of our hands administer medicine and deliver babies and take vital signs.  Some of our hands broker deals and sign contracts and write paychecks.  Some of our hands help others walk or speak or learn.  Depending on our jobs, our hands have different duties.  Within a lifetime, our hands could do all of these things.

People who cannot speak use their hands to communicate.  Lots of people (like me) wave their hands around a lot when they talk in order to make their point!

When we’re just getting to know someone and falling in love, holding hands is a big deal.  To hold hands with someone is intimate and trusting and a way to say, “I like being with you.”

My Dad used to hold my hand when we would walk.  I haven’t thought of that in awhile but now as I’m remembering, I can feel his hands. It was comforting to hold his hand.  We were showing up together…as in, “I’m with him and I’m proud of it!”.   In our church, we hold hands when we say the “Our Father” – we are one voice and one community in our prayer.

When someone is sick, we sit by their bedside and we hold their hand.

Our hands show love and commitment.  They say hello and goodbye and welcome.  They work and they serve.  They can transform, they can bless, they can pray, they can unite.

Yes, the hands of a priest are busy doing holy work.  And so are yours and mine.