Tuesday, February 16

then he broke the loaves and began handing them to his disciples (multiplying fishes)

Mark 6:41 (New Jerusalem Bible)

He put his fingers in the mans ears ( healing a deaf man)

Mark 7:33 (NJB)

and if your hand should be your downfall ( leading others astray)

Mark 9:43 (NJB)

and he laid his hands on her”( healing a crippled woman on the Sabbath)

Luke 13:13 (NJB)

Pilate … took some water, washed his hands….I’m innocent of this man’s blood.

Matthew 27:24 (NJB)

he showed them his hands. (Jesus re-meets his disciples)

Matthew 27:24 (NJB)

After my father died, I felt his presence through my hands. Skin folds around my knuckles were like his. It was comforting to see him there. Fingerprint patterns testify to our uniqueness. However,real identity is manifested through the acts of hands which are more than skin deep. Rough, strong, calloused hands of the laborer attested to work rigors applied toward harvest or construction, while fingers of the ballerina show the grace and beauty inherent in her life’s way. At extreme opposites in the spectrum of identity, both are made to do God’s work. Theirs like ours often meet the challenges that test them in ways that challenge imagination and a relationship with God. Skill, endurance, integrity, rigor and faith often move through them in ways beyond comprehension. They hold fast, act gentle, comfort, and as an extension of honesty and love, assist balance, and facilitate persuasive correction and direction. They clasp with integrity in an arms length agreement and communicate when words alone are not enough or fall on deaf ears, and often are first to show frustration or happiness.

Again, this Lenten season takes us through our wilderness. Let’s feel our hands as instruments of God’s work. Keep them at the ready to touch the world that God has made us custodians of and may they not lead any astray but instead show love without restraint. Knowing we cannot wash our hands of guilt, let us grasp the guiltless hand of the one that stilled the waters and received the nails and has walked our wilderness. Though pierced and bruised may we know God’s love through these hands.

Loving and encouraging God, your greatness is beyond all understanding. You know your fathers hands. Show us again these pierced and bruised but beautiful hands. Grasp ours and guide us through our wilderness that you know so well. We are so thankful for you showing us love through your taking on the marks of pain and suffering for our sake. Amen

David C. Paterson