“I have been glorified in them.” (Jn. 17: 10)
Do we appreciate ourselves as much as Jesus does? Let’s meditate on one small aspect of ourselves: our hands. Look at them resting in your lap, palms up, and reflect for a few moments of silence after each question.
How have these hands gardened, built, cooked or baked, sewn?
How have these hands held those of another, in reassurance, comfort or love?
How have these hands created art, sculpture, music or poetry?
How have these hands steered cars, bikes or boats?
How have these hands cleaned, buttoned, brushed hair, bandaged?
How have these hands used tools—a trowel, a hammer, a ruler, a keyboard?
How have these hands cupped a rose, cradled a head, rippled through the waters of a lake, stream or ocean?
How have these hands gathered fruits or vegetables, made bouquets, changed oil in an engine, collected favorite stones or shells, fixed a flat tire?
God who nurtures us and delights in us, bless our hands that have done so much for the coming of your reign. Prosper the works of our hands for us. Prosper the works of our hands.
This meditation was suggested by Mark Nepo in The Book of Awakening, p.148.
Kathy Coffey 