I promised myself, see original post after hearing a priest talk about the hands that are open the communion rail, that I would reflect on this whilst distributing the sacrament.
I did this a few weeks ago and was quite surprised by the results. Not that I should have been really… It only really works if you know the people in your congregation!
This is what I came up with, albeit after the event, trying to remember what I had thought at the time.
The hands that come to the rail, Anoint, Bless and Baptize. Hands that have crafted wood, been creative, have the Care of children. Hands that can Comfort, Cook, Clean, Caress, Console, Cling and Carry. Hands that Dig, Drive, Dress, Feed, Grab, Heal, Hold, Mend and Nurture. Hands that have Picked up, Prepared and Planted, Played and Polished. Hands that Repair, Support, Serve, Sew, Shield and Shelter. Hands that Type and Talk, Write, Wash and Wipe. Hands that are Young, Old, Clean, Dirty, Lined, Smooth, gnarled, Missing fingers, Cracked, Well manicured, Cold, have Bad circulation.
All the hands that come to the rail to receive have spent at least part of their life offering skills, time and talents for the benefit of others. Here they are come to receive a simple blessing from God when all the while they have been blessing the world in their own way.
