The excitement of Easter is that God promises to be with us in new ways. The Spirit of Jesus invades our human hearts, and the heart of the world. That Jesus passed through closed doors or rock tombs are ways of trying to express this truth of joy. Thomas is not impressed when told by his friends that they had seen The Lord, and Thomas says ... ’’Unless I see His wounded hands, and His open side I’m not convinced. Then Jesus meets Thomas, and Jesus says... Thomas, here are my hands. Give me your hand. What wonderful words ...what a summary of life, and all religion. Jesus asks us to give Him our hands as His Hands, when we do our work, when we give to others, when we play music and games, when we draw designs and paint, when we write, when we share hands and hug, when we entertain, when we heal in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, and especially when we join hands in praise and thanks to God Our Father. It is no surprise that the best loved of all songs, with both young and old is ,,He's got the whole world in His Hands ....you and me sister ...you and me brother ....the little bitty babies...everybody ...He’s got the whole world in His Hands. Easter is God Our Father asking us to lend Jesus our hands.

Liam Hickey, St.Ciarans, Hartstown, Dublin 15.