St. Ciaran's, Clonmcnoise, is the oldest place of pilgrimage in Ireland. Its sculptured Cross of the Scriptures is a world treasure. My favourite panel on the Cross is The Right Hand of God, which rests hidden, under the arm of the Cross. It is a regal hand, embroidered with Celtic designs, and suggests God saving His people.
Jesus tells us today, that nobody can take us out of His Hand, nor can we be taken out of The Father's Hand. The Hand of God image colours all God's Love stories for us, from beginning to end. His Right Hand will hold you fast....His Right Hand will raise you ,are prayers of thousands of years and more. Into Your Hand I commend my spirit, Jesus prayed.
The Mass never lets us forget the wonder of God's Hand and the wonder of our own hands. Indeed, great scientist Einstein, said that looking at his thumb, proved the existence of God. Our hands are "God's hands" of blessing to the world, the saint says. We are His instruments. It is awesome when we think of the creativity of hands, as I write, or play, or paint, plant, sow, cook. Brian Keenan, after long hours in dark imprisonment, showed his hands on Television, The open hand, he said, is welcome, giving, praising, receiving thankfully, but the closed hand can be a fist of hate and destruction. God's Hands are always open, even when they were crucified.
Lord, help us to have open hands of welcome and affection, especially when we are hurt and disappointed. Our hands are the windows of the heart and of God. May the giving hand never wither.