In the fourth week of Lent, we are invited to reflect on what we do with our hands. … How do we use two hands given to us by God …
Many times during the day, we reach out our hands to greet someone, give bread to the hungry and open the door to our home. Two hands can hug, show love, bless and help other people, they can relieve hard work. Unfortunately, there are situations when we hurt someone with our hands by inflicting physical pain on impact or other type of physical violence. Then we hurt others and ourselves by destroying mutual relations. How is it in your case? Do your hands serve you to multiply good or do others harm?
In the “Diary” of St. Faustina, we read about the image of Merciful Jesus: “One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast” (Diary 47). For thirty years of hidden life in Nazareth, Jesus worked hard and did physical work, mainly carpentry. Then with his hands he blessed, touched the sick and fed the hungry. He used every opportunity to do good. This is God …
By looking at what God does, we are able to imitate Him and, like Him, come to help others. The author of the Diary writes: “It is not the greatness of the works, but the greatness of the effort that will be rewarded” (Diary 1310). This is the case with works that require tedious hours before they are completed, and the effects can sometimes be seen only after some time.
So, repeat every time laziness and discouragement creeps into your life: “Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks” (Diary 163).
Courage!
