Hands Up

 I had the opportunity to escape to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains this past week.  While visiting I attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Hands up this was a wonderful experience. 

  As my family and I approached the church, an usher greeted us with a warm hello and asked us if we would like to receive holy water. “Yes!” I replied and held my hands up as he placed a small amount of water in them so I could bless myself with The Sign of the Cross.  As I sat in the pew before Mass began, I was intrigued with a banner of St. Joseph near the altar.  St. Joseph held the child Jesus in one hand and the other hand was stretched out.  

  The deacon gave a very moving homily centered on the need for our hands to be held up in life, so that we may receive the graces God desires to bestow upon us.  Filled with God’s graces we would be equipped to lend a hand to those who needed our help.  If we walked through life with our hands in fists or our arms crossed tightly across our bodies, we would be unprepared to receive God’s graces and the gifts of the Holy Spirit  

  After receiving Communion my eyes were again drawn to the banner of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph held Jesus close to his heart with one hand, and the other hand was open to God’s plan. As I continued to pray I realized that I had just received Jesus in one hand, and I too, must keep my other hand open and available to God.  I felt overwhelmed with God’s Presence. He had inspired me to come and receive Him high up on these mountains.   I was in awe of the beautiful mountains He had created, but I felt more than experiencing the beauty around me; He needed me to hear this important message of love.  

  My stay on this mountain will not be long, but it will be remembered.  Refreshed and strengthened,  I will come down the mountain holding my hands up. In fact, my hands look so much different to me now.  I realize that God will touch my hands with graces.  God allows me the privilege of holding the Body of Christ in them.  Now as I look at my hands, they appear to be stronger and more beautiful than I have ever remembered.  

-Susan