Hands

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Hands

Father/Jesus

Protect     Guard     Save

They Came To Believe

Shelter

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scriptures:   Acts of the Apostles 13:48

When the Gentiles heard this message from Paul and Barnabas, they were delighted and glorified the Word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life, came to believe.

John 10:28 and 29

Jesus said, "I give My sheep eternal life. They will never perish. No one can take them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can take them out of the Father's hand."

Reflection

What are some of the most precious things that you have held in your hands?

Could it be the hand of a good friend who turned to you for help in a time of deep need?

Could it be the hand of a child or grandchild who trusted you to show her or him the way home?

Could it be the Body of Christ when you felt empty and in need of healing?

We see in our reading from John that we are in very good hands! First Jesus tells us that He will give His sheep eternal life. Not too shabby! I think most of us will take that deal!!

However, that is not enough for Jesus. Yes, it's a wonderful gift that Jesus will give us. Jesus then ups the offer. He says that He will keep us in His hands. He will hold us so tightly and so securely that no one will be able to take us from Him.

Imagine that! What a Love Jesus has for us!

I feel love when someone holds me close to them in love. It is a great feeling. The warmth fills my whole being and tells me that I am wanted. How awesome to realize that Jesus wants me this much!

Yet even that is not enough for Jesus! He tells us that we are also in the Father's hands! Amazing! How is it possible that we are loved this much?

It is hard to take in a Love this deep and caring. Most of us would settle for 10% of this Love. Jesus says that is not enough. He just keeps on giving us more and more.

Our difficulty is found in our reading from The Acts of the Apostles. The Gentiles gradually came to believe that they were also to be included in this Kingdom of God's Love. They were to be held in the hands of Jesus and the hands of the Father. 

They, like us, find it hard to believe that God could love them this much. They "came" to believe. 

That is our challenge. Can we believe that we are sheltered in the hands of Jesus and the hands of the Father?

Don't worry---you are in GOOD HANDS!!!!!

1. When you think of some special things you have held in your hands, what comes to mind for you?

2. How do you picture yourself in the hands of Jesus?

3. How do you picture yourself in the hands of the Father?

4. Can God really Love you this much?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)