Hands and hearts

The story is told about a teacher who, holding 10 apples in one hand and 10 oranges in the other, asked his class: “What do I have?” Came a chorus of voices saying: “You have 20 fruits” or “You have 10 apples and 10 oranges.” But little Jimmy’s voice stood out: “Wow, Sir, you have big hands!”

Today is Ascension Sunday. In today’s Gospel (Mk. 16: 15-20), Jesus tells His disciples before He was taken up to Heaven: “Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” There is a big world out there, and our hands are small. But our hands become big if we put them together, and if we hold on to His hands.

Take a look at your hands. There are people who have only one hand, or no hands at all. Your hands have received many blessings. Have they shared, and have they given? How have you used your hands—to help, or to hurt? And do you fold your hands often enough to thank God in prayer?

Today is Mother’s Day. We remember our mothers fondly. Mothers have big hands doing all sorts of chores, extending assurance with their embrace, teaching us to fold our hands in prayer. We can never know or measure how much our mothers have done for us. Thank you, dear mothers, for your big, loving hands!

More than big hands, mothers have big hearts that overflow with so much love. The heart closest to God’s heart is that of a mother. It is our mothers who taught us to appreciate the finer things in life, like goodness, values, character—and yes, God. Thank you, dear mothers, for your big, loving hearts.

Mama Mary is our model mother. She has big hands, and a big heart. She is a good reminder for mothers who tend to have big heads, as well as big mouths. May she always be a reminder for all of us to value hard work, and not to belittle matters of the heart.

No matter what age, no matter how old we get, there will always be a part of us that connects us with our mothers. And yes, there will always be something—or someone, too—that will remind us of their presence in our lives.

Think about this: “A mother holds her children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”

Today, the eve of the barangay elections, let us pray for our Motherland. May we be blessed with good and able leaders. The small barangay is a good place in which to start change, and let us start with the youth. But sad to say, corruption can also start with the small and with the youth.

Today is also the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima who promised to banish war and fears. Again, as our mothers have encouraged and guided us, our Mama Mary challenges us not to give up praying, and not to give up working for peace. There are many things that prayer can change and bring about. Just keep on praying. Pray more. Pray on.

By the way, today is also World Communications Day. Communications have never been better in terms of technology, but have deteriorated very much on the interpersonal level. We are in touch with the world out there with much ease and speed, but we do not even care to look at or connect with the people in our midst.

As we journey on, may we learn to “rise above” and not be disheartened by the blocks, detours, and delays that come our way. It is our faith in our Risen Lord that helps us to get going. Wishing you all a pleasant journey, but as you and I know, that is wishful thinking. God did not promise us a trouble-free journey, but a beautiful destination, and His constant and unfailing presence with us every step of the way.

Think about this: “It is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.”

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to use our hearts and our hands well. Amen.