Helping Hand

I was about to hear confessions this morning when a distressed woman in her thirties asked me to talk with her. I knew right away something might have happened seriously. She said her husband physically abused her (she's 2-months pregnant) with two very young children. She couldn't go back to her house because her in-laws don't like her. Her husband was detained. She has no work and she wanted to go back to San Jose with her children to be with her family. I just listened and she was in pain.

Without hesitation I grabbed some food in our kitchen and gave her money for the bus fare. I prayed that she will be safe and tried to comfort her. She said," I am not a Catholic Father, I belonged to a Pentecostal Church but I stopped going there. But thank you anyway for your kindness, for your helping 'hand'".

I pondered on my hand today. Is this hand always open and willing to help? Is this a hand that blesses and gives assurance of support? Does this hand comfort the sick or heal? Is this hand willing to offer a cup of water or a bowl of food? Will this hand be willing to be dirtied and bruised or carry anything for the sake of helping. I looked at it and it's smooth and soft. I gazed upon the cross where a man was nailed. His hand was pure, but bloodied, stiff and strong, fragile yet gentle and I wondered how many of our hands are willing to be "nailed" because we just want to help without counting the cost and to extend to somebody and would feel the pain, the hardships.

Let this be our prayer: Lord, you opened your hand to all of us and we nailed you on the cross when we sin or disobey you. Make our hands ready to help. Remove the painful memories which our hand might have done. Purify the intention of these delicate hands that they may raise up and worship you with love and humility. Thank you Lord for these hands make them like yours. Amen.