Hands

Today I was serving communion, and I was struck by the difference in people's hands. People come forward for the bread and the wine, and we serve by intinction. So we place the wafer (styrofoam poker chip) into their hands and they dip them into the wine.

I don't know why today I noticed, but I did. Sometimes, people come forward, with their eyes on the floor, and their hands cupped in front of them...a position of receiving something.

Sometimes they clutch their hands closed after I place the wafer in their hands...as if it's something they don't want to lose.

Sometimes they "pluck" the wafer out of my fingers as I take it towards them...as if in a sense of anticipation.

Sometimes they hesitate in taking the wafer...as if they're not sure they should.

In our tradition, we don't commune children until they've completed "First Communion Instruction" in fifth grade. (Don't get me started on this one...) So we do a blessing of the younger children. I do this by making the mark of the cross on their forehead and reminding them of God's baptismal promises to them. But my favorite thing is when these children, who do not necessarily understand the praxis of the church, reach out to grab a wafer...as if they are claiming something that belongs to them...which, of course, they are. (once again, don't get me started...)

I see young hands...old hands...gnarled hands...large hands...calloused hands...gentle hands...these hands represent th;e very different places in life that people are at. It also reminds me that God's grace is for everyone.

Hands.