A Fire Within

In one of Rembrandt’s etchings, there is no halo around the Lord’s head, but there is one around His hand. Over the years, the critics have debated Rembrandt’s reason for doing this. But there can be no debate over the meaning of that symbolism for us. Jesus’ hands are holy hands. Jesus’ hands are sacred hands. Jesus used His holy, sacred hands as instruments of service. Jesus used His holy, sacred hands to heal the sick, transform death into life, and give sight to the blind. Jesus used His holy, sacred hands to bless, break, and give the five loaves and fishes that fed many thousands to His disciples.

Indeed. In today’s Gospel Lesson, we find Jesus busy at work, using His holy, sacred hands. After preaching to the thousands of people who have been following Him and curing those in need of healing, the Apostles say to Him: “Send the crowds away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and…