Open My Hands, Lord

Rebecca Sheridan
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Deuteronomy 15:7-11

    I find it pretty ironic that I am not supposed to be preaching tonight – Deacon Jim Blewett was – that was the plan!!  I like having a firm grasp if you will on the plan. It feels good to be in control and have the situation “in hand.”  But of course, plans change, things happen, and we pivoted so here I am, humbly trying to offer a word of inspiration and hope tonight.  Our first reading from Deuteronomy contrasts the image of a tight-fisted, closed hand with an open hand that is generous in caring for those who are less fortunate.  When you think about it, open hands really symbolize more than just generosity and care for the needy.  Archaeologists have discovered early Christian murals on catacombs which depict Christians praying not as many of us were taught, hands folded, heads bowed, eyes closed, sitting down – but almost the opposite – hands outstretched into what we learned in seminary is the “orans” or “prayer” position – head uplifted, eyes open, standing.  It’s a totally different feeling relating to God if you try it. It’s not wrong to pray how we were taught, but it does open us up to God in a different way with hands open, arms outstretched.  I don’t like when the plan changes or feeling like I am not in control, but opening my hands allows me to remember to “let go, and let God…” We put our trust and our lives into God’s hands, ultimately.  We are open, available, ready to serve.
    Our tagline in the ELCA is “God’s work, our hands.”  I appreciate this motto, because it’s a good reminder that “letting go and letting God’ is not simply sitting on our hands and doing nothing, but rather using our hands to do God’s work.  Psalm 139 reassures us that wherever we go, God’s hand leads us.  We can think about the work God might be calling us to do with our hands.  Hands welcome with a pat on the back or a handshake, and hold doors open for strangers.  They heal, as we heard in our gospel reading for today.  Hands cook, clean, plant gardens and create – beautiful banners for worship, quilts for refugees, knitted hats and mittens for those who are cold, tying fleece blankets together for the homeless.  Hands play music in praise and worship of God, distribute Holy Communion, pray for others and all of God’s creation.  Tonight, we give God thanks for the simple gift of our hands, and we ask God to keep our hands open, not tight-fisted in anxiety and a disordered need to control God and others around us. We open our hands – to God’s will, to serve a world in need, to praise and bless.
    As we move toward Good Friday and the crucifixion of Jesus, we also thank God for Jesus’ hands, who not only healed the sick with his touch but bore the wounds of the nails in his hands on the cross for us.  On the cross, Jesus prays Psalm 31, “Into your hands I commend my spirit.”  Jesus shows us how to trust God more completely.  He teaches us how to do God’s work with our hands, and extends his arms to us in God’s mercy and loving embrace on the cross.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.