Mary’s hands

Like most women, the Blessed Mother used her hands and feet to work, pray, walk and reach out to those around her, especially Jesus as he was growing up as a baby, toddler, teenager and adult. She didn’t have a washing machine, so she had to scrub, wash, rinse with her own hands. She didn’t have a dish-washer, and she had to clean, wash, wipe and polish her plates and dishes with her own hands. She didn’t have running water at home, and so she had to walk with a bucket to the nearest well and draw water herself, walking back home a few times until she gathered all the water she needed to cook, wash and drink, and with her Jesus and Joseph. We admire today Mary’s hands which we imagine folded in prayer, teaching her Son the basic prayers, which He would teach to the rest of the world. But they were also hands that scrubbed, washed, cleaned, swept, dusted and helped all those who need her assistance.