Of the differences between man and
woman here’s one: these hands. Not to forget,
it’s a woman who births these manly hands.
A man’s hands to elevate your Body, to
consecrate bread and wine, yes, a man’s hands,
a man’s hands to hold her close, to keep her
forever. But a man’s hands profaned and
pillagers are imprisoned from their potential.
When I see his hands I see mine. What lame
cause of action has kept these hands barren,
his fruitful. A man’s hands meant to consecrate
to bear much fruit. I look at them, how I
have commissioned them, what true capacity
lie wasting, henceforth to be awakened.
Many manly hands have had grace slip through
the fingers, covered the ears, covered the
eyes, covered the mouth and never uttered
your Sacred Name nor lifted your Body
and Blood. These hands of mine I study them
closely, a reflection of what could have been.
Gary Edward Geraci
-
Author:
Gary Edward Geraci (
Offline) - Published: October 3rd, 2020 15:35
- Comment from author about the poem: Priesthood and marriage ...
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 47
Offline)
Comments2
Yet you have handled the gifts of bread and wine (received them, or 'communicated' to use a religious term).
A reflection of what has been so far? In good and postive ways I mean.
As one said to me: 'We've just been talking about you'. I replied 'All good stuff I hope!'
The poem is about a Catholic man lamenting his missing his calling to the sacrament of Holy Orders, O.
At least in part. There is our “ordinary” priesthood to celebrate (versus the “ministerial” priesthood that a Catholic priest celebrates). I wonder how many men (of Catholic upbringing - only because of what we believe regarding “Transubstantiation” something Christ appointed only ordained men to do - have looked at their hands and thought to themselves: through these hands God would have made Christ present!?
Doh! On a flippant note ya got me singing 'You need hands'! A prehistoric (well, 1958) song by Max Bygraves among others. lol.
🤣🤣🤣
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