No hands and feet but yours…

This has really, really spoken to me today…just when I needed to hear it! It has also reminded me that the core of the Gospel is not just what I believe but how I put those beliefs into action…

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Teresa of Avila

I have been struggling so much with the extra workload that comes from sharing a home with my daughter and grandson…to the point that I was saying to hubby this morning that I was going to have to tell her I couldn’t keep on doing what I’m doing, helping and “holding the baby” so much, and slogging away until 11pm at night, then going to work in the morning. Hubby wasn’t happy with this, so I haven’t said anything, but pondered on his objections. Of course, he is right ~ as he said, it’s not forever, and if I say anything then it will make it harder for her to ask for help when she really needs it, and she will feel guilty, and a burden. I came to this conclusion myself after my morning prayer out in the garden, after saying the Rosary and pondering on Mary. You see, in Scripture, we never see Mary doing anything for herself! Not that she never did, I’m sure, but the message we have been left with is her commitment to her Son, and from that to ourselves when He gave her to us as our Mother. Now I know I am not holy like Mary! Far from it ~ but perhaps I can be a Saint Anne instead…the Grandmother of Jesus. I am sure that Saint Anne would have been very involved with Jesus and Mary’s lives, helping, supporting and loving. If I can put myself in her place, then I can re-connect with the sacramental nature of my role in the home.

I am certain that my daughter appreciates what we do ~ she has said so and seems aware of that side of things. But I still shouldn’t be doing this for her acknowledgement, but for God, the One who matters! I have been so “round the houses” on this issue and it’s about time I accepted with grace my vocation and stop whinging! The prayer above really helped, because it made me realise that yes, I am Christ’s hands and feet; Christ isn’t powerless by nature, but I think He often chooses to be, because He wants us to be His co-workers. In this situation I am in, Christ has no hands and feet but mine! By that I mean no physical hands and feet…no -one else to do the work, get their hands dirty, put themselves out and sacrifice their free time. That thought, for me, can be transformative, and turn a drudge into a joy! It’s like prayer…I don’t believe that God actually needs our prayers, but he wants them, because that’s how He ensures we work together, in prayer and in service.

Just thought I’d share that!

Family Prayer to St. Anne

Saint Anne, Bless My Family
My family is the heart of my life.
It is my little Church.
Saint Anne, guard the members of my family
against all physical and spiritual danger.

You lived in the presence of your husband Joachim
and your little daughter Mary.
Later, you welcomed your son-in-law, Saint Joseph,
and above all your beloved Grandson Jesus, our Saviour.

May your family inspire our families.
May we remain united in a deep mutual love.
If my family is broken by separation or divorce,
remain for us the Saint of tenderness and lead us to God.

Saint Anne, you were a spouse, a mother, and a grandmother;
bless all the members of my family.
Keep us faithful to the Lord
and may we remain attentive to the needs of other families.

~ Amen