| HANDS is an illustrated meditation on the way of the cross. It was written in 1964 by Rev. William Crumley C.S.C. The work was inspired by his meditation on a way of the cross which pictured only the hands of Jesus. The illustrations in Hands are reproductions of original etchings done by Gladys Pacholke, a friend of Father Bill. In addition to the etchings, each meditation contains a quote from one of the Gospels. These quotes place the station in its biblical context. Under the quote is a brief reflection of the author. The meditations reflect on the hands of the persons who make up the way of the cross. Pilate who washes his hands and tries to separate himself from his cowardice. Jesus whose hands accept the cross Jesus whose hands are unable to bear the cross Jesus whose hands bless his mother Simon of Cyrene whose hands help Jesus Veronica whose hands wipe Jesus' face Jesus hands which again are unable to bear the cross Jesus hands which bless and comfort the women Jesus falls a third time and his hands seem unable to raise him The hands of the executioners which strip him of his clothing The hands of Jesus pierced by the nails The Father's hands which receive his work Pilate's who washed his hands must now decide what to do with the dead Jesus The reverent hands of those who bury Jesus Thomas who will only believe if he sticks his hands into Jesus' wounds Which hands do you offer Jesus? The opening meditation is hands down an original poem of the author The creative hand of God The destructive hand of sin. The choice is man's The choice is mine. The hand raised to bless, The hand raised to strike The mother's hands which cuddle, The father's hands which provide. The child's hands reach out, Do they grope in vain? A mother once cuddled her child protecting him in the cruel night. But the protective hands of the mother could not enclose the Light. One day those hands would grow They would bless, they would heal. They would comfort, they would feed. They would give peace, they would restore life. Despite the love and mercy these hands bestow Sin and jealousy cause them to bleed There are hands which hinder. There are hands which help. There are hesitant hands, there are eager hands. One hand may tremble, another falter One hand may weaken, another fall Then there's the hand unlike any other No one can escape it. Try as you may It will be there. All must grasp it in love Or slap it in hate. But you can never avoid it, Even for a day. No matter what you do There it will be - The Hand of God Lowered to raise us up. william j. crumley csc TO CONTINUE TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE TO EMAIL bill crumley OPTION PRESS 3041 CHITIMACHA TRAIL CHARENTON LOUISIANA 70523 337-923-4281 |
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