Perhaps it began in childhood, while singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Maybe it grew during long homilies at my parish when I studied the large mounted statue of Christ, with His pierced hand pointing to His Sacred Heart. I suspect the Holy Spirit was preparing me then for what was to come. As a teenager, I heard a talk on being “in the hand of God,” and the idea lit up my heart in a new way.
In prayer, I began to imagine myself in His hands. Through all the searching and suffering of my twenties and thirties, I’d close my eyes and imagine myself cradled in His hand, close to His heart, resting in His love.
Now, in middle age, I still use this imagery and often meditate on the hand of God. To my knowledge, there is no official devotion to the hand of God, but it is something precious to me. God’s hand has comforted me and provided for me. It has lovingly held back the good to deliver the great. It has been my refuge and my strength.
Through the years, as I worshipped the Lord from the comfort of His own hand, I felt such peace, such consolation, such joy. The reason? Because I was in the presence of their very Giver, for the Church understands that the finger of God represents the Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church § 700).
So when Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “It is by the Finger of God that I drive out demons,” (Luke 11:20) we know it is the Spirit driving them out. Perhaps this is true for us, too. In His loving hand, the finger of God will cast out the demons, idols, and worries in our hearts.
Place yourself in God’s hand and ask Him to show you any unconfessed sins you may have. Take them to Confession and receive His forgiveness and love.
God's hand has lovingly held back the good to deliver the great. // Bonnie Engstrom Click to tweet
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
