Sr. Margaret Mary was teaching the Catechism to eager 3rd-graders when one asked her if she would teach them to pray. She showed her hands and said the first thing to learn was: it was important to pray with both hands. She showed the children how to spread out their five fingers on their left hand. “When you pray,” she said, “think about the many blessings you have received; then, count out on each finger these words which can be spoken to Jesus: ‘You. Did. This. For. Me.’” Most of the children marveled at their left hand, holding it up as though it were a trophy and saying: “You did this for me.” Sister Margaret Mary asked them to recall some of their blessings and the children said, among other things, “Mom and dad, a home, friends, God’s love, the Mass, and their pets!”
Sister Margaret Mary acted as if the lesson were over, until a child asked, “But what about the right hand?” She replied, “With those five fingers, say, “I. Am. So. Very. Grateful.’”
In her simple prayer, Sister Margaret Mary helped the children see that the Resurrection is real. What she meant was that the love and peace of the Risen Christ were powerfully present in the many moments of compassion that blessed their lives: in kind words; in the listening ear; in love shared; and in generous actions.
Jesus is also present in the blessings we extend to others. He is obviously most powerfully present in the Eucharistic bread and wine, His Body and Blood.
Let us pray. [Use both hands!]
