Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

On the final Sunday of 2012, our priest offered a special invitation: Come forward and have your hands anointed with oil.

I’ve never experienced this, but seeing as how I’m married to the priest, I thought it would be a good example for me to come forward. To my surprise, nearly the entire congregation rose and filed into the aisle. Apparently the interim priest began this tradition last year, and the parishioners took to it.

As the priest marked the sign of a cross on each palm, he prayed: “May these hands be blessed to do the work of God’s hands in the world.”

It was a powerful reminder of my obligation and privilege as a Christian to be the face – and hands – of Christ in the world. These hands will make meals for the hungry, pack boxes for overseas soldiers. They will embrace a grieving widow and clutch the chubby hands of a toddler. 

If I let them, my hands can become God’s hands. 

The slick of the oil soon washed off, but I’ve found myself in the days since looking at my upturned hands, tracing the cross, feeling the call to serve. 

Traditionally during an ordination service, the bishop anoints the hands of the newly ordained priest. The priest’s hands are being blessed to do the work of God, to break the bread, to offer God’s blessing, to anoint others for healing. 

In our Episcopal understanding of the priesthood of all believers, it makes sense to me that the anointing of hands can be a ritual for all of us. Through our baptismal vows, we all are called to ministry, to seek and serve Christ in all people, to strive for justice and peace and to proclaim by word and example the Good News. 

St. Francis beseeched followers of Christ to be a hands-on people, to preach the Gospel always – and if necessary, use words. 

May your hands be blessed to do the work of God in the world. Amen.