In late 15th century Germany, young Albert Durer agreed to work in the dangerous mines so that he could earn enough money to send his talented brother through art school. When Albrecht, his brother, finished art school, he would reciprocate by sending Albert through art school.
However, the four years that he worked in the mines were cruel to Albert. He broke every finger in his hands at least once. As a result, his hands became so crippled by arthritis that his dream of becoming an artist died. Now he could not even hold a paintbrush.
In a Christ-like way, Albert had given his life so that his brother could live his dream. To express his thanks for his brother’s sacrificial love, in 1508 Albrecht sketched Albert’s abused hands with palms together and fingers extended skyward.
Albrecht named his painting of love simply Hands. The entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to this great masterpiece. But perhaps urged by the Holy Spirit, the people of the world re-baptized it with the name Praying Hands.
Appropriate name
The name is appropriate because through his hands Albert offered his work as a daily prayer of love for his brother.
Perhaps we can consider making our work a prayer. We can make our work a prayer by offering our best to Jesus at our job, at volunteer positions, at home, or wherever we work.
The book called The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is a classic on making our work a prayer. He joined the Carmelite order and became a full member in 1642.
He expected to spend his days in prayer and meditation. Instead, his superior assigned him to do the cooking and cleanup.
For 10 years, he hated this work. But one day while working, he experienced an intense awareness of the presence of God. This grace enabled him to make his work a prayer.
In her book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver writes that after his conversion, Brother Lawrence decided to do everything well for the love of God. When he did this, he found his own kitchen service a joy and an avenue to a closer walk with God.
Brother Lawrence described work as prayer, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer. And in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are calling for different things at the same time, I possess God in as great a tranquility as if I were on my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.”
Washing the dishes
After his deeper conversion, Brother Lawrence’s working love made his washing dishes an act of worship. Weaver writes that when we joyfully offer our work as prayer, something wonderful happens. Sinks turn into sanctuaries, mops swab holy ground, and daily chores become opportunities to express our gratitude.
In the book Love Adds a Little Chocolate, Linda Andersen writes, “Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch, but love may decide to enclose a little love note inside . . . Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the corners in around their necks and passes out kisses and hugs (even to teenagers) . . . duty gets offended quickly if it is not appreciated but love learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer joy of doing it. Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but love quite often adds a little chocolate!”
In no. 2427 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is stated that “He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying his cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the spirit of Christ.”
In no. 2428 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “Everyone should be able to draw from their work the means of providing for his life and the life of his family and of serving the human community.”
In his earthly life, Jesus did the will of his Heavenly Father. Again and again, he went beyond the call of duty and acted out of love. His work became his prayer of love not only in the carpenter shop, but also in his work of healing, preaching, proclaiming the kingdom, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising so he can offer us the gift of Heaven.
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.