An ABC of Faith

Blessing

Who cannot but be moved by the delightful rendition of John Rutter’s “The Lord Bless you and Keep you,” where he takes the words of Numbers 6:24-26 and weaves them into a song of blessing. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

A number attempts have been made to place the ancient word Blessing into contemporary language, that I regret falls short of beauty and mystery of this sacred term.  For example Today’s English version uses the word happy, but for me there is something deeper and much richer behind the word blessing. Yes, it means a state of happiness but the Hebrew word for Blessing (berakhah) also means to kneel, to praise.

The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing. Berakhah also have an educational function to transform a variety of everyday actions and occurrences into religious experiences designed to increase awareness of God at all times.  

This awareness of God is true of the Beatitudes, which we will consider tomorrow, where the state of vulnerability of those who receive God’s blessing seems anything but a state of happiness.  Matthew Henry for example writes, “What we count as the ills of life are often blessings in disguise, resulting in good to us in the end. Though for the present not joyous but grievous, yet, if received in a right spirit, they work out fruits of righteousness for us at last.”

It is worth noting the tale that Sadhu Sundar Singh, relays. “While I was in Tibet I saw a Buddhist, a monk, who had lived for five or six years in a cave. When he went into the cave he had good eyesight. But because he stayed so long in the darkness his eyes grew weaker and weaker, and at last he became quite blind. It is just the same with us. If we do not use the blessings which we have received from God for His Glory, we are in danger of losing them forever.”

A prayer

Blesséd Lord, I am so grateful for how you keepin those around me safe and loved. ... I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray that you remind me of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness. Thank you, Lord. Amen