St Patrick – Blessings
I am not sure when or how I realized that I held such power with my words, but perhaps it was because I grew up hearing words of blessing as my dad would lay his hand on my head and declare a blessing each night. As I grew up and found myself on both ends of giving and receiving blessings and curses, I learned by experience that sticks and stones may break bones but words can, in fact, be hurtful, and that if I hadn’t anything nice to say, I shouldn’t say anything at all!
What does it mean to bless? Bless comes etymologically from the religious practice of consecrating, or making holy, with blood. By the 11th century, the idea of blessing was equated with happiness or well-being. When God blesses us or when we bless one another, according to Scripture, the one blessed is strengthened, or helped or made better off than they were before. The importance of Invoking blessings with the goal of yielding favor and well-being for the recipient is at the heart of the practice. It often includes a meaningful touch, good words of affirmation that esteem the recipient and build them up. Even more it provides a picture of a hopeful future, almost as though we were speaking for or to God on their behalf.
When we bless God it as not quite the same thing, since God does not need us to make Him stronger, larger or better off; He is the source of all blessing. Rather, blessing the Lord is a joyful exclamation to God’s magnificence and His exalted presence. To bless God means we recognize his great strength, rich lovingkindness and gracious bounty and to express our gratitude in being the recipients of it.
May you be blessed to be a blessing!
May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most!
Since I don’t care for beer, I will toast the other Irish beverage!
Of all my favorite things to do,
the utmost is to have a brew.
My love grows for my leafy friend,
with each thirst-quenching elbow bend.
Tea is black or green, hot or cold,
It’s paradise–pure liquid gold.
Yes, tea means many things to me…
That’s all for now, I gotta pee!
Definitely Jim’s prayer! And one that God answered!
Grant me a sense of humor, Lord,
The saving grace to see a joke,
To win some happiness from life,
And pass it on to other folk.