When meeting with parents prior to the Baptism of their child, we discuss the Baptism Ritual. Part of the ritual is the blessing of the child by the Priest, parents and godparents. I mention to the parents that blessing someone is not just something a Priest can do, but something we can all do. I remind parents that a blessing, wanting God’s blessings upon one’s child, wanting the best for one’s child is certainly the wish and prayer of all parents.
I go on to share that blessing one’s child is not something that can only be done at Baptism, but blessing one’s child is something that can be done all the days of their lives, by parents.
- A blessing before going to bed.
- A blessing on the first day of school.
- A blessing as a child prepares for exams.
- A blessing as a child prepares for marriage. (and on the list can go…)
Of course, we can all bless one another in any number of ways every day. We certainly bless one another as we go about our daily lives faithfully, conscientiously and lovingly.
Just maybe this new year and the Lord’s instruction to Moses of how to bless the people of Israel, might get us thinking about the people we might add to our list of people to bless.
Maybe this year we might:
- Bless another in our prayers for them.
- Bless others in our prayer with one another (the prayer we call the Mass, each weekend)
- Bless another with a visit or a phone call (maybe on a regular basis, not just one & done)
- Bless another with some help or assistance.
- Bless others with an attitude of gratitude, with our words of appreciation.
- Bless others with our cooperation.
- Bless others (family, friends, co-workers) with a lived faith daily.
And a very interesting thing seems to happen when we make a conscious effort to be a blessing to one another and to others… we too are blessed!
May the blessings we receive and share in today and every day during this new year — allow us to be that same blessing of God to others every day during this new year!