Blessing and Being Blessed

Dear Sisters and Brothers

I would like to focus my thoughts today on the most beautiful mission given to all of God's children.

In our First Reading, (Numbers 6:22-27) we heard from the Book of Numbers how the sons of Aaron, the priests at the sanctuary, are commissioned by God to bless the Israelites. Even today, this blessing is reserved for the priest, the Kohanim in the Orthodox Jewish worship. This evening on this Feast Day of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we begin our biblical Readings with this exquisite text from the Old Testament. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that this should be found at the beginning of the civil calendar year. Nevertheless, I believe that it is worth it to take a closer look at this text.

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus,

A blessing is not just some empty saying. In the act of blessing, something mysterious, something unfathomable takes place. The one who gives the blessing unites with the one who receives the blessing. A father or mother, for example, who blesses their child expresses that they want to be there for that child, to protect, to strengthen and to guide him. To this day, whenever I leave after a visit at my parental home, I bend down and my mother blesses me with Holy Water as she makes the Sign of the Cross on my forehead. This expression of love is something I share over and over again. Why? Because it is that important to me! When parents do this, they are committing their own lives to the life and well-being of their child.

God Blesses

When God blesses, HE unites and reaffirms Himself with people and He renews His promise to be there for His children - just like a good father and a loving mother. Like every blessing, God's blessing is the promise to preserve life, to sustain it and to complete it. This divine love is found most especially in the deepest mystery of the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the heart of our faith, our hope and our love. Mary was allowed to experience this magnitude and depth of faith, hope and love in her heart.

Mary

Today, on her Solemnity as the Mother of Jesus, we confess and celebrate Mary as the Mother of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Mary herself became a blessing for us when she said YES to God's plan of redemption. The Archangel Gabriel foretold Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) She was touched, formed and sustained by God's blessing in a limitless and immeasurable way. Mary is therefore the archetype of the Church. The Church, which receives God's blessing and passes it on to us. Again: To bless someone means to unite with them here in the heart, to accompany them, support them and strengthen them. Now – please pay attention: When you bless someone, this blessing will return to you - this is what God promises. I believe that the regular practice of blessing is often underestimated and maybe even forgotten.

Blessings for the New Year

For the New Year I would like to make the following recommendation: First, bless all of the experiences you have had in the past year, all of the ups and even all of the downs. Say yes to these experiences and hand them over to God. He knows and understands – He unites, he heals and he strengthens. Secondly, bless everything that lies ahead of you, and all that you will encounter. Bless those who are in your heart and especially those who annoy you and let you down. I am convinced that a blessing like this can really have an impact on our lives, it can change our perception of life. Today, on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, it is our mission to bless and to become a blessing ourselves. In the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, God gives the gift to become his beloved children. That is why we are all priestly people. Each and every one of us was anointed with the holy oil in the sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation as a sign that we share in the universal priesthood of Jesus and in the priestly mission of the Church. St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Christians in Galatia (Galatians 4:4-7), that we are no longer servants, but sons and daughters of the living God. There are different ministries, roles, tasks and duties in the physical Church – but all are equally important and have the same worthiness and dignity before God. St. Augustine talked about the invisible Church. Consequently, every human being has a mission in the world. To seek the good and beauty in everything that is. The final mission for everyone could be: To bless and to be blessed.

I wish you and your loved ones much joy, confidence, perseverance, patience and thousands of blessing in the New Year.

Praise be to Jesus Christ.

Fr. Kurt