The blessing
The word blessing originates from Latin and Greeks words which can be translated as “to speak well of or to praise”. The Latin and Greek words benedicere and eulogein were used to translate the “Hebrew word brk in Scripture which referred to bending the knee, worship praise …” (etymonline.com)
The term today is usually used to indicate that one wants someone to be happy, to have good luck or to prosper in some way. Thus, one might say, “Bless those have lost loved one and homes in the California fires.” or one might say, “Bless those who are grieving the loss of loved ones in one of the mass shootings.” One might also say, as I often do, “Bless X who is living with a chronic illness such as an addition to power. sex, alcohol, or other drugs.” I also might say that I am blessed. Today after reading a text note from a homeless man on this cold, wintery day, I was acutely aware that I have been blessed today with warm home, food, decent health, a job for which I have a passion, loving friends, and the ability to keep learning.
The word blessing for me also connotes Grace meaning that I am not deserving or more deserving than the homeless person who may have none of these essentials. I am not more deserving than the refugee fleeing oppression. I am not more deserving than the person in prison. Some may argue that indeed some are more deserving because they have not been convicted of any crime, did not rob someone at gunpoint, commit a mass shooting, rape a child or otherwise overtly harm someone in a criminal way. Some might argue that lawfully taking advantage of the weakness or limitations of others is how business is done which does not make one less deserving of having many “blessings” while others seemingly have very few. Grace however, says we are all equally deserving because none of us are deserving.
When I say bless X person as suggested by William Young in his novel The Shack regarding the person who has kidnapped and murdered a young child, I am acknowledging that many factors affect the ability of a person to respect the rights and needs of others. Many types of mental illness prevent one from making decisions which respect one’s own health, the health and even the life of another. The paradox is that a healthy/well-functioning mind can make decisions to engage in behavior which maintains and even improves the health of the mind. The non-healthy mind may, at times, with loving guidance, support and possibility medication be able to make decisions to change some of their health-related habits. Thus, there are those who are able to make a decision that they need help making decisions. They may then be able to avail themselves of the assistance of health care professionals or a self-help group such as AA, NA, SA, OA or others.
Gratitude for blessings or bestowing a blessing require what I think of as humility which implies an acknowledgment of grace which requires empathy which demands forgiveness and sharing.
On this day, I will be grateful for all the blessings I have received and bestow the wish for blessings for all others. When Jesus suggested whatever, you do to the least of them you do to me, I think he was saying you are blessed and must share those blessings.
Because no one is deserving all are deserving.
Written November 15, 2018
The word blessing originates from Latin and Greeks words which can be translated as “to speak well of or to praise”. The Latin and Greek words benedicere and eulogein were used to translate the “Hebrew word brk in Scripture which referred to bending the knee, worship praise …” (etymonline.com)
The term today is usually used to indicate that one wants someone to be happy, to have good luck or to prosper in some way. Thus, one might say, “Bless those have lost loved one and homes in the California fires.” or one might say, “Bless those who are grieving the loss of loved ones in one of the mass shootings.” One might also say, as I often do, “Bless X who is living with a chronic illness such as an addition to power. sex, alcohol, or other drugs.” I also might say that I am blessed. Today after reading a text note from a homeless man on this cold, wintery day, I was acutely aware that I have been blessed today with warm home, food, decent health, a job for which I have a passion, loving friends, and the ability to keep learning.
The word blessing for me also connotes Grace meaning that I am not deserving or more deserving than the homeless person who may have none of these essentials. I am not more deserving than the refugee fleeing oppression. I am not more deserving than the person in prison. Some may argue that indeed some are more deserving because they have not been convicted of any crime, did not rob someone at gunpoint, commit a mass shooting, rape a child or otherwise overtly harm someone in a criminal way. Some might argue that lawfully taking advantage of the weakness or limitations of others is how business is done which does not make one less deserving of having many “blessings” while others seemingly have very few. Grace however, says we are all equally deserving because none of us are deserving.
When I say bless X person as suggested by William Young in his novel The Shack regarding the person who has kidnapped and murdered a young child, I am acknowledging that many factors affect the ability of a person to respect the rights and needs of others. Many types of mental illness prevent one from making decisions which respect one’s own health, the health and even the life of another. The paradox is that a healthy/well-functioning mind can make decisions to engage in behavior which maintains and even improves the health of the mind. The non-healthy mind may, at times, with loving guidance, support and possibility medication be able to make decisions to change some of their health-related habits. Thus, there are those who are able to make a decision that they need help making decisions. They may then be able to avail themselves of the assistance of health care professionals or a self-help group such as AA, NA, SA, OA or others.
Gratitude for blessings or bestowing a blessing require what I think of as humility which implies an acknowledgment of grace which requires empathy which demands forgiveness and sharing.
On this day, I will be grateful for all the blessings I have received and bestow the wish for blessings for all others. When Jesus suggested whatever, you do to the least of them you do to me, I think he was saying you are blessed and must share those blessings.
Because no one is deserving all are deserving.
Written November 15, 2018
RSS Feed