As we struggle with the many things that are happening in our world and perceive their effect on
us, how important it is to listen for the blessing. What can that mean for us? Henri Nouwen
believes that when we receive a blessing, it is God’s way of showing his special love for us, and
when we give a blessing, it is our way of showing our love for the person that is being blessed.
In our prayers we pray for others and ourselves. What we are sure of, is God’s love for us
because God is love. It also is true that where there is love, there is God. By love we mean God’s
unconditional love that sees the beauty and lovableness of God’s creation because we were
created out of love.
As we pray the prayers of the faithful, sometimes we can only think of what it wrong or out of
control in what is happening. We feel helpless in our ability to do something about it. In faith we
can believe that in all these situations we are sending our love and blessing. That love comes
with grace, energy, and power. We can reach the people and situations we are praying for. Our
prayer can also be the means of calling us to some further action with God’s grace, energy, and
power. Jesus received a blessing from his father. That unconditional love powered his life’s
work. Receiving God’s blessing as his disciples, we too can be and do great things for God.
• Do you believe that the most accurate statement about God is: “God is love”?
• Have you found a way of receiving God’s love for you each day?
• Do you send your blessing to the important people in your life?
O God, let the love you have for me motivate my blessing others.