Pierre Pradervand in his wonderful book, The Gentle Art of Blessing, described blessings in these simple but eloquent terms:
"To bless means to wish unconditionally, and from the deepest chamber of your heart, unrestricted good for others and events; It means to hallow, to hold in reverence. To bless is to invoke divine care upon, to speak or think gratefully for, or to confer happiness upon.
We ourselves are never the bestowers, but simply the joyful witnesses of life's abundance.”
The concept of blessing is the one universal action that is recognized, believed and practiced by all the world’s religions and people, through the common invocation of a Supreme God. It constitutes a single thread that binds the three major religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam through the common origin of the Prophet Abraham. Act3:25 reflects a version of this theme:
"You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers,
saying to Abraham;`In your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'"
So too, in the other major Religious civilizations, Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as the myriad of Minor religions, the act of offering blessings in the name of the Supreme Gods forms a fundamental part of their belief structure.
The verb 'to bless' means to treat as holy, to honor someone or something for its
Own self. It is an expression of love and respect and gratitude and honor to the entity and by extension, to ask God to shower his benefits. It should be no surprise to know that irrespective of your religious or cultural background a blessing is universally offered and accepted and is the one singular act that could serve as a platform for understanding and unity among all peoples.
Blessings take on all kinds of forms in peoples’ hearts, depending on the individual’s upbringing, experience and environment. It is essential to recognize that extending a blessing to others must be a random act of kindness inspired by an impulse from within, and offered unconditionally without expectation of reward or gain. Any other way does not constitute a blessing.
For as long as I can recall, a blessing has always carried a sacred and solemn meaning.
Growing up in a family tradition that laid emphasis on a Father’s blessing, I have cherished the times that I received his blessings, as he did, receiving them from his father, and as I hope, my own children will receive from me.
One of the greatest teachings of Jesus Christ was based on the subject of Blessing, when he addressed the multitude on the Eight Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount, in which he spelled out in great detail God's expectations in Matthew 5 : 3-10:
saying to Abraham;`In your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'"
So too, in the other major Religious civilizations, Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as the myriad of Minor religions, the act of offering blessings in the name of the Supreme Gods forms a fundamental part of their belief structure.
The verb 'to bless' means to treat as holy, to honor someone or something for its
Own self. It is an expression of love and respect and gratitude and honor to the entity and by extension, to ask God to shower his benefits. It should be no surprise to know that irrespective of your religious or cultural background a blessing is universally offered and accepted and is the one singular act that could serve as a platform for understanding and unity among all peoples.
Blessings take on all kinds of forms in peoples’ hearts, depending on the individual’s upbringing, experience and environment. It is essential to recognize that extending a blessing to others must be a random act of kindness inspired by an impulse from within, and offered unconditionally without expectation of reward or gain. Any other way does not constitute a blessing.
For as long as I can recall, a blessing has always carried a sacred and solemn meaning.
Growing up in a family tradition that laid emphasis on a Father’s blessing, I have cherished the times that I received his blessings, as he did, receiving them from his father, and as I hope, my own children will receive from me.
One of the greatest teachings of Jesus Christ was based on the subject of Blessing, when he addressed the multitude on the Eight Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount, in which he spelled out in great detail God's expectations in Matthew 5 : 3-10:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
< >
< >
Prayers go up, and Blessings come down.
…..Yiddish Proverb
Every burden is a Blessing.
Every burden is a Blessing.
……Walt Kelly
When I started counting my Blessings,
My whole life turned around.
When I started counting my Blessings,
My whole life turned around.
…..Willie Nelson
What seems to us as bitter trials, are often Blessings in disguise.
What seems to us as bitter trials, are often Blessings in disguise.
….Oscar Wilde
There is no disaster that can’t become a Blessing;
And no Blessing that can’t become a disaster.
There is no disaster that can’t become a Blessing;
And no Blessing that can’t become a disaster.
……Richard Bach
Men are slower to recognize Blessings than evils.
Men are slower to recognize Blessings than evils.
…..Titus Livy
We should certainly count our Blessings;
But we should also make our Blessings count.
We should certainly count our Blessings;
But we should also make our Blessings count.
…..Neil A. Maxwell
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment