blessings

[anti_nietzsche]

What is a blessing, really?

When my pastor blesses me, what should I expect from it?

Comments

[slyfoot]

I think it all depends on who hears the blessing, and how the recipient feels about it.

But I don't really know.

ETA: It can be a confusing question because there's more than one meaning of the word, but for the sake of this post, I am treating the word in the sense of verbally 'giving' a blessing, rather than 'receiving' a blessing, or 'being' a blessing, or some other variation. And, in that sense, I guess it is just like wishing someone well. Sometimes it is done in a religious context, but not always.

[log_junkie]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this:

2626 Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God's gift and man's acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer of blessing is man's response to God's gifts: because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing.

2627 Two fundamental forms express this movement: our prayer ascends in the Holy Spirit through Christ to the Father - we bless him for having blessed us; it implores the grace of the Holy Spirit that descends through Christ from the Father - he blesses us.

[rogueblack]

It amazes me how a source that aptly explains the importance and truth of a Blessing can be completely ignored by people who insist on continuing to comment "I dunno, I figured it was just a way to say g'day."

Your answer is the answer to the post.

[log_junkie]

Not everyone here is Catholic, and I'm willing to bet some don't even know the CCC exists. That's why we share it :o)

[rogueblack]

My point is that you share it, others ignore it.

But you don't need to be Catholic to accept the correct answer to a question, even if it's coming from a Catholic source.

[ladytamli]

I don't expect anything from it. I just consider it a nice gesture of well-wishing, like "Have a good day!" or "God be with you!" or something like that.

I suggest that if you want something from God, that you ask Him for it directly. :)

[xenaclone]

When your pastor blesses you, it's more than just words and the movement of air. When Jesus said, 'Peace be with you' to His disciples, something happened. Same goes for a priestly blessing. Now what exactly happens is a deep mystery, but the open-hearted recipient feels something.

[chaeri]

good question. i haven't really thought about it either. i guess i just assumed it was a more holy way of wishing someone a good day.