Blessings

 Dear Friends

I have just concluded my latest retirement ministry, two months at St. George’s, Laguna Hills. It was filled with blessings, beyond the weekly priestly blessing I give at the end of each service.

I blessed water for the font at the request of the altar guild. I blessed the ashes of a member’s mother.  I blessed a blanket for the prayer shawl group. I blessed a bottle of water at a parishioner’s request. I blessed three elderly women visiting from Mexico after a service, once I figured out that was what they were asking me to do!

But the best blessing of all required no words or actions. And I did not give it. It was given to me.

Lucy, pictured above, showed up one Sunday. It was not for the Blessing of the Animals. She had been brought by her owner. I did not see or hear her until after the service. But as I came down the aisle during the closing hymn, there she was in the back pew. It was love at first sight!

Many years ago, after taking communion to a shut-in at a skilled nursing facility, I noticed a lady from some local church walking around giving random blessings to people. When she saw me, (I was wearing my collar) she asked if I would like a blessing. I said, “Sure”.

I guess the message is that we all can be giving and receiving blessings. And sometimes no words or actions are required.

Lucy’s smile was enough for me.

John