Liturgical Moment of the Week: The Blessing

By Fr. Brian+

It has been a blessing for me to be with you these past 2 years and three months. So it’s appropriate that my last official act at Grace Church will be to bless you.

August 17 I will function as celebrant and the last part in the service is for the celebrant to bless the people.

I anticipate that day with joy and trembling. Trembling: because I’m concerned I may not get the words out of my mouth. Joy: because whatever does come out of my mouth will be laced with love. 

The blessing the celebrant gives at the end of the service, in my opinion, ought to be heartfelt, rather than liturgical laissez-faire. It’s a challenge though because the service is over and everyone wants to go home. Including me!

“Don’t rush it, Brian,” I hear my heart say.

What I have found is when I conclude the post-communion prayer and then pause and gather myself, the forthcoming blessing is more meaningful, from deep within, rather than saying words I have memorized.

The key for me in that moment is to look at you. See individual faces. Recognize you not as a congregation but as a group of Jesus friends. Ready to go through the red doors back into the world of chaos and questions.

You need a blessing to hold up in life. It is my aim this Sunday and next Sunday to give you a blessing that will empower you to be the person the Lord wants you to be.

So if I pause this Sunday or next, it’s not because I’ve forgotten what to do. It’s because I’m looking at you - each one of you - taking in the sight of people for whom I care. 

I’ll take that moment to reflect on my two years here, to remember all the things - our meals together, our prayers together, our tears together, the laughter - and to ask God to give you every spiritual blessing he has for you.