"May Almighty God Bless You" : A Catholic Reflection

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for February 13, 2022

"MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS YOU"

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night." –Psalm 1:1-2, RSV-CE

The Lord says: "I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life" (Dt 30:19). The Lord wants to give us a life of blessedness. In fact, He intends to "overwhelm" us with blessings in the city and the country, while going in and coming out, in every way (Dt 28:2ff). Yet we must choose the life of blessing.

We do this by trusting in the Lord rather than in ourselves or others (Jer 17:5, 7). We trust in the Lord by:

choosing to be poor in some way (Lk 6:20), to live below our means instead of above our means. Because we tend to depend on material things, voluntary poverty is a perfect environment to choose to trust in God rather than ourselves.
choosing to be hungry (Lk 6:20), that is, choosing not to live for maximum pleasure but for maximum holiness. The journey to holiness requires constant trust in God.
choosing to weep for our sins (Lk 6:21). If we don't trust someone, we are probably not that sorry about offending them. Sorrow for sins implies trust in God.
choosing to live for the Lord so boldly, radically, and totally that we deserve to be persecuted (Lk 6:22). This is a great act of trust.

A life of blessing is to choose to trust in God deeply. Choose blessing or you will be cursed (Dt 30:19). "May almighty God bless you."

PRAYER:	Father, bless me and make me a blessing to all who know me (see Gn 12:2-3).
PROMISE:	"But as it is, Christ is now raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." –1 Cor 15:20
PRAISE:	Praise the risen Jesus, "Author of life" (Acts 3:15).

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College

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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for February 13, 2022