Listen

The Lord spoke to Moses: Tell Aaron and his sons: You will bless the Israelites as follows. Say to them:

The Lord bless you and protect you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.

They will place my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Numbers 6:22-27

Think

Think about someone who is really important to you, perhaps a parent, sibling, or friend. What was the last thing that you said to them? Was it encouraging and uplifting? Were you maybe a bit cranky and a bit short with them? Did you ignore them? Did you tell them that you love them? What were their last words spoken to you?

Our words can really be blessings for people, especially the people who are closest to us. But they can be stumbling blocks for them as well. Perhaps you have someone in your life whom you know you can always go to hear something to make you feel better. Perhaps you know someone whom you would not go to in a million years when you are hurting, because they say rather unkind things. How do people, all people, see you and your words?

Take time to think about what kind of a blessing you want people to hear from you. You may even develop a little saying that you use when saying goodbye.

Andrew Kellner

Pray

God, please grant me the grace to speak words of blessing to those I meet today and everyday. Amen.

Go

God sends you out in the world to be God’s love for all.