Blessing Others

Recently, I read Sacred Fire by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. It was spiritual reading, so I read it slowly, staying with ideas that moved or inspired me, and praying about them as I applied them to my lived experience. I was struck by his insights into the life of a disciple of Christ.

One topic that especially struck me was that of blessing others. I was so inspired by this section that I chose it as the theme of a prayer group that I co-lead, and we reflected on it together. There are two connections that people usually make to the idea of giving a blessing. First, we literally say it when someone sneezes. Second, we think of a priest or maybe a parent making the sign of the cross over someone.

But Fr Rolheiser describes how anyone can give a blessing. There are three ways to do that: seeing people, speaking well of them, and giving away some of our life to others. It's easy to see people but not really see them. Maybe we're busy or otherwise self-involved. Or we could have some idea about who they are already, so we don't see what doesn't sync up with that. Both happens to me! I try to stay open to who people are, though, and to appreciate them as they are: to really see them, or at least to be willing to. It's also important for everyone to hear that they are loved and accepted, that that is communicated to them. It may not be with words. Often, our attitudes and body language express more than we do verbally. Reflection on this aspect of blessing made me evaluate what my attitudes and body language say to others.

The last aspect is to give of ourselves for others. This can take a lot of forms, depending on the circumstances. It can mean sharing more freely of our time or energy, so that we can't put them into another outlet. Someone could be more open and personal with others, more vulnerable. Often, it requires going out of our comfort zones to be there for someone, focusing more on giving than our own preferences. It always means giving something we'd rather keep, but that will be of great help to someone. It's a personal dying that gives life for others.

This is far from easy! When I do it, it can be very trying. It literally takes something out of me. But it's always positive to see how my actions have benefited others! And it inspires me to think of Jesus on the cross, offering everything he could (humanly) give: his very life. He gave freely and lovingly, with great gentleness. That's the kind of love I've received from Him, and that I'd like to give.