Now Thank We All Our God

Ireland--Pastoral Scene on the River Shannon

Irish Pastoral Scene on the River Shannon

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children’s children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

The first blessing is form Moses in the Book of Exodus. The second blessing is the traditional Irish blessing. Indeed, we have been blessed. God is faithful to God’s promises. Paul reminds us that we are sons and daughters of God. Jesus became human so that we might become divine. Like Mary, we ponder our blessings in our hearts.

Gratitude is our response to God’s faithfulness. I invite you to visit the web site of Brother David Steindl Rast. Gratitude is an essential component of spirituality http://www.gratefulness.org/p/simpleblessings.cfm.  Browse the site and explore all the dimensions of gratitude. Conclude by watching this video http://www.gratefulness.org/brotherdavid/a-good-day.htm.

Have a blessed day! Be sure to eat your collard greens and black eyed peas. Watch a few bowl games but remember that the Romans controlled people through food and circuses [bowl games].

Thank God for all your blessings. Thank others for the blessing they are to you. Make a resolution to live in gratitude in 2010. God loves you. You are held in infinite love and mercy. “Now thank we all  our God with hearts and hands and voices. . . .”

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