< <  

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

  > >



View Readings
Similar Reflections

fighting for a blessing

“I will not let you go until you bless me.” —Genesis 32:27

Jacob certainly understood the importance of a blessing. He wrestled an angel all night until he got his blessing (Gn 32:25ff). Jacob told the angel: “I will not let you go until you bless me” (Gn 32:27). Earlier, he connived and masqueraded to get his father Isaac’s special blessing (Gn 27:4-40).

It’s not unusual to see people leave Mass right after receiving Holy Communion. These folks unfortunately miss out on receiving the priest’s blessing at the end of Mass. If they understood the power of a blessing, they would wrestle for the privilege of receiving a blessing (Gn 32:25), rather than wrestling other parishioners for the chance of beating the parking lot traffic after Mass.

Many people think that blessings are prayers for good things to happen. No, blessings are not prayers from us to God, but blessings are from God to and through us. The blessings at the end of Mass and in the other Sacraments have the potential to re-create the world.

When we treat a blessing as nothing important, it’s not a neutral choice. Biblically, the opposite of a blessing is a curse. A curse may enter in if a blessing is relinquished (see Dt 27:12—28:68). Therefore, it’s very important to be like Jacob and seek blessing. God the Father desires to overwhelm us with blessings (Dt 28:2). Do we in turn desire to let God overwhelm us?

Prayer:  “May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him!” (Ps 67:8)

Promise:  Jesus “cured every sickness and disease.” —Mt 9:35

Praise:  For years, Pete blessed his children nightly while putting them to bed. Each of them has remained faithful to the Catholic Church as an adult.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Home Based Communities: We offer two retreats to prepare participants to form and lead a community of Catholics—July 24-27 and July 27-30. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for details.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 25, 2024"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.