Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Numbers 6:22-27: God’s Smile
![Gods-Smile[1]](https://thenoontimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/gods-smile1.jpg?w=300&h=225)
The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord upon you kindly and give you peace!
“The three lines of the blessing ask God to take care of his people, to reveal himself to them, and grant them peace. In Hebrew, the expression ‘let his face shine’ corresponds to our word ‘smile’. To ask the Lord to let his face shine upon us means to see God happy. God’s divine pleasure and contentment come because God is in relationship with us. Even though God does not need our companionship, God is happy to freely choose a relationship with us.
“The Hebrew word for ‘peace’ (shalom) includes not only a sense of serenity, but also happiness and prosperity. The peace that comes from God reaches into all areas of our life and leads us to experience the contentment that comes from living our life in God”. (Ehle and Ralph 36)
As we begin this New Year let us pray.
Let us acknowledge God’s desire to be on relationship with God’s people. Amen.
Let us be open to God’s serenity and let us share God’s contentment with others. Amen.
Let us graciously accept God’s prosperity no matter how or when it comes upon us. Amen.
Let us recognize God’s contentment with us even when we feel separated from God and others. Amen.
Let us offer this blessing today and all days to our family, friends, neighbors, and even our enemies. Amen.
May we know God’s joy in us, feel God’s presence in us, and bring God’s smiling happiness to the dark places in the world. Amen.
Wishing all a peace-filled 2019!
Ehle, Mary A., and Margaret Nutting Ralph. Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word. 2013 Year C. Chicago, Illinois: Liturgy Training Publications, 2012. 36. Print.
For a posting on miracles, hope, and affirmation of God’s smiling presence in our lives, click on the image above or go to: http://blog.beliefnet.com/haveamagnificentday/2012/05/miracles-do-happen.html
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