Blessed of our Heavenly Father, dear and beloved children, peace be upon you all.<\/p>\n
I have previously expressed my thanks and gratitude to you, and I have expressed my joy in you, in your work, and in my presence among you. I repeat my thanks to the Almighty who has placed me, despite my unworthiness, as the father of your blessed family.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What I have sensed in you of zeal for work and commitment to the concerns of your church, in addition to your requests that you always direct to me, are all reasons that show me a burning thirst and great dreams that place me before two things; the first is to feel a greater responsibility; and the second is to say to you from the heart:<\/p>\n
God bless you<\/p>\n
The blessing that the priest or bishop addresses to you is not a greeting to be returned in kind. It is not an invitation to be thanked for kindness or goodwill; it is much more. The Lord Jesus blessed his disciples, and this blessing was the deepest of all. So when he ascended to heaven\u2014even though he was leaving them\u2014it was because he blessed them that they rejoiced greatly. Before multiplying the loaves and fish, Christ gave thanks, blessed, and broke them. When he walked after his resurrection with the disciples of Emmaus, the disciples could not imagine the Lord\u2019s resurrection or that he would speak to them, and their eyes were opened only when he broke the bread and blessed; they recognized him immediately. This blessing was the most special of all between the Lord and his disciples. And it is the same between him and us.<\/p>\n
This blessing is not only a gift of divine grace, nor is it an expression of one direction descending from heaven only. The blessing has two movements, the first descending and the second ascending. Because it is a divine gift bestowed upon elevated human work. The blessing is the gift of heaven\u2019s approval of good human action. It is the price of divine approval of human effort expended.<\/p>\n
Who blesses? God the Father is the one who blesses, and the Father blesses as the transmitter of divine blessing. Blessing is the most precious gift of the Father to his children in return for the complete gift of the children, as they offer their whole lives to God, the Father of blessings.<\/p>\n
The blessing carries the secret of life and the sign of approval; therefore, it is the bond of unity and the bond of ecclesial communion. The blessing in the hands of the priest is therefore much more than a wish or a prayer. It is the blessing of divine approval for the human position of the worker and the servant. Therefore, it is not just words, but a saying that takes effect immediately - by the grace of the Lord.<\/p>\n
We receive the blessing in the Church within the divine mysteries as in the Divine Liturgy. Our rituals are filled with the movement of blessing: \u201cPeace be upon you all.\u201d The mysteries by definition are a source of blessings. When a priest visits us, or enters our homes to read and interpret the Gospel to us, he brings us the blessing. We do not shake hands with the priest as a friend, but rather we kiss his right hand that blesses. We kiss the holy things, the icons, and everything that blesses us, as well as the hand to which the Church has given the authority to bless.<\/p>\n
Everything, every will, every instrument, every person conveys to us the divine blessing, and the father-bishop, who raises his hand in fervent prayer to bless, receives great honor because of the sublime divine blessing he asks for us.<\/p>\n
The feelings of gratitude that have filled my heart these days while I am among you, prompt me to pray fervently that our good God may give you all the strength and grace to serve His glory in every person. From my heart rises the cry of a father towards his working and serving children:<\/p>\n
\u201cHis blessing and mercy be upon you by His divine grace at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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