Today’s Reflection
A note from the author: “Celtic Christians acknowledged God’s presence in every aspect of living—from waking to sleeping, from birth to death, from mundane chores to momentous celebrations. They perceived God’s creation as a holy gift. Gratitude characterized their way of being as they affirmed the source of life and gave thanks through blessings.”
Bless this day,
All plants and creatures,
All people near and far.
Bless the flowers
That sing praises with their beauty,
The grass
That cushions my step.
Bless those who stand
With loved ones who are sick,
With friends or family who are lost.
Bring healing, bring wholeness.
Bless the world,
Its war-torn places,
Its broken villages,
Its frightened children.
Bless our bodies,
Our hearts,
Our hands,
That we may be blessings
To all we meet.
—Beth A. Richardson, Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings (Upper Room Books, 2016)
Today’s Question
Where can you offer a blessing and act as a blessing in the world? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
All the earth honors the LORD; all the earth’s inhabitants stand in awe of him.
—Psalm 33:8 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
(From a prayer attributed to Saint Patrick)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Hear more from Beth A. Richardson in the Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me eCourse.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
3 Comments
Right in the middle there…”Bring healing, bring wholeness.” Father – each one here – has experienced Your healing and wholeness. And, if not currently, certainly again – those needs will arise. And we depend on Your faithfulness. For it is great. And we will wait in anticipation. You know the wounds…physical, emotional, deep, some borne so long ago and others fresh…we submit them to Your care, Your perfect care in Your perfect timing. And until then, continue to provide us opportunities to be a blessing to others. Help us to see beyond ourselves – to the longing in another. And to sit with them, to support them, to be Christ to them. Father – thank You for others who have done this for us – bless them as they continually look to bless others.
I can offer a blessing for those here, their steadfastness in commenting as well as their steadfastness in sharing their life narratives. I am blessed by their examples of faith during times of joy as well as times of need and pain. I am blessed by their sage words of advice on furthering my faith as well as my own personal narrative. I hope to be a blessing to others by being open to God’s leading and by being a beacon of His love.
Prayers for Jill and her continued side effects, may she and Larry be able to continue to enjoy golf and time spent togther.
Prayers for Robert and his family as they are separated physically but not in their hearts.
Prayers for Ally and David and their continued recoveries.
Prayers for April and her words that draw vivid pictures of the God”s creation and her delight in it,
Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR one and all
Try to do it right here at home. I’m probably not good at it or the intended recipient doesn’t get it. Email posts and messages are next, then text,Face Time, and person to person. Despite some foreign language
ability, I’m not an outgoing person.
Thankful for AC on hot humid days, wonderful meals, any progress on models, and interesting videos, movies, an dramas streamlining on the internet. A very helpful and continuing Bible study looking at God’s will. Hope to understand more, we ask for it to be done every time we say the Lord’s Prayer.
Thank you, Jill and Julie, for your posts, insight, and prayers. Amen and my you also be blessed. Thank You, Lord for Your ever presence and the blessings you send us.r
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