Question of the Week - The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Many months ago, I wrote of a little Lenten practice inspired by the Jewish tradition of berakah. Many Jews make it a practice to offer at least one hundred berakah, or “prayers of blessing” each day, using words we hear echoed in our Eucharistic Prayer: “Blessed are you, Lord God.” Their prayers might be as simple as, “Blessed are you, Lord God, for the gift of a new day” or “Blessed are you, Lord God, for the gift of electricity and the lamps that provide me with light when evening falls.”
It would be easy to dismiss the year 2020 as a year that seemed somewhat short of a blessing. The pandemic changed and challenged us, upended daily life as we knew it, forced the cancellation of plans and celebrations, and took the lives of many of our loved ones. We look back and wonder, “Where was God in the midst of all of this?”
Perhaps, in answer to the question, we could spend this week offering our berakah, our “prayers of praise” for the blessings of 2020. Doing so might help us remember that God has been and is right here, blessing us, loving us, providing for us, and leading us on our way.
Thus, I will begin. “Blessed are you, Lord God, for extra time with my husband. Blessed are you, Lord God, for longer conversations with friends. Blessed are you, Lord God, for time to create, read, and watch good movies. Blessed are you, Lord God, for more time to pray. Blessed are you, Lord God, for long rides on sunny Sunday afternoons. Blessed are you, Lord God, for the gift of a neighbor who wiped down our door handles and stair rails every day. Blessed are you, Lord God, for meaningful work. Blessed are you, Lord God, for the gift of our health. Blessed are you, Lord God, for time to try new recipes and the chances to share our favorite creations with friends.”
As we face the new year of 2021, I pray upon you the beautiful words of today’s First Reading (see Numbers 6:22-27): “The LORD bless 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!”
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. Also, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.