“May the Lord bless you and keep you,
may his face shine upon you and give you peace.”
I have heard this benediction many times. Mostly at the end of a church service. When I was a teen, I loved hearing it because it meant it was time leave. Time for lunch. Time to go hang out with my friends. I had that benediction memorized.
I have heard this benediction at weddings. Right before the husband and wife are introduced… a kind blessing given to all those welcoming the bride and groom into their new life together.
I have heard this benediction at funerals. When my heart was aching… the last words of the service to bless those who have air in their lungs and grief in their hearts. Sometimes the pastors or priests will give this benediction at the graveside… I remember when we were leaving my grandfather’s side… it was cold, and the wind was icy against my cheeks, making my warm tears sting as they fell. It stung to hear the benediction, because I knew it was finished. It was time for the last goodbye.
When I was working in the Emergency Room, a man had come in via ambulance after suffering a traumatic fall. He was alive, but showed little signs of improvement with treatment. As we waited for the helicopter to arrive to transport him to a trauma center, everything appeared to me in slow motion. The flight team arrived in their blue suits just as family started to arrive. When the patient was packed up and ready, the crew wheeled him out of the room… but they stopped, so the pastor who had just barely made it in time could give a blessing.
Time stood still as he touched his old friend and parishioner's forehead… he said those words clear and confident… “May the Lord bless you and keep you … tears running down his cheeks… may His face shine upon you … anyone could hear a pin drop with each pause… and give you peace.” Everyone listened… everyone stopped for that quick moment… because life is precious and God was near. There was no denying it. The automatic doors burst open with the hit of a button… and the afternoon sun poured into the ER from the ambulance bay. In less than 24 hours that man would be with Jesus.
I have to say that now when I hear that benediction... I receive it whole heartedly. I receive it for myself, for my family, and pray it for all of those that I love.
I have heard this benediction at weddings. Right before the husband and wife are introduced… a kind blessing given to all those welcoming the bride and groom into their new life together.
I have heard this benediction at funerals. When my heart was aching… the last words of the service to bless those who have air in their lungs and grief in their hearts. Sometimes the pastors or priests will give this benediction at the graveside… I remember when we were leaving my grandfather’s side… it was cold, and the wind was icy against my cheeks, making my warm tears sting as they fell. It stung to hear the benediction, because I knew it was finished. It was time for the last goodbye.
When I was working in the Emergency Room, a man had come in via ambulance after suffering a traumatic fall. He was alive, but showed little signs of improvement with treatment. As we waited for the helicopter to arrive to transport him to a trauma center, everything appeared to me in slow motion. The flight team arrived in their blue suits just as family started to arrive. When the patient was packed up and ready, the crew wheeled him out of the room… but they stopped, so the pastor who had just barely made it in time could give a blessing.
Time stood still as he touched his old friend and parishioner's forehead… he said those words clear and confident… “May the Lord bless you and keep you … tears running down his cheeks… may His face shine upon you … anyone could hear a pin drop with each pause… and give you peace.” Everyone listened… everyone stopped for that quick moment… because life is precious and God was near. There was no denying it. The automatic doors burst open with the hit of a button… and the afternoon sun poured into the ER from the ambulance bay. In less than 24 hours that man would be with Jesus.