One of the last actions of the Mass is for the priest to give the people the Final Blessing. We have been fed at both the Table of the Word and the Table of the Eucharist. We are now asking for God’s generous favor to be bestowed upon us as we go out into the world. The word blessing is also used here in the sense of consecrating. We are asking God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to make us holy in our daily thoughts and actions. We make the Sign of the Cross as we pray for this blessing, a sign that we are calling upon the Trinity for help.
The blessing asks that God will be with us as we go out into the world to live a life of holiness. Remember that holiness is not mere piety. All are called to holiness, no matter what their vocation or station in life, old and young, rich and poor, men and women. We are called to become less selfish and to put others’ needs ahead of our own. We may be born 100% selfish (think about a baby); our life’s journey is to see how close to 100% selfless we can become.
Here are some reflection questions from my book, Participation of the Heart:
What does it mean to you to lead a holy life?
In what areas of your life do you need the blessing of God? In what areas can you be a blessing to another person?
Think of a specific way to be a blessing to someone this week.
There is an option for a longer blessing to be given at the end of Easter Masses. It has three parts before ending with the usual blessing. Here are some reflection ideas on the Easter Blessing prayers.
1. May God, who by the Resurrection of his Only Begotten Son was pleased to confer on you the gift of redemption and of adoption, give you gladness by his blessing. Amen.
How have you received the gift of redemption? How have you received the gift of adoption? How have you received the gift of gladness? How do your answers relate to daily life?
2. May he, by whose redeeming work you have received the gift of everlasting freedom, make you heirs to an eternal inheritance. Amen.
How have you received the gift of everlasting freedom? How is freedom manifest itself in your daily life?
3. And may you, who have already risen with Christ in Baptism through faith, by living in a right manner on this earth, be united with him in the homeland of heaven. Amen.
What does it mean to you to live in right manner – try to be specific concerning daily life examples.
