The Power of Blessing

When a much-admired elder said, “Why don’t you bring your teaching gifts into the church?” I replied, “Oh no, I haven’t been to seminary.”

“Nonsense!” he said.  

This simple exchange was a turning point in my life. It was a simple word of blessing that planted a seed. More than a compliment, I felt seen beyond surface accomplishments and his retort started to crumble barriers that I carried within.

Elders seem to have a particular role in community to offer this kind of blessing. Perhaps it comes with perspective, spiritual practice, and space to observe as they step back from doing it themselves. His comment took root as I began teaching in the School for Christian Living, flourished doing retreats for Faith@Work, and now bears fruit with CALLINGS and our website, inwardoutward.org. Being a teacher was never my goal, but similar blessings have been like sun on my frozen soul.

In the gospel text for this Sunday, Simeon and Anna give their blessing to the baby Jesus, much to the amazement of his parents.* Both are simple folk, not church officials (ie they hadn’t been to seminary either). Simeon is guided by the Holy Spirit to come to the Temple as Jesus is being presented there; Anna lives there as an 84-year-old widow. Both bear witness to the special gifts that Jesus would bring to his people including the word that it would pierce his mother’s heart.

Elizabeth O’Connor called this being a patron of gifts. It’s something we can all cultivate. First, by noticing and naming the gifts that we see in others. Then by offering support as people begin to exercise those gifts. And finally, by knowing that we are literally doing the work of the spirit in community when we are generous with our praise and thanksgiving for the gifts that nourish our life together. You don’t have to be an elder to do that.