Blessing Upon Blessing

As I looked out at the people from my place in the choir, I noticed each person, every person, and thought about their thoughts. All of them so different. What was it about this morning’s music, especially the Postlude, Highland Cathedral, that brought forth such emotion? Was it the lonely drone of the bagpipe? The power and magnificence of the organ? The way the two danced a glorious dance together? Maybe it was how the notes were prayed into life and communicated by the composer. This experience was surrounded by a tartan-clad sanctuary as we remembered our Scottish origins and worshiped with blessing and hope for the future. I observed many blessings this day; the music we shared and the words we prayed, the beauty of the flowers and expressions of loving kindness. When we bless one another with words of comfort and encouragement, God is there.

There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself, though it is always secretly there…The quiet eternal that dwells in our souls is silent and subtle; in the activity of blessing it emerges to embrace and nurture us…May we all receive blessing upon blessing. And may we realize our power to bless, heal, and renew one another. ~John O’Donohue