May the Lord bless you and keep you…

Dear Friends,

During Ordinary Time in the church season, clergy are often invited to choose a blessing to offer to the congregation at the end of the service. 

The blessing that I choose is close to my heart. It’s referred to as The Aaronic Blessing or The Priestly Blessing because this was the blessing that God instructed Moses to give to Aaron and his sons, the first priests, to pronounce over his people. It comes from Numbers 6:24-26 

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift his face toward you and give you peace."

In 1979 an ancient copy of this prayer was found in a burial cave just outside of Jerusalem. The scroll was dated to 600 BC, making this one of the oldest portions of scripture ever discovered. 

The Aaronic blessing comes straight from God’s heart to ours, offering God’s protection, favor, and a peace that shines from God’s presence. 

Long before The Blessing song by Kari Jobe swept throughout the world during the Covid years, I first heard the words of The Aaronic Blessing on my wedding day on August 20, 1994. As my husband and I drove away from the after party at my parents’ house, my bridesmaids lined the driveway and serenaded us with God’s blessing.

I was so moved by the tender love from this ancient blessing, that I choose to sing this prayer to my three children each night before they fell asleep to a simple tune. 

When I offer the final blessing at church, I feel God’s tender kindness toward each of you, and I hope you know and feel God’s loving kindness, protection, favor, and peaceful presence shining upon you, too.

Blessings,

Rev. Tara