Converting our hurts into sources of blessings

As New Year ushers in, we reflect on blessings as proclaimed in the scriptures.  May even our hurts turn into blessings.

From the Hebrew Beraka, which means "to bend the knee in worship and praise", blessings become due to God rather than his gifts.  "We bless you, Lord God Almighty."  Rightly so, because we kneel in praise and honor to the Source of all gifts.

From the Greek "eulogein", which means "to speak well of" or "to praise", blessing becomes a social reality of recognizing persons as gifts.

Everything becomes a blessing, even hurts.  And we bless, we give what is due to others and to God.  We can convert hurts to blessings if we allow God to bless us so we can see how He would heal us.


Life is indeed a blessing!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more