Good afternoon, Internet. Today marks the last post of my series on Liturgy. I have a couple of new stuff under my sleeve, so I'll be back tomorrow with something new. Today I want to talk about the ending portion of the liturgy, the benediction.
"The Lord bless you and keep you." Recall again the words of Jesus in
the parable of the sheep and the goats: "Come, you who are blessed by my
father, inherit the kingdom." The blessing that God speaks to us in the
Benediction prepares us for that final summons. Throughout the Divine
Service, God is forming us in his likeness as he establishes in us a
deeper and more lasting faith toward him and a persistent and steadfast
love for one another.
"The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you." In their
reports of Jesus' Transfiguration, the evangelists tell us that Jesus
shone more brightly than the sun, prompting Peter to say, "Lord, it is
good for us to be here." In heaven we will have the same response
because it will be good--very good--to be in the presence of the Light
of the world. For the moment, we see only dimly, but then we will see
face to face. Still, it is good to be here even now, in this heaven on
earth that we call worship, for already here God showers us with his
grace.
"The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace." We
Christians are truly blessed in that God does not hide his face from us.
In all other religions there is ultimately doubt as to their gods'
attitudes toward them. How can it be otherwise, given that their gods
are the creation of their own imaginations? But ours is the creator of
heaven and earth. To be sure, he is a stern judge who holds the sinner
accountable. But in the person of his only Son, we see our Father's true
nature, his fatherly heart of love. That is the countenance that he
lifts up toward us in his holy Word and Sacraments as he reveals his
mercy and grace.
Where the Lord blesses and makes his face shine and lifts up his
gracious countenance on us, there is peace. Not the peace of this world,
but peace between God and his faithful people. We know that peace
because even now, in Word and Sacraments, we have Jesus and all his
benefits. And in heaven we will rest in his eternal peace.
Blessed Eastertide,
Manny Tovar
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