A newlywed couple came to see Father Grun because many people did not bless their marriage believing that it would not last long. So they hoped to hear words of encouragement and kindness; they wished that Father Grun would bless them.

On 3 April, 2016, at Masland Church, Sibu, the seminar was titled “Christians and Blessing; How to use blessing as a channel of caring and promise.” Father Grun encouraged participants to bless others often. We have all experienced hurt by what was said by others, thus, we wish to hear more words of blessing.

The seminar on 3 April 2016 at Masland Methodist Church, Sibu, was entitled “Christian and Blessings:
How to use blessings as a channel of caring and promise.” Having experienced being hurt by words said by others, we wish to hear more words of blessing. Father Grun encouraged participants to bless others often.

The Stories about Blessing in the OT
Father Grun said blessing is not just saying good and kind words but also bearing good fruits and protecting others. There are many passages about blessings in the Scripture. Different situations often have different rituals of blessing as well.

In Genesis, God created mankind and blessed them to multiply and be fruitful. This is the oldest blessing—to be fruitful.

Next, God blessed Abraham. God commanded Abraham to leave his homeland and said he would be a blessing to many. To be a blessing to others is a very beautiful calling. We don’t need a lot of power or talents to be a blessing to others. The only requirement is to leave boldly. What does this mean? In the early days, priests needed to leave behind the wrong impressions of what others thought of them, the old habits, the things they relied on; they had to leave behind the negative effects which bound them and start to reembrace the good image which God had initially endowed on them.

Father Grun said that as we bless others, we are blessed ourselves. Eg, a husband can say to his wife, “You are a blessing to our family.” We can thus use the blessing which God had for Abraham to bless ourselves, saying “I am a blessing.” We cannot depend on our own strength because none is perfect. We can only depend on God to use us as an instrument of blessing.

Stories of Blessing in the New Testament
Jesus began his life on earth with blessing. When Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth called her a blessed woman among all women and her child a blessing as well. This blessing is very important to women because they should know that what they are carrying would be a blessing.

On the eighth day, Jesus was brought to the temple and the aged Simeon saw Jesus. He blessed the child and his parents. He spoke kind words of blessing to the child which had hidden meanings of the child’s identity as the Saviour.

When Jesus started to preach, He showed how to bless a child. First, He held the child, (blessing is to hug the person and show your care.); Next, He put his hands on the head of the child (to signify his protection over the person, for instance blessing for journey mercies); Lastly, He spoke words of blessing to the child. Father Grun said, in the past German Catholic parents would draw a cross on their children and bless them before sending them off to school, hoping that this action would bring them a sense of security. Nowadays the kindergarten teachers told Father Grun that parents no longer lay hands on their children nor say words of blessing. Everyday what the children hear are reprimands. For example, “Can you be faster?”, “It is always you!” and so on. So when a child hears only negative words before going to school, he won’t open up in school and he becomes introvert.

Blessing and the Cross
According to Father Grun, when the early church taught about blessing, it was always associated with the cross. When a Christian family puts up a cross in the home, it symbolizes that the home is surrounded with the love of Christ. The craftsmen would carve a cross on the craftwork to show blessing brought by the cross. Even a writer would draw a cross on his book to show that the book would bring blessing to the readers. Some early Christians would draw a cross on their body as in a ritual. In fact, Martin Luther said he began his day with a cross.

Father Grun showed how to draw the sign of the cross as a ritual. It starts with the head. This shows that you want Jesus to purify your thoughts. Then you draw the cross on the lower abdomen, to wish that the love of Christ Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit would fill your body. After this you draw on the left shoulder to signify that you want the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit to fill your sub consciousness and your dreams. Then draw on your right shoulder, to show that you allow the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to fill your decisions and actions. With this ritual, we start our day with profound blessing. It helps us to know that in all things we are filled with the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Secondly, it also shows that we are protected by Jesus and nothing can harm us. Thirdly, we are free, nothing will enslave us.

Blessing in our life
Nowadays, birthdays are celebrated superficially. Often we just say, “Happy birthday to you!” and that is all. Father Grun has written on many aspects which can be used for making birthday blessings meaningful. Some parents would write Birthday wishes on cards and the birthday person would choose one and read it out. Sometimes, parents can read for the child. This kind of celebration is actually more meaningful for the person.

Father Grun also shared that the Germans have a habit of blessing the home and the building. When a person moves into a new home, the owner hopes that the new home would be blessed. Father Grun would let a child to lead to each room and he would ask what the place is used for and what the child’s wish is for that room. Once a boy of eight brought Father Grun to his bedroom and said that he hoped he would not have bad dreams.

Many religions would bless the food. We also say our grace before meals to bless the food for good health and also as an assurance of God’s mercy and kindness. Laughingly he said, in Germany, many people are concerned about the safety and nutrition of the food but to him blessing the food is more important than its content.

As for journey mercies, Father Grun said, he would make the sign of cross before driving. A young mother once told him that she would always worry when her children of three and four went with her on the car ride. She was scared that they would meet with an accident. Father Grun told her that, anyone could meet with an accident, so fear has no ground. However, we can use every opportunity to turn fear into an experience and invitation to receive the blessing of God.

Father Grun also met people who wanted him to bless certain objects. Blessing the items won’t make the objects have power but it does have two significances. To bless the object shows that God’s blessing is with us no matter where we are. God can speak to us through the objects as well. For example, when the priest blesses the ring, it is hoped that the blessing will restore any brokenness in the relationship. If it is a watch, it shows God’s blessing will be continuously there and we are always in his blessing.

However, we do not need to conduct blessing rites to bless everything to signify God’s blessing. Father Grun reminded that different persons have different needs. Thus, we must understand our own needs to make blessings more meaningful.

Bless Each New Day
Since blessing can help us to better relate with God, why don’t we start each new day with such blessing? When we bless, we can draw a cross on the forehead of our family members and children to let the protection and blessing of God stay with them throughout the day. We will let go of our worries about their journeys or studies in school. At work, we can bless our boss and co-workers, so that we have a happy working environment. In every undertaking let us be a blessing to others.

Reported by Jacq
Translated by Christina