SEEKING GOD'S BLESSING - C: Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

First Reading: Num 6:22-27 (1 January 2022)

The priestly blessing (Num 6:24-26) is an old benediction that the Israelites were using for a long time. In fact, one of the oldest Hebrew inscriptions archaeologically recovered contains it. Gabriel Barkay and his team unearthed in 1979 two so-called “Silver Amulets” in an ancient burial cave. When unrolled, these artifacts feature the Aaronic priestly prayer that has the formula: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” This discovery can be dated to 700-650 BCE, long before the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BCE.

Along these lines, it can be surmised that the priestly blessing is something all Israelites had been valuing over time. Moreover, they did not limit its efficacy in their lifetimes but extend it even after their deaths, believing that God would continue to protect them in their journey in the afterlife. This conviction manifests that the contents of this ejaculation are quintessential to their very identity and longing for salvation. As the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church uses this text to be the first reading on the first day of the calendar year, it informs that Christians should likewise entrust both the living and the dead to God’s power, being the creator and giver of life in this world. It will thus be important to look at the message of this priestly blessing.

“The Lord bless you and keep you” (v. 24).

Key here is the combination of the Hebrew barak (“bless”) and shamar (“keep”). The former is normally dispensed by a father to a son before his death (e.g., Gen 27:27-29, 38; 49:1-28), implying humankind’s filial relationship with God. The latter is frequently encountered in the image of God as a shepherd in tending his flock Israel (Psa 121:7-8), rendering security to the object of shepherding. In sum, verse 24 only guarantees God’s perpetual care, sustenance, and protection to the one saying this prayer.

“The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you” (v. 25).

Shining upon and being gracious communicate God’s delight over a person regardless of his/her status, disposition, or affiliation. It signals God’s tender smile to the person he dearly cares for. This scenario is evident in his theophany in the desert during the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. Here, he allowed himself to be viewed by Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exo 33:11). Moses in turn showed himself to the people with his radiant face (34:29-35), indicative of the glory he beheld from God’s overwhelming presence and immense holiness.

“The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace” (v. 26).

This phrase solemnly asks God to always look after the concerns of his people, particularly by ensuring their shalom (“peace”). Shalom, however, is a Semitic word that is multifaceted as it can denote “prosperity and success” (Lev 26:6); “personal safety, welfare, state of health” (Gen 37:14); “peace ... as the opposite to war” (1 Sam 7:14), “peace in the private sense” (Jer 9:7); “friendliness” (Jer 16:5); or “deliverance, salvation” (Psa 85:9) (cf. HALOT). In short, shalom is a catchword for the collective dream of integral happiness both internally and externally.

As we stand at the threshold of 2022, let us entrust all our plans, decisions, and future to God’s providential care. May we work together in keeping his blessings alive in our hearts forever.

- Rex Fortes, CM