May the Grace and Countenance of God be upon you!

May the Grace and Countenance of God be upon you!

Any time we pray this blessing upon the forehead of another person we are repeating the very essence of what Jesus spoke when he prayed the priestly prayer from John.  “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.”  (Jn 17: 20 - 21).  

Whether you are a cleric or layperson, the words spoken are the very divine essence of Jesus to his Father and it is the grace of our baptism that extends God’s grace on all who believe

When we speak of sanctifying grace our intent is based upon the very essence of God alone and through the passion of Jesus our sins are forgiven and the grace you and I received is sanctifying for our souls.  So when we bless someone with these words we are sharing the gifts God gave us and asking for his mercy upon them as well.

Grace is invisible, but when shared becomes visible through our efforts to share Christ who gained freedom for all who believe and find the road to everlasting purity is possible for all of us.     

God’s Countenance is beyond the human mind’s conception of something we cannot see, but is nevertheless very real and surrounds the world in which we live.   To share in this attribute that is God alone we discover a vision that looks upon our questioning mind and finds a reality that always was there.  “Eight days after he said this, he took Peter, James, and John and went up to the mountain to pray.  While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.  And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.”  (Lk 9: 28 - 31).   The Transfiguration is not just a beautiful occurrence that presents the Glory of the risen Christ but is a prelude to our belief that comes alive on Easter morning and the Resurrection of Christ.  Here again, we see the very countenance of God on those who come to believe the truth of God’s plan to forgive us.  

Countenance is a visual expression that we find is God in all his glory.  It is extended to the persons we pray for, unseen, yet so real that the same effect the apostles saw through faith is imposed upon the receiver of the same prayer.  It is superficial in appearance and super sanctifying in grace.

The words of grace and countenance are not just grammacle expressions, they are a synopsis of God’s love for anyone seeking Truth and finding it in the Heart of Christ’s love for sinners.   After all, we who have experienced the forgiveness of Chist’s  love by shedding his Blood for us must also use that reality to repeat to others the reason for his sacrifice.  It is spelled MERCY.  

Ralph B. Hathaway