are we blessings or are we curses to others?
Pilgrimages to Holy Sites, obtaining indulgences, living piously, all of these are good things. But in the end, it is the small things that count the most. How do we treat our neighbours?
Over the last few years I have noticed one thing that every time it happens, still astonishes me. When I pay for my groceries, I have gotten into the habit of wishing the teller “to have a blessed weekend” or a “blessed day”. And every single time, they will look up as if they only now notice me for the first time. And they smile. It does not matter what others believe, but they can recognise a blessing when they receive it.
How can we be a blessing to others? Number one: we can pray for them. Most importantly we need to pray for the people we do not like. Why? Because Jesus told us to pray for our enemies in Scripture. And we will notice that when we pray daily for the people that we do not like, that we will develop a better understanding of what their struggles are. If we do not know what to pray for, we can simply pray for their well-being, for their health, that they have a roof over their head and food on the table. That they have family and friends and feel loved.
