“Where’s My Blessing?!”

For 42 days in this 40 day consecration that takes Sundays off, we have been asking with Saint Michael, "Who is like God?" There is no other God than the Lord, and may we bow to no other. Today, I will add another question: "Where's my blessing?!" My youngest was two-years old when we were invited as a family to a retreat on the Holy Spirit. Each of us was prayed over for the release of the gifts of the Spirit from baptism. My older daughter received the prayer, but my two-year old got left out. She walked up to the prayer leader and said, "Where's my blessing?!" The leader laughed and prayed over my persistent girl. I am sure this is why she's a very spiritually in-tune five-year old now! A few months after the retreat, I took that precious two-year old to daily Mass, where the priest announced a healing service for the feast day of Saint Blaise. The deacon crossed the candles over my throat and gave me the blessing. I did not realize he did not do this with my two-year old. "Where's my blessing?!" she said. We got back in line. The deacon looked sort of angry to see me again, but I told him my little girl needed a blessing too! "Where's my blessing?!" That persistent kid of mine reminds me that we have to fight for our blessings sometimes. Beg the Lord for your blessing. And then ask your spouse to bless you. Bless your kids. Bless the people you love and bless your enemies too. Bless them out loud and bless them in your prayers in your head. Blessings break the "curses" of people's harsh words. They break the "curses" that made you afraid to do the thing God wants. They break the curses that keep you from knowing who you really are in the Lord. As Jacob wrestled God for his blessing, be insistent today that you get the blessing God has coming to you. Today, I give you my blessing too. Saint Michael, through your intercession, we consecrate ourselves, our families, our nation and our Church. Holy Trinity, we beg you to bless us. St. Michael’s Lent Traditional 40 Day Consecration Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel from the Basilica Sanctuary of St. Michael in Gargano, Italy. Prayed daily from Aug.15 thru Sept.29 Oh, most noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies, valorous warrior of Almighty God, and zealous lover of His glory, terror of the rebellious angels, and love and delight of all the just, my beloved Archangel Saint Michael, desiring to be numbered among your devoted servants, I, today offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under your most powerful protection. I entreat you not to look at how little I, as your servant have to offer, being only a wretched sinner, but to gaze, rather, with favorable eye at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made, and remember that if from this day onward I am under your patronage, you must during all my life assist me, and procure for me the pardon of my many grievous offenses and sins, the grace to love with all my heart my God, my dear Savior Jesus, and my Sweet Mother Mary, and to obtain for me all the help necessary to arrive to my crown of glory. Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life. Come then, oh Glorious Prince and succor me in my last struggle, and with your powerful weapon cast far from me into the infernal abysses that prevaricator and proud angel that one day you prostrated in the celestial battle. Accompany me then to the throne of God to sing with you, Archangel Saint Michael and all the angels, praise, honour and glory to the One who reigns for all eternity. Amen.