The Practice of Presence

Yesterday I was approached by 5 youth, training to be summer camp leaders. They were seeking to “bless people” in the community and asked if I knew where they might be able to find people bless. It seemed an odd request, and I wasn’t sure what they were looking for.  As there were few bodies to bless here at the Cathedral on a weekday, I recommended they go to Third St. Stuff and talk with the owner who is quite involved in social justice and outreach projects in our neighborhood. Although they seemed satisfied with my suggestion, and quickly went on their way, their presence and desires to “bless” stayed with me throughout the day.

Often people ask me to pray for them, or their family members and loved ones (which I love because it continually invites me into prayer ). But, it is the rare occasion that someone comes up to me asking for a blessing. Certainly I give out blessings at the Wednesday 12:05 healing services or before a surgery, but these pre-prescribed instances of blessing are typically the only instances where I am present with another in prayer, laying on of hands, and blessing. These instances of blessing are so transformative though. As we open ourselves to the power of the Spirit through prayer and laying on of hands we allow ourselves to experience the realness of God in very tactile way, that is different and separate from the prayers we say as we sit alone in the silence of our minds. There is a very moving power that lies in the midst of our connections with others as we seek to connect to God through the ministry of presence.

Blessings are not simply a rite left to our clergy though. Anyone who can open themselves to the Spirit and be physically present to another has the ability to give a blessing. Which made these young person's call to go out into our community and bless those in need of God’s grace, love, and power so moving and powerful. Too often we forget and discount the needed ministry of presence. It is a ministry that many of us participate in without even realizing it. When we sit with a friend in the midst of despair, or call a family member who is feeling low; when we take a meal to co-worker suffering from illness, or lend an ear to a lonely stranger; even when we simply put our hand on anothers shoulder, or accompany another in the silence of despair we are practicing the ministry of presence. Jesus knew this as he said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20).

There is a real and powerful healing balm that comes with the ministry presence. Not only to those who seek comfort and healing, but also to those who offer it. When we share with others in the mystery of God’s grace and love through the ministry of presence we are able to experience the awe that is the power of the Spirit through our connection and interaction with others.