" May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 115:15 “God Bless You.” A common statement made between two individuals contains a deep mystery based on the beliefs of the individuals having the conversation. If someone sneezes, some might say Gesundheit (German or Yiddish word for health), but most will say Bless You or even God Bless You. Why? Why do we wish someone blessings with a simple sneeze? Tradition tells us that the heart stops or skips a beat when someone sneezes, and this phrase is used to express concern and good wishes for that individual. The phrase has been associated with many other traditions as well, but the addition of God became more relevant in the 6th century during the spread of the Bubonic Plague. This was intended to bring spiritual healing on the person if indeed the sneeze was a symptom of the plague. Even before that though, you can see it has biblical roots as stated here in Psalm 115:15.
Personally, I find myself flipping between Bless You and God Bless You. When I say, “Bless You” to someone I certainly intend for God to bless that individual, whether I’ve actually said it or not. This has me thinking though, without including God in the comment, is it assumed by the recipient? Has this statement become so commonplace that we hear God Bless You, even though the full phrase isn’t stated?
Think about it. What does bless mean in this context? To protect or guard from evil or malcontent. If it isn’t God who is blessing the individual than who is? Can a man bless himself? Maybe it’s just a simple way of saying – “Hope somebody blesses you, don’t know who, but I hope someone does.” I don’t believe that people are so callous as to throw out such a random statement. I believe people truly are hoping for the sneezing individual to be blessed with healing from what might ail them. If this is the case, and let’s assume it is, than who can heal someone with just a simple word. For man to heal someone traditionally requires some form of medicine. I propose that the only one capable of healing from a simple statement or use of a word is the Lord Jehovah. Hence the origin of the statement God Bless You. It wasn’t a random statement but a small prayer over those in need of healing.
So where do you stand? Which phrase do you commonly use when someone sneezes? Do you even think about it? Hopefully you will from here forward. Offering a blessing to someone, “Be Blessed”, “Bless You”, “God Bless You”, “Blessings on You and Yours” draws God into the picture with or without intention. I suggest you make it a part of your vocabulary and use it throughout the day as appropriate. I certainly will. Be Blessed my friends.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com
Personally, I find myself flipping between Bless You and God Bless You. When I say, “Bless You” to someone I certainly intend for God to bless that individual, whether I’ve actually said it or not. This has me thinking though, without including God in the comment, is it assumed by the recipient? Has this statement become so commonplace that we hear God Bless You, even though the full phrase isn’t stated?
Think about it. What does bless mean in this context? To protect or guard from evil or malcontent. If it isn’t God who is blessing the individual than who is? Can a man bless himself? Maybe it’s just a simple way of saying – “Hope somebody blesses you, don’t know who, but I hope someone does.” I don’t believe that people are so callous as to throw out such a random statement. I believe people truly are hoping for the sneezing individual to be blessed with healing from what might ail them. If this is the case, and let’s assume it is, than who can heal someone with just a simple word. For man to heal someone traditionally requires some form of medicine. I propose that the only one capable of healing from a simple statement or use of a word is the Lord Jehovah. Hence the origin of the statement God Bless You. It wasn’t a random statement but a small prayer over those in need of healing.
So where do you stand? Which phrase do you commonly use when someone sneezes? Do you even think about it? Hopefully you will from here forward. Offering a blessing to someone, “Be Blessed”, “Bless You”, “God Bless You”, “Blessings on You and Yours” draws God into the picture with or without intention. I suggest you make it a part of your vocabulary and use it throughout the day as appropriate. I certainly will. Be Blessed my friends.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com
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