AND NOW YOU KNOW

At the end of Mass, the priest raises his hand and says something very specific: “May Almighty God bless you…” He never says, “I bless you.”

That wording is not politeness. It is theology. A priest does not possess blessing as a personal power. He is not the source of grace. Even when he acts in the person of Christ during the Mass, he remains a servant, not the origin of divine action. Every blessing comes from God alone.

By saying “May Almighty God bless you,” the priest makes something clear: He is calling down God’s blessing, not giving his own. He stands as a mediator, pointing beyond himself to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This protects the Church from confusion. The priest is not a spiritual magician, nor is he greater than the people he serves. His authority is borrowed, exercised in obedience, and always directed upward to God.

There is also humility in this formula. It reminds both priest and people that grace is never controlled or owned. It is always received. The blessing is not automatic; it is an invitation for God to act in the lives of those who are open.

And for the faithful, this moment carries responsibility. When the priest says “May Almighty God bless you,” you are being sent under God’s authority, not the priest’s personality. What you receive is not a kind wish, it is divine commissioning.

So the next time you hear those words, listen carefully.

The priest is stepping aside so that God Himself may step forward. (Catholic Dailies)