Author: alwaysbridging

Religious Language

Our daughter Carolina is off to Australia! On Saturday we met midday near the airport.

As usual she got me thinking when she asked, “Can I share a thought about your blog?”

With some trepidation, I answered, “Yes?”

“I know it’s Lent and all. But I thought you wanted to increase your readership. The language you’ve used so far could limit who’s interested. Religious language can be polarizing.”

Of course, she has a point. And, after all, my desire is to welcome and build bridges, not separate by building walls.

Then again, during this first week I recognize that this round of daily posts for me is not about the wide world of potential audience members out there. Instead I notice how my heart warms when a guest author posts. I perk up. I am curious. I delight. Lent 2024 is about relationships. About providing a platform. And seeing what I can do to make this smooth and warm and maybe even delightful for them too.

My hope is that my use of religious language can also be live love language, especially for those I relate with directly.

I was thrilled yesterday to watch this short video about our upcoming pilgrimage. For one thing the five cities on the itinerary were listed succinctly: Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and Memphis. I can pray for these cities and for The Rev Canon Carla Robinson (she narrates the video) as we prepare to travel together.

I felt proud to have already registered because I bet the trip will fill in a hot second now that this promotion is circulating on YouTube.

Bridges to Morning Prayer

I am not liturgical by birth. No “cradle Episcopalian” here. While one could say the Presbyterian services of my childhood were “works of the people,” one definition of liturgies, we didn’t rely on the ancient scripts of the Book of Common Prayer.

Thus I am repeatedly surprised, even delighted, as I lean increasingly into these centuries-old forms from our ancestors.

I’ve decided to read Morning Prayer for these 40 days of Lent, with God’s help. Please God.

And assistance is showing up. First I remembered the audio version that Father Steve introduced me to years ago. Then I listened to it while commuting to work. Now I can listen while I stretch. Next I found pre-made ribbon bookmarks online (nine sets for only $11!). They help me flip pages after marking the various scriptures. And now Mother Linzi has invited us to join her via Zoom to pray and worship on the weekdays.

Prayers answered. Options abound. No excuses.

This morning we read Morning Prayer and afterwards enjoyed oatmeal breakfast together. I love these peeps to the moon and back.

Again, I am imagining a season of posting brief, daily stories. Again, I have invited people of color to join me.

Frankly, I feel hesitant, in part because I wonder what I can possibly share that might compare with last year when I was in the Holy Land. That’s when poet and fellow pilgrim, Seyi, joined me here as a guest author.

But you know how God can be. When I was hemming and hawing, another friend said she might write too and I saw some of your comments that I’d missed. This was the encouraging fuel I needed.

Ok God, I’m in, with your help. We’ll see what happens.