From the Psalter:
Who are they who fear the Lord?
he will teach them the way that they should choose.
They shall dwell in prosperity,
and their offspring shall inherit the land.
(From the Daily Office Lectionary – Psalm 25:11-12 (BCP Version) – October 20, 2014)
When my wife and I decided to join a pilgrimage group and spend several days in the Holy Land this summer several people who had been there before us said, “It will change the way your read Scripture.” That’s turned out to have been true. It also changed the way we read current news.
As I pondered that, I realized that every major life event affects the way we read Scripture, the way we interpret the news. Getting married did so. The births of our children did so. Ordination and ministry as a priest has done so. Every event is a learning experience which colors our view of the world.
Early yesterday morning our daughter-in-law gave birth to our first grandchild, a little girl who has been given the name Eirnín Marjory. Her first name is Irish Gaelic (pronounced “EHR-neen”) and means “knowing” or “experienced,” and also “iron” connoting strength of character. Her middle name was my later mother-in-law’s name.
We have yet to meet Eirnín (she and her parents live nearly half-way across the continent from us), but already her being a part of this world is changing the way I read Scripture. Words like “prosperity” and “offspring” have both a broader and a more immediate meaning.
Welcome to the world, little one! You’re sure to be a learning experience over and over again.
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Father Funston is the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Medina, Ohio.
you are going to turn into a mushy grandad aren’t you?
Nah, you know me better than that!