Just one week ago, on Inauguration Day, a group assembled at the New Hampshire State House. It was not a time to protest but to be present for and with one another in a Silent Vigil of Hope and Concern. Those ten minutes of silence on the same morning that our President was taking the oath of office were reverent, respectful, and prayerful.
I have been thinking lately about the move from silence to speech. A text from the baptismal homily of the First Epistle of Peter is the focus of my devotional time: "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (I Peter 3:15f., NRSV). The Greek word that is translated "defense" is ἀπολογία (apologia). Always be ready to make an apology? I hear a parental echo, "Say you're sorry. Show some remorse and regret." This sounds like something that belongs in a prayer of confession. But apologia is the desire to make clear why you are taking a particular position or engaging in a particular action. It is speaking that clarifies one's belief. It is speech that follows the silence.
The late Eugene Wehrli, Professor of New Testament and President of Eden Seminary, taught me that actions without words are often ambiguous. How does the faith inform my action? Words are necessary. Preachers are important: "How will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14, KJV). Prophets must offer an apologia for their actions in order to be effectively understood and to more deeply encourage and engage others in their witness.
So beyond last week's silent vigil at the State House, I believe people of faith must find the words to account for the hope that is in them: Words to inspire others, to lift their eyes so that they might see all the way to the horizon, to catch a glimpse of heaven that transforms the troubles of earth, to see the Sovereign God, who is faithful--King of kings and Lord of lords. To make our apologia with gentleness and reverence, with courage and conviction, as people of great faith; this is our high and holy calling. This is what is required of us now.
The next time we gather at the State House, I hope we will bring words--perhaps a single word on a piece of brightly colored card stock. Just a single word written large for anyone who passes by to read. A word that communicates our deepest values . . . a word that is rooted in our baptismal identity . . . a word that clarifies our action . . . a word that may inspire someone else to hope, to imagine, to take a stand, to find their voice, and to act. What's the word you must speak today?
With gratitude for those who plan the silent vigils, pray the prayers, and find the words that change the world. Indeed, thank you God!
I have been thinking lately about the move from silence to speech. A text from the baptismal homily of the First Epistle of Peter is the focus of my devotional time: "Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (I Peter 3:15f., NRSV). The Greek word that is translated "defense" is ἀπολογία (apologia). Always be ready to make an apology? I hear a parental echo, "Say you're sorry. Show some remorse and regret." This sounds like something that belongs in a prayer of confession. But apologia is the desire to make clear why you are taking a particular position or engaging in a particular action. It is speaking that clarifies one's belief. It is speech that follows the silence.
The late Eugene Wehrli, Professor of New Testament and President of Eden Seminary, taught me that actions without words are often ambiguous. How does the faith inform my action? Words are necessary. Preachers are important: "How will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14, KJV). Prophets must offer an apologia for their actions in order to be effectively understood and to more deeply encourage and engage others in their witness.
So beyond last week's silent vigil at the State House, I believe people of faith must find the words to account for the hope that is in them: Words to inspire others, to lift their eyes so that they might see all the way to the horizon, to catch a glimpse of heaven that transforms the troubles of earth, to see the Sovereign God, who is faithful--King of kings and Lord of lords. To make our apologia with gentleness and reverence, with courage and conviction, as people of great faith; this is our high and holy calling. This is what is required of us now.
The next time we gather at the State House, I hope we will bring words--perhaps a single word on a piece of brightly colored card stock. Just a single word written large for anyone who passes by to read. A word that communicates our deepest values . . . a word that is rooted in our baptismal identity . . . a word that clarifies our action . . . a word that may inspire someone else to hope, to imagine, to take a stand, to find their voice, and to act. What's the word you must speak today?
With gratitude for those who plan the silent vigils, pray the prayers, and find the words that change the world. Indeed, thank you God!
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