The Gifts
What does the word common mean? It is open land—for everyone to use. Boston Commons once permitted the grazing of cattle.
The purpose of Boston Commons included a place for public hangings—until 1817. Mary Dyer, an outspoken Quaker, refused to remain banished to Rhode Island. When she returned to Massachusetts she continued to voice her opinions.
On June 1, 1660, surrounded by the sound of drums, the authorities hung Mary from a giant elm tree. Three other Quakers also lost their lives—as well as some pirates, murderers and witches.
The huge elm that served as a gallows stood on the Commons until 1876 when a gale tore it down. At that time it stood over seventy-two feet high.
If we refer to someone as common we're relegating that person to an ignoble status or at best a mediocre or ordinary rung of the ladder. Nothing special.
But common has another meaning, one that involves universality.
Imagine a group of developmentally delayed individuals leading a Sunday morning service.
The word was common—what we had in common with one another. Some of the adults read and some had no language. We sang together and used our hands and arms to lift up prayers to God. We took communion from a young woman in a wheel chair—no language, spastic movements, yet you knew that this truly was what communion was all about.
These adults come to regular church services and in addition twice a month they have a special service.
At times the service seemed a bit chaotic—but it was imbued with a sense of joy. We all, in common, rejoiced—prayed, gave thanks, shared joys and concerns.
I once had a student who always said, "Never make assumptions or you'll miss the gifts."
The purpose of Boston Commons included a place for public hangings—until 1817. Mary Dyer, an outspoken Quaker, refused to remain banished to Rhode Island. When she returned to Massachusetts she continued to voice her opinions.
On June 1, 1660, surrounded by the sound of drums, the authorities hung Mary from a giant elm tree. Three other Quakers also lost their lives—as well as some pirates, murderers and witches.
The huge elm that served as a gallows stood on the Commons until 1876 when a gale tore it down. At that time it stood over seventy-two feet high.
If we refer to someone as common we're relegating that person to an ignoble status or at best a mediocre or ordinary rung of the ladder. Nothing special.
But common has another meaning, one that involves universality.
Imagine a group of developmentally delayed individuals leading a Sunday morning service.
The word was common—what we had in common with one another. Some of the adults read and some had no language. We sang together and used our hands and arms to lift up prayers to God. We took communion from a young woman in a wheel chair—no language, spastic movements, yet you knew that this truly was what communion was all about.
These adults come to regular church services and in addition twice a month they have a special service.
At times the service seemed a bit chaotic—but it was imbued with a sense of joy. We all, in common, rejoiced—prayed, gave thanks, shared joys and concerns.
I once had a student who always said, "Never make assumptions or you'll miss the gifts."
1 Comments:
I'm sorry we missed the service. Sunday Fellowship is one of the most spirit filled groups at church. Marcia
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