Soon it will be time for the September "call-ups" in Major League Baseball. This is a time when rookies get to see if they have the skills for the "big-leagues".
In welcoming you to the St. Matthew pastoral blog ... that's what I wonder ... will I have the skills to play in the blog-leagues! We'll see?!
What I hope this blog becomes is a forum to examine our everyday lives through a theological and spiritual lens. That means that our everyday encounters, and, the questions arising from these encounters will be the "grist" for this blog.
I won't be able to get to the blog every day ... but, I hope to blog a thought or two, and/or respond once or twice a week.
Now, an initial thought ... one that came to me as I reflected on seeing a school bus Monday morning. What about prayer in schools?
First of all, I think we'll always have prayer in school ... especially when there is a math test :)
More seriously, perhaps this issue is mis-named. Perhaps it would be more accurate to ask what we think of "prescribed" prayer in schools? Do we really want a prescribed prayer in school? If so, who should write it? Should the principal? Or, the teacher? Or, a local clergy-person? If a clergy-person, of what faith tradition?
What if the principal, teacher, or clergy-person's faith is different from my child's? Should my child need to pray their prayer? For instance, what if the writer is a fine Roman Catholic, and, devoutly prays the rosary. Should a Lutheran child need to pray the rosary? What if the writer is a devoted Hindu? Should every child need to pray a Hindu prayer? I have kiddingly said that if I could write the prayer then I'd be happy!
We live in a land of religious freedom. We are a melting pot. Our diversity is part of what makes the USA great! In my opinion, having a prescribed prayer in school does not contribute to the notion of democracy.
So what should we do? I think it would be fine to have a time for the student to pause and pray, meditate, or simply be quiet. Perhaps, this "time-out" would set the tone for a calmer school day. But, what do I know ...
Your thoughts ...
