WEDNESDAY, July 29 (Mary and Martha of Bethany)

I've seen it scores of times. My children have done it  and all four of my grandchildren have. When it happens for the first time, everyone in the pews shares smiles more warmly than at the "peace." It is the first time a toddler shouts "Amen!" along with the congregation.

This simple Hebrew word means certainty, truthfulness, and faithfulness, the biblical dictionary says. We commonly translate it as "so be it."

My youngest grandchild said "Amen" for the first time when she was fourteen months old. It rolled out of her mouth effortlessly, to her surprise, and when she noticed everyone smiling in her direction, she said it again and again. When a child begins to say "Amen" so joyfully, I'm reminded that I, too, need to be more purposeful in saying this common affirmation.

Today's psalmist ends his psalm by proclaiming  this word twice, as if to emphasize his previous words with certain truth and faith. "May all the earth be filled with his glory" and may we all shout it with the enthusiasm of a toddler. Amen and Amen.

PRAY for the Diocese of Gwagwalada  (Province III, Nigeria)

Ps * 119:73-96; 2 Samuel 3:22-39;  Acts 16:16-24; Mark 6:47-56

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