Today is the day traditionally ascribed to the birth of Shakespeare, also called the Bard, another word for poet, especially one connected to an oral tradition. He not only added at least 1,700 new words to the English language, but expanded our idea of what it means to be human. In his time, another book was written, expanding our idea of how we relate to God and how God relates to us: the King James Bible.
Both contributed to the flowering of the English language, coming up with new words to describe feelings we know we had but had no words for them. The word “lonely” was first used in a Shakespeare play and aptly describes how we can feel when separated from those we love or care for.
Lonely is also how we can feel when cut off from community, a group of people who are supposed to care for us. But lonely is not how we should feel in our relationship to God. Even in the most despairing of Psalms, we cry out to God recognizing that it is God who embraces us and holds us as a mother holds a child. In this Eastertide, we should feel lonely for we know that God is with us no matter what.
Prayer for the Day
Holding the promise of new life you give us through Easter,
We still at times wonder whether it Is sufficient for us;
Still we cry out to you, O God, for we despair
And feel the pain of loss of those we loved.
Embrace us and nurse us into hope and faith
So we reflect the Easter hope in our lives.
In the name of the One who is our Easter hope,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
How we need another soul to cling to.
- Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)
I and my bosom must debate awhile. And then I would no other company.
- Shakespeare, from Henry V, Act 4, Sc. 1, at Agincourt
Yet it was you who took me from the womb, you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me,
you have been my God. Be not far from me for trouble is near,
and there is no one to help.
Psalm 22: 9