I grew up in church – and that can be taken literally, mind you. I am used to having all sorts of things and activities blessed. When someone moved to a new house, there would be a gathering to have it blessed. When someone bought a new car (or motorcycle), it would be blessed. I’ve never really heard of people having their gadgets blessed, though. Have you?
Well, if you’re the Rev. Canon David Parrott, “blessed gadgets” are nothing new. The minister of St. Lawrence Jewry church in London took the activity one step further by blessing a bunch of laptops and phones (smart phones, no less!) on Monday. He says that it is a symbolic gesture. The aim is to remind the people of his parish that “God’s grace can reach them in many ways,” technology being one of them.
There is a precedent for this, albeit with a different nature. There is a traditional ceremony called Plow Monday, which celebrates going back to work. In the old times, a symbolic plowing tool was blessed, as the communities mainly relied on farming as their means of livelihood. Today, the church is right smack in the middle of London’s financial district – not a plot of farmland is to be found anywhere near it. As a result, the minister thought of creating a twist in the ceremony.
I think that it’s a brilliant move. For those who like staying in touch with their faith and spirituality in today’s technology-filled life, it’s quite a relevant ceremony. What say you?
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