“…[You] blessed us with memory, reason, and skill….”
Book of Common Prayer, page 370
My work on the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music over the past two years brought me into new contact with this line of Eucharistic Prayer C.
A proposed authorized revision of Prayer C had been sent back to the SCLM from the last General Convention, asking us to look at several things, including this line.
A concern was raised that not all human beings have memory, reason, or skill; and if the Eucharistic Prayer defines those as critical identifiers of humanity, we are denying the full humanity of some people with disabilities. Other disability rights activists reached out to the SCLM to support the language as it was.
We ended up proposing the revision,
“…[You] blessed us with the capacity for memory, reason, and skill….”
As we approach Memorial Day, which has a very specific definition of memory, I always think of both of those who gave their lives in service of the nation; but also all the other definitions and experiences of memory. I think of my father-in-law, whose later years were complicated with dementia; I think of what I know of history, that influences so much of my worldview; I think of the anamnesis of the Eucharist–the remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus that unites us with him in the promise of eternal life.
In the Jewish tradition, the response to the death of a friend or relative is often, “May their memory be a blessing.”
May our memories be a blessing this weekend, and always.
2 comments on “Memory”
Not all humans have memory, reason, or skill? I find it odd that these would be considered “critical identifiers of humanity.” My dog bears these qualities — it is not a uniquely human trait. But even more so, I am amazed that there are individuals who feel the authority to judge that humans exist without these qualities. These qualities may be diminished in a particular individual, but are they ever truly gone? I am not surprised that some disability rights activists objected. Finally, is the prayer about human individuals, versus humanity overall? If every phrase in the prayer cannot be applied to every individual human, the prayer is no longer valid? The proposed modification to the prayer does not concern me — the identification of potential vs ability does in fact seem more apt. However, the reasoning identified seems weak and misleading.
I love the suggested revision. Thank you for your continuing inclusiveness.