Readers wanted!

Dear Friends, 

Have you noticed that we are including Scripture readings in other languages?

The Cathedral wants to lift up the global nature of our community and our faith by having Bible readings in different languages at our 10.30am Sunday service.

South African comedian, Trevor Noah, wrote this in reflecting on a famous quote by Nelson Mandela: 

“Nelson Mandela once said, 'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.' He was so right. When you make the effort to speak someone else's language, even if it's just basic phrases here and there, you are saying to them, 'I understand that you have a culture and identity that exists beyond me. I see you as a human being” (from his book: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood).

On Easter Sunday, one of the readings was read in Portuguese. I noticed a parishioner sitting nearby, whose native language is Portuguese,  as she heard the words. Her eyes widened and she was moved to tears at the emotion of hearing scripture read in the language of her heart. The 5.30pm French Eucharist that recently began is another offering seeking to engage the multilingual nature of our community.

While God can transcend any barrier, there is an intimacy in our spirituality when we use the language of our hearts. There is a way in which we can share a part of ourselves with our faith community, just by sharing the sounds of our native languages, of being seen as fluent and at ease. 

We are putting together a list of people who can read different languages and are willing to be scheduled to read at the 10.30am service. Please email Donna Wong-Juliani (donna@thecathedral.ca) if you would like to be added to this list. Include your name and the languages you are comfortable reading. 

May the Spirit continue to bless us in our efforts to open our doors, our hearts and our minds ever wider, 

Your sister in Christ, 

Areeta+