WHAT IS RELIGIOUS? WHAT IS SACRED?

Recently, I had a lovely phone conversation with a woman interested in buying some of our children’s Christmas Cards. After she looked at the assortment on the Soup Kitchen website, she asked if we didn’t have some that were religious. I pointed out to her the many that I thought were religious: a beautiful angel announcing the good news that Jesus was born; a great star of hope celebrating the Magi and the prayer that we might shine with God’s love; and other card designs that urged peace and blessings of love. 

As we talked, I realized her priority was a realistic religious image—whereas, I was promoting children’s imagery with a strong religious message. The dear woman did buy a large number of the cards and I was grateful for the opportunity to think about what makes cards (or anything) religious? In my experience, there is a lot that is religious or sacred without a religious image. It is the sacred that truly reminds me of God’s overwhelming presence and love.

Author: Sister Nancyann Turner
Capuchin Soup Kitchen Rosa Parks Children Program Manager