THE LEAD LIGHT: Happenings, April 14, 2026
Lead Article for Happenings
April 14, 2026
The Rev. Chip Whitacre, Deacon
Several years ago, while traveling in Japan, I read an article in one of the local English language newspapers about a word some Japanese say before a meal, itadakimasu. It’s a sort of blessing that is not overtly religious, but certainly has spiritual implications.
The article explained that it literally meant, I am going to eat, but that the meaning was so much fuller than that. The author went on the explain that it was really acknowledging that a person was going to eat because someone purchased the seed and planted it and nurtured it and harvested what grew from it. And someone else had delivered the harvested product to the market. And someone had purchased it and took it to be washed and prepared into the meal that was about to be eaten.
It was, in short, acknowledging the many hands that made the meal possible; the many connections between people that we all depend on for a thing so simple as a meal. I am going to eat because all those people did all those things. Many of them completely unknown to the one who consumes the meal. Lately, we have seen and heard of lots of examples of people creating connections where none existed in order to help those who are struggling. And people are becoming more aware of the difference others make in our daily lives due to their absence.
Often the economic impact is what gets our attention and helps us see the connection. The price of eggs or gas or the Thanksgiving turkey goes up and we notice. Or we find ourselves standing in line for longer for services. There is nothing like a change in price or an inconvenience to help us see how things are connected.
But we are connected in so many other ways that are not visible to us and often go unacknowledged by us. Wildlife biologists have shown that the presence or absence of a single species can impact the balance of an entire ecosystem. And that species is not always the so-called apex predator. What scientists have begun referring to as keystone species can have a controlling effect on an ecosystem without being a predator.
Everything is connected. But the connections go even deeper. Individuals can find themselves connected in ways that they never imagined. In an instant we can become aware of an interest or experience shared with another person that we had not imagined.
Recently I became aware that two of the writers of Alleluia stories share a common love for a piece of art. Who knew? I learned that because one of them was open enough to share that love in a story. And the other writer saw it and shared it with me. That is the power of community at work; to make visible our shared stories and connect us on a deeper level. Community is where people become known and gain the strength and courage to share their deeper selves. And others are able to see their shared experience in those revelations and new connections are made. Alleluia!
Chip
Several years ago, while traveling in Japan, I read an article in one of the local English language newspapers about a word some Japanese say before a meal, itadakimasu. It’s a sort of blessing that is not overtly religious, but certainly has spiritual implications.
The article explained that it literally meant, I am going to eat, but that the meaning was so much fuller than that. The author went on the explain that it was really acknowledging that a person was going to eat because someone purchased the seed and planted it and nurtured it and harvested what grew from it. And someone else had delivered the harvested product to the market. And someone had purchased it and took it to be washed and prepared into the meal that was about to be eaten.
It was, in short, acknowledging the many hands that made the meal possible; the many connections between people that we all depend on for a thing so simple as a meal. I am going to eat because all those people did all those things. Many of them completely unknown to the one who consumes the meal. Lately, we have seen and heard of lots of examples of people creating connections where none existed in order to help those who are struggling. And people are becoming more aware of the difference others make in our daily lives due to their absence.
Often the economic impact is what gets our attention and helps us see the connection. The price of eggs or gas or the Thanksgiving turkey goes up and we notice. Or we find ourselves standing in line for longer for services. There is nothing like a change in price or an inconvenience to help us see how things are connected.
But we are connected in so many other ways that are not visible to us and often go unacknowledged by us. Wildlife biologists have shown that the presence or absence of a single species can impact the balance of an entire ecosystem. And that species is not always the so-called apex predator. What scientists have begun referring to as keystone species can have a controlling effect on an ecosystem without being a predator.
Everything is connected. But the connections go even deeper. Individuals can find themselves connected in ways that they never imagined. In an instant we can become aware of an interest or experience shared with another person that we had not imagined.
Recently I became aware that two of the writers of Alleluia stories share a common love for a piece of art. Who knew? I learned that because one of them was open enough to share that love in a story. And the other writer saw it and shared it with me. That is the power of community at work; to make visible our shared stories and connect us on a deeper level. Community is where people become known and gain the strength and courage to share their deeper selves. And others are able to see their shared experience in those revelations and new connections are made. Alleluia!
Chip
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