Uh oh. The “S” word…

I recently had the great pleasure of officiating a wedding of 2 men friends, partners for 17 years. A short, funny, off-beat, and poignant ceremony. In the opening line of the ceremony, I used the phrase “Holy Shit” three times. Then said, “Well, shit IS holy.” Laughter. Oh the delicious irreverence.  But you know, shit really is holy. But we’ll get to that later. “Shit”  is not the “S-word” that I’m referring to, but rather a synonym of “holy”. The “S-word” I’m talking about is “Sacred”.

sacred (sey’- krid)

adjective

1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose: consecrated.

2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.

3. pertaining to or connected with religion (opposed to secular or profane): sacred music.

4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object; a morning hour sacred to study.

5. regarded with reverence; the sacred memory of a dead hero.

When I went through my 2 year seminary journey, I was surrounded by people who had a connection to the concept of “sacredness”. I certainly always had my own connection to and idea of what was and is sacred. What I discovered about myself in seminary, and what my understanding was of “what is sacred”  was not defined by religion. Or for that matter, secular vs. spiritual. No, I realized that my intrinsic understanding was that ALL of LIFE is Sacred. (and that includes the ever profane shit)

After seminary, of course I became much more articulate about my spiritual understandings. I had also learned that different words mean very different things to each of us.  Shit, even Interfaith ministers have varying definitions of the word   “interfaith’.  The word “religion” is a hot button these days. The word “spiritual” means religion to some, nature to others, and, well you get the idea. How could the word “sacred” be any less ambiguous?

As I began to move out into my everyday life  and to share my spiritual musings with others, the understanding of “Sacred’ became a bit of an obsession for me. Some thought I was talking about religion. Some, spirituality. Some were very uncomfortable. Some simply confused. So I began asking, “What is Sacred to you? What does that word even mean to you?

And the dialogue began. I’m going with No. 4 above. Reverently dedicated to people in general, to my purpose to celebrate Life, and to, well, holy shit.

So…what is Sacred to you?