When referring to after midnight until noon, is the correct designation a.m. or AM or A.M.? Believe it or not, this discussion is going on among a few folks at church relative to church publicity and information. I know that I was taught in school a.m. and p.m. We were told that the letters were abbreviations and that is why periods were used. The words being abbreviated were not proper nouns and so were not to be capitalized. I realize that these things change over time and my indoctrination is a good 40 years behind the times. Two people at church who are retired educators favor capitalization; one preferring the use of periods (A.M.) and one preferring no periods (AM). I will gladly defer to them as far as church usage is concerned.
This happens to be one of those little things that has piqued my interest. I decided to see what the internet has to say on the matter. I went to the first grammar site recommended to see what was suggested regarding ante meridiem and post meridiem. In looking for that particular information on the website about grammar, there were examples of other usage issues. I glanced at those. In several examples, “Ms.” was used. Ms.? Mrs. is an abbreviation for missus or mistress depending how far back you go. Mr. is an abbreviation for mister. What is Ms. an abbreviation for? Again, we were taught in school back in the 1960’s and 1970’s that the title Ms was not an abbreviation so there should be no period after it. Since I don’t trust what that site says about Ms, I don’t put much store in what is says about a.m. and p.m. So, what’s the final authority? Who are we going to listen to and follow? At the moment, until I am convinced otherwise, in matters of grammar I’m sticking with Miss Rose who taught 7th grade English at Eastern Junior High.
Issues of authority and accuracy come into play in many ways when it comes to religion and faith. There are many different viewpoints in the Bible itself about a variety of things. Then there are the many issues surrounding translation and language and culture that influence the texts in the Bible. There are different teachings from the church on various matters of faith. There are a multiplicity of practices when it comes to worship, the sacraments, and faith practices. There is much diversity and variety within Christianity itself before we even get to the differences between religions. So how do we decide? What is authoritative? What sources to do we trust?
This is a complicated issue, but one thing to keep in mind is where does it lead? Accepting a certain viewpoint or tenet or belief leads to certain conclusions. Look at where something leads. Does is lead to love? Justice? Each and every person equally valued? Does it point to a God defined as love? Is there room for mystery? Does an idea or concept incorporate head and heart? Intellect and spirituality? Is there room for openness and growth and new understandings?
Each of us is responsible for our spiritual journey – the faith we embrace, how we practice our faith, and how we grow in faith – and the consequences of our choices. For me at this point on my journey, Christianity is about becoming a more loving person and increasing my desire to make a greater contribution to the common good. If an aspect, practice, or belief of Christianity is leading in that direction then I am likely to give it importance and authority.
Lent is a good time to think about what is important to us in our faith journey. How do we decide? What do we trust? What authority (or authorities) inform our faith and our beliefs? How are we growing in our spiritual life?
Prayer: There are many beliefs and spiritual paths. Finding our way can be complicated or even confusing. May we trust Jesus as our guide leading us to the heart of love at the center of creation and at the center of our own lives. May we let that love cast out our fears as we seek to live for others. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 