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23/09/2020
A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Rev Dr Rosa Hunt, co-principal of the South Wales Baptist College.
Last on
Wed 23 Sep 2020
05:43
±«Óătv Radio 4
Script:
Good morning. I wouldn’t normally recommend putting a watch between your teeth, but on this day in 1879 Richard Rhodes received a patent for a hearing aid after just such an experiment. He called his new invention the Audiphone. It was used in schools for the deaf, and though opinions on its benefits varied, some teachers were astounded at its ability to assist deaf children to speak.Â
I suffer from hearing loss myself, as well as being hopelessly short-sighted. This is why I am thankful on a daily basis for technology which allows me to see and hear well. Like most of us, in recent weeks I’ve had even more reason to be grateful for technological advances. My laptop has become a gateway to the world. Through it I have been able to continue teaching during lockdown, and to provide a way for various isolated members of my congregation to meet and worship together.Â
Technology changes from era to era, but the ability to use our brains and hands to create new inventions has always been seen by people of faith as a blessing from God. Right at the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis chapter 4, we encounter a little-known character called Tubal-Cain, who, we are told, “forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron”, while his brother Jubal “was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes” and his other brother Jabal “was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.” This little family is a microcosm of our human society, where each of us has been blessed by God with gifts to contribute to the common good.
Father God,While we are all made in your image and likeness, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents. We thank you especially today for those working at the forefront of modern technology, pushing back the boundaries of what is possible for humans to do. We pray that you will help them to work with wisdom and humility as well as insight and creativity. And please help us all to use our talents to build a better world.Amen.
I suffer from hearing loss myself, as well as being hopelessly short-sighted. This is why I am thankful on a daily basis for technology which allows me to see and hear well. Like most of us, in recent weeks I’ve had even more reason to be grateful for technological advances. My laptop has become a gateway to the world. Through it I have been able to continue teaching during lockdown, and to provide a way for various isolated members of my congregation to meet and worship together.Â
Technology changes from era to era, but the ability to use our brains and hands to create new inventions has always been seen by people of faith as a blessing from God. Right at the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis chapter 4, we encounter a little-known character called Tubal-Cain, who, we are told, “forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron”, while his brother Jubal “was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes” and his other brother Jabal “was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.” This little family is a microcosm of our human society, where each of us has been blessed by God with gifts to contribute to the common good.
Father God,While we are all made in your image and likeness, you have blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents. We thank you especially today for those working at the forefront of modern technology, pushing back the boundaries of what is possible for humans to do. We pray that you will help them to work with wisdom and humility as well as insight and creativity. And please help us all to use our talents to build a better world.Amen.
Broadcast
- Wed 23 Sep 2020 05:43±«Óătv Radio 4
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