March 2026
*A play on the greek word gnosis, which means knowledge. Each month Rev. Cynthia will share a theological, or churchy word/phrase and its meaning.
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You have probably said the word thousands of times. Every time you’ve prayed or maybe you have sung a chorus of the word over and over again. Maybe you have shouted it out during a sermon. I am talking about the word “Amen”. Have you ever wondered what this word means and why we say it at the end of prayers? This word like many churchy words has its roots in the Hebrew language ‘aman which means to confirm, support, believe, trust, be faithful. ‘Aman roots are from the Hebrew verb “to believe.” It is used in the Hebrew (old testament) scriptures often after a blessing or as an affirmation, “may it be so” and became a concluding word or response to prayer in Jewish, Christian and Islamic practices. When amen is translated into English it is usually truly or verily. For example in John 14:12:
Very truly, [Amen, amen] I tell you the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12
So the next time you are praying, remember to trust in its words, to affirm that it be so, and that it be true. And all the people said: “Amen!”
Rev. Cynthia O’Connell
Minister
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