Word and Wordle
FROM THE RECTOR
A while ago—144 days to be precise—when I was first introduced to Wordle, the only people I knew who played the daily word game were Episcopalians. Back then, it was an independent endeavor of Josh Wardle, a software engineer from Wales, but, about the time it was becoming popular across sectarian divides, he sold it to the New York Times Company. Although plenty of spin-offs have been created, the classic version gives players six attempts to guess a five-letter word, using a simple color code to indicate with each guess which letters are correct and in the right place (green), which letters are correct but in the wrong location (yellow), and which letters are not found in the word at all (black).
Immediately, I was hooked. For me, part of the attraction is knowing that everyone else is trying to guess the same word. We can then compare our successes or failures, analyzing why it took me five guesses to get the same word that only took you two attempts. Another devilishly compelling aspect is the simplicity with which we can share our results. Without giving away the word or what letters a player guessed, we can post the simple, automatically generated image of black, yellow, and green squares to tell the world how smart (or lucky) we are. Perhaps most impressive of all has been the near universal willingness of players to resist the temptation to provide hints that would ruin the enjoyment of others.
I think the reason that I keep playing every day is that there is only one word for me to guess. Although Wordle Unlimited allows players to guess word after word, those of us who play the classic game only have one puzzle to solve each day. Once the guesses have been made, there is nothing to do but wait until the next morning to try again. A few times, when the word was particularly tricky, I have needed a little longer than usual to figure it out, but for the most part I can start and finish a day’s Wordle in the time it takes my coffee maker to brew a fresh pot. Because I can complete the game before I get very far into my day, Wordle has become a daily practice that I look forward to.
I can say the same thing about Morning Prayer. In the time it takes for my coffee to finish brewing, I can pull out my phone or laptop or prayer book, settle into a comfortable chair, and start the day with the morning office. Even without rushing, I can recite the psalm, read the lessons, pray my way through the collects, and name those people and situations on my heart within about ten minutes. As several colleagues have posted on social media, if you have time for a daily word game you have time for daily prayer.
You may wonder why I keep encouraging you to develop the habit of saying the Daily Office. I have found nothing as important for strengthening my faith, deepening my connection with God, and instilling within me a sense of peace as spending ten minutes each morning reading the appointed lessons and saying my daily prayers. It is the most rewarding spiritual habit I have ever developed, and for that reason I hope you will make it a part of your life, too. There is no clever image to share on social media to show the world that you have said your prayers, but there are several ways to share the office with others online, including our daily Facebook broadcast of Morning Prayer every weekday at 8:00 a.m..
Not sure where to start? Like trying Wordle for the first time, you do not need to know exactly what to do in order to give Morning Prayer a try. Visit Forward Movement, click on the link at the top of one of our Morning Reflections emails, or check out any of the resources catalogued on the Daily Office page of our church’s website. Or come to the church on a weekday at 8:00 a.m. and join Mary Miller and Trent Palmer to say the office in person.
A new habit starts with a first step. This could be the beginning of a long streak of daily prayer, but do not worry about that. Just start with today and trust that, with a small dose of intention, a good habit will come together almost by itself.
Yours Faithfully,
Evan D. Garner