A powerful little prefix

published March 22, 2012

in the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

     During this Lenten season, I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about a prefix - the two-letter prefix "re-." According to the dictionary, the prefix "re" means "again, anew." Those two little letters have come to have a lot of meaning for me during Lent, as I have made a collection of words that begin with that prefix. Words that speak of the opportunity for a "do over," to do something again, anew.
     Perhaps you haven't thought about this as deeply as I have, so let me guide your thinking for a moment. There are many words that, when you put the prefix re- in front of the word, mean to do the action of that word again, do it anew, do it over. For example, the word "refill" simply means to fill again. The word "renew" obviously means to make something new again. But when I spend time throughout my day thinking about the words "refill" and "renew" in the context of Lent, they become spiritual words that guide my Lenten journey.
     If you catch my drift by now, let me suggest a few of the other re- prefix words that have made my list during Lent: reclaim, recommit, reconfirm, reconsider, recreate, redeliver, reexamine, reform, refresh, reincarnation, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, relive, remake, remodel, replant, repurpose, restore, retell, review.
     As if that's not enough food for thought, there are many other words that begin with the letters "re" but which do not have the meaning of the prefix. For instance, "redemption" doesn't mean "demptioin anew" any more than "relent" means to do Lent over again. However, both of these re- words are fitting reflections (get it") leading towards Easter.
     So for the half-dozen or so of you who are still with me at this point, here are some more words that begin with re- for you to repeat as you relate them to Lent: rebuke, receive, redeemed, redeemer, refine, reflect, refrain, refuse, regret, reject, rejoice, relax, release, religion, relinquish, remain, remember, remorse, renounce, repent, replenish, report, require, resist, resolve, respect, respond, restrain, revere, reverse, revile, revival, revoke.
     This little exercise has been a meaningful reflection for me during Lent. It's not required, but if you can relate to this in any way, or if you receive a revival from it, please respond to me in that regard and retell it to a friend.