True Religion

“Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.” Collect for Proper 17 C

I love the language of our collects in the Book of Common Prayer. They challenge me to think about words in a deeper way. These pithy, but powerful, prayers often summarize deep theological truths and aspirational growth. This Sunday’s collect is so appropriate for our community, as we transition to the fuller programming of the fall. 

During staff meeting yesterday, it was an adjustment to remember how full our programming is when we are full swing into the year. What do we do on which days? What new offerings did we add? How do we clarify the nomenclature of this wonderful programming? This strongly energized my thinking about our common life together.

I suspect most of us Episcopalians don’t use the phrase “true religion” in everyday conversation. In fact, it seems to verge on hubris to even imagine saying it. And yet in the context of this collect, it is a beautiful phrase. We are not saying we know what it is, but we are acknowledging who gives the increase. It is God. 

God gives us the capacity for spiritual growth, and that growth comes from goodness, love, and nurture. That is what the rhythms of our community life intend. When we enter a rhythm of life that allows for space and reflection through worship, study, or service—we are asking for a life founded in truth.

The word religion comes from the Latin term religare, which means to bind or fasten. True religion then, in a sacramental sense, is praying in a way that forms us to worship and praise God. The more we pray, the more we are grafted in love and then that bears fruit in our lives and the world. What we give our time and attention to is deeply important. As we’ve gathered in small groups to reflect on our life at St. Mark’s, many of you are sharing the deep importance of this community in forming you as people of faith. With the commencing of our program year, please take some time to look at what is available to you here. Trust the goodness and the growth that can come in community; invite a friend to come along!

Peace, Beth +