Collect for the third Sunday after Easter

Prayer book

ALMIGHTY God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reflection

It is incredibly difficult for human beings not to be in error. We are often off target and distracted by our own blind following of what we think to be the truth. God is certainly transcendent, but we can know of Him better by reflecting upon what He is not, and drawing analogies.

The danger is that we may reflect too much on what God is not, and thus lose what He is, or else may fix ourselves on our analogies past their breaking points. These can lead folk on the paths to atheism or idolatry, We must be prepared to admit that there are times where we can only just sink to our knees and say, "Lord, I am in error. Guide me!"

The central fact of Christ's Religion is very simple: Repent of your sins and you will be forgiven through Christ our Lord and God. Repentance is an activity which must accompany our faith. We have to keep turning, even if that means, at times, we spin faster than a whirligig beetle on a carousel! When that happens, we must focus ourselves on Christ Himself and bind ourselves to Him. This is the true meaning of religion: if we are bound to Christ, then we go where He goes.