On this, the last Sunday in Lent, the collect is a beautiful
prayer that asks God to work in us to transform our character.
O Almighty God, who
alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: Grant unto thy
people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that
which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First, this collect acknowledges that we really have no power
within ourselves, but that God, who is "Almighty," has the ability to
"order" our "unruly wills and affections." Isn't it amazing
that when we try by the power of our own might to change habits and character
flaws, we fall short? Well, let me speak for myself: I find it impossible to
change my habits and character flaws! However, I am not the same man today as I
was three, or ten, or twenty years ago, because of the power of the Holy Spirit
working within me. While not completely ordered, to be sure, God is
transforming my will and affections, and I thank him for that!
Secondly, this collect asks God to change us to love what he
commands and desire what he promises. When we can align our hearts and minds to
that of God, we find ourselves truly blessed. King David speaks of this often
in the psalms...
“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way
of sinners,
nor sits in the seat
of scoffers;
but his delight is in
the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates
day and night.”
(Psalm 1:1-2)
I often experience the blessing that David speaks of because
I truly desire to do God's will. The issue for me isn't in loving his commands
or desiring his promises. Rather, it is in acting on that love and desire. The
words of St. Paul in his epistle to the Church in Rome ring so true for me and,
I suspect, for most of you as well: “For
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the
very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15) This collect asks God, in his mercy, not
only to help us love and desire these things but to do them!
Lastly, this collect recognizes that we need God to work
this way in our lives if we are going to be able to adapt and excel in a
dynamic world that is constantly changing. Sometimes it can be overwhelming,
watching the world change at a pace that is much faster than our own. But, by
God's grace, we are able to “roll with the punches.” I think the key is to keep
our eyes on God - the one who is
unchangeable, all powerful, all knowing, and all loving! And to that I say
Amen!
Note: These articles are written by Bishop Menees for the
Diocese of San Joaquin. I have posted them on Soundings with his permission for
a wider audience. This is also the case for his "Why I am an
Anglican" series. Dale+
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