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Grant that they may be built as living stones into a spiritual temple acceptable to you.
March 28, 2023
Numbers 21:4–9 | John 8:21–30 | Psalm 102:15–22
Look with compassion upon those who are being prepared for Holy Baptism, and grant that they may be built as living stones into a spiritual temple acceptable to you.
Our Collect for the Day evokes an image of God’s people as living stones, joined together to form a spiritual temple greater than the sum of its parts. This idea of individuals forming a more perfect union is echoed in the Book of Common Prayer (646-47): To make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise.
It seems every day we receive reminders of the vulnerability of our youngest living stones. The Center for Disease Control reports that last year 44 percent of all teens experienced feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness. And sadly these rates are much higher for teenage girls and LGBTQ youth. The pressures of social media, a steady drumbeat of negative news and toxic politics all contribute to this collective sense of despair about the future.
Last month I had the opportunity to advise a family in rural Virginia on ways they might use their personal wealth to do more to protect the health and well-being of their community’s most vulnerable youth. They’ve chosen to build a community center where young people and adults can gather to work across generations, religious traditions and political belief to build stronger personal connections while working on projects to assist neighbors in need.
The Virginia experience reminded me of the theme of St. Luke’s 2023 commitment campaign — all that St. Luke’s “makes possible.” From our feeding ministries to music and worship services to youth and adult faith formation, what St. Luke’s makes possible is a thriving community that nurtures all of God’s “living stones.”
Today’s psalm concludes: That they may declare in Zion the Name of the Lord, and his praise in Jerusalem; when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord. Let us celebrate all that St. Luke’s makes possible while recommitting ourselves to do even more to reach those in crisis both in our midst and beyond.
Michael Grady
