Religious Rhythm

This summer one of my colleagues challenged her congregation to read the Psalms daily for a month. In our Book of Common Prayer, there is a schedule to read all 150 Psalms over 30 days (morning and night.)  Years ago, I kept that daily practice for a while, but have gotten away from it, so I accepted her challenge. It put me back in touch not only with the Psalms, but with our schedule of daily scripture readings along with praying Morning Prayer, Rite I. 

I usually get back into a more regular rhythm of prayer this time of year, and the Psalm challenge gave me a little head start. Around here, summer has its own fast pace when our streets, bay, and beaches are packed with visitors coming to get their time in this paradise where we are so fortunate to live.  School has begun and the crowds thin out, and we have the opportunity to fall back into a new rhythm. 

As our days grow shorter, even while the heat persists, we can feel that seasonal shift toward autumn. Just around the corner we will celebrate All Hallows Eve (Halloween, the eve of All Saints' Day), then Advent will begin as we start to prepare to celebrate Christ's Incarnation. It is a time many of our churches re-start programs, Bible Study, Sunday School, and youth groups begin a new cycle. I have been enjoying preparing to move back into that religious rhythm that supports our collective spiritual life. 

I appreciate now more than ever, the traditions I have inherited from generations of Christians, and others who have paid attention to natural rhythms of nature, and how our own human spiritual practices fit in this those rhythms. In one devotional booklet I use the author observes, "Summer is the least religious time of year." It is a time of abundance, of harvest, and of warmth (or in our part of the world too-hot.) As the least religious time of year passes, our life can be enriched by getting back into rhythm with our faith community. 

Unlike summer, these autumn and winter seasons (though milder in our part of the world) bring a human need for order and rhythm. The seasons of the church put us in touch with the story of God's love for humanity; Christians follow a schedule of readings moving us from birth of Jesus to his death and resurrection. It is a story we cycle through year after year, supporting our circuitous journey through life. In the midst of the often chaotic world, we can find a deep rhythm in that familiar order. It helps to open our eyes to the spiritual order in our lives and relationships, and the beautiful order of the created cosmos. 

One of our evening prayers reminds us, "amidst the changes and chances of this life, we rest in God's eternal changelessness." Being intentional about your religious/spiritual life and participation in a church is a way of intentionally resting in God's eternal changelessness. It sets a priority and keeps the many demands of the world in perspective. Holding an intentional prayer practice as part of our religious/spiritual life sets us on a sure foundation from which to live and deal with the ongoing changes of life. So maybe daily Morning Prayer, Rite I, or reading the Psalms isn't your thing, that's ok. It's a good time to find and follow the religious/spiritual practice that suits you. Even 10 minutes each morning, a small sacrifice of your time, can awaken your soul and support you through the changes and chances of life.