In his letter, James, Jesus' brother, made a clear statement about religion and religious practices. He noted that there is a type of religion that God the Father accepts, and another, lacking power and effectiveness, which He regards as worthless. He not only distinguished between what our Father finds acceptable and what He regards as worthless but also described what pure and faultless religion entails.

To keep our religion pure and acceptable, God wants us to keep a tight rein on our words. As James jarringly said: “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself.” I don’t know about you, but I find this really difficult. I think about it, work on it, and strive daily to control my mouth, yet inevitably I catch myself saying something I shouldn’t or failing to say what I should.

Furthermore, James emphasized that true religion in God’s eyes involves “caring for orphans and widows in their distress and avoiding worldly corruption.” Once again, I find myself coming up short here. You might wonder how, and I respond by redefining James’ call, such as qualifying which distressed orphans and widows and what worldly corruption. However, when I read James 1:27 alongside Jesus’ message in Matthew 25:31-40, his intent becomes quite clear. By caring for the orphans and widows who cross our paths, we not only serve them as if serving the Lord Himself but also guard ourselves from the corrupt influences of the world. Truly, authentic and sincere religion includes mindful speech and sacrificial service to those in need, which are expressions of Christ’s love working through us.

With this reflection in mind, may we sincerely pray the collect for Sunday: O Lord, our heavenly Father, keep your household the Church continually in your true religion, that we who trust in the hope of your heavenly grace may always be defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s peace be with you!