Something I hear often from friends outside the church is: "I'm spiritual, but not religious." You've probably heard it too. I've even said it myself. Usually it means something like: I'm not into the institution.

But the word religion has a powerful origin that gets lost in that conversation. It comes from the Latin re-ligio — to re-ligament, to reconnect. In many of the world's major faiths, especially Judaism and Christianity, reconnecting with other human beings is treated as one of the central ways we reconnect with God.

Paul put it this way: "God was pleased... to reconcile to himself all things... and has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Colossians 1:19-20)

In that sense, I do want to be religious. I want to play some small part in re-ligamenting what has come apart — between people, and between people and God.

We need more of that. With all the division and hostility in the world around us, we need more people who are willing to take risks and work outside the cultural scripts that encourage polarization. We need more people who see the value and the potential in every human life. We need more people to build bridges. 

May God give us the compassion, the creativity, and the courage for that work.

Prayer: God of grace, you have reconciled all things to yourself through Christ, and you have given that same ministry to us. Re-ligament what is broken in us, and use us to reconnect what has come apart in the lives around us. Give us eyes to see your image in every person we meet. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

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