Festival of St. Henry of Finland, Bishop and Martyr
Posted on January 19, 2024 by under
Scripture: Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)
5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Devotion
It used to be that many grave markers bore the initials R.I.P. The letters stand for the Latin requiescat in pace, meaning “rest in peace.” They are words written above and spoken over those who died. But can there really be peace when someone lies in the grave, whether death has come violently or silently? Since the world never lives in peace, how can we die that way?
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” Being justified by Jesus means the Law has been completely fulfilled by Him for you. Peace with God means Jesus has taken away the discord of your sin. “R.I.P.” means resting in peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And this we possess even as we live. In your baptism you’ve already died in Jesus (Rom. 6:1-6). Jesus has made His death your death. Life will include suffering, but even when you suffer, such suffering produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope. And certainly what we all need in this dying world is hope in our Savior Jesus.
We confess weekly there is “the resurrection of the body”—your body—and “the life everlasting.” Those confessed words are peaceful words. Those words are filled with hope and are worth inscribing on anyone’s tombstone who dies in the faith.
Collect: O God, who dost guide Thy Church through the faithful ministrations of Thy servants, grant that Thy ministers, like St. Henry, stand steadfast against those who would work iniquity; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord
Almighty and everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
