Festival of St. James, Apostle
Posted on July 25, 2022 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 1:9-11 (NKJV)
1:9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Devotion
Today is the festival of St. James. Being the brother of our Lord, St. James had the opportunity to grow up with Jesus, and yet we are told in St. John’s Gospel that the Lord’s brothers hesitated to believe until after the Resurrection (John 7:5). In contrast, our reading today gives us the testimony of the Holy Trinity at the Lord’s baptism.
All three persons of the Godhead are present, and the Father is heard declaring Jesus to be His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased. Not only does this passage give us a clear defense of the doctrine of the Trinity, but it also shows us the love shared between the persons of the Triune Godhead.
This shows us how to reflect love within our own families. As St. James learned to trust his own Brother, so we should trust this same Jesus who is the image of the invisible God. Just as the Father acknowledges His beloved Son, so also Christian parents should show forth the love of God to their children.
Prayer: O Almighty God, Who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Head Cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable unto Thee; through the same 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 Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Lord of All Power and Might, Who art the Author and Giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; 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.
