Festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Posted on September 21, 2023 by under
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 (NKJV)
3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
Devotion
This passage teaches the doctrine of Vocation, which confesses that the duties a man has in this life—if they are not wicked—have been laid on him by God, that he may know how to worship God and how to love his neighbor. When the Small Catechism teaches about confession and absolution, it urges us to “reflect in your condition, according to the Ten Commandments, namely: Whether you are a father or mother, a son or daughter, a master or mistress, a man-servant or maid-servant,” etc.
In today’s text, St. Paul rebukes those who are not fulfilling their vocations. He accuses them of laziness—not doing their own work—but also of disorderliness, which is the fruit of laziness. For, if anyone will not do his duty, those who depend on him will suffer. Therefore, the Apostle gives this universal command: “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
Vocations are gifts. God gives vocations so that each will know how to worship Him. Every Christian should be comforted to know that simply doing his duty faithfully—whether as parent, child, employer, or worker—is a good work, which God rewards in this life, and in the life to come. We cannot earn God’s favor by our vocations, but because we are saved through faith in Christ, our vocations become pleasing to God on account of faith.
Collect: O Almighty God, Who by Thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist: Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succor, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; 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.
