Friday after the First Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on June 7, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 10:34-42 (NKJV)
10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Devotion
Jesus shows honor to the Father who sent Him. Note how Jesus connects Himself with the Twelve: He was commissioned, they are commissioned (hence “apostles”, or ones who are sent). In this connection of our Lord with His called and commissioned ministers the Church has historically viewed holders of the Office of the Holy Ministry and the official functions of that office, the Word and Sacrament Ministry. These men stand in the stead and by the command of Christ.
The Greek word micros is used to refer to someone of insignificance or non-importance. This term must be understood within the context of the preceding verses. It refers to the tiniest act of kindness toward a single disciple, from among the least important of them all. A disciple is one who is striving to be a perfect copy of the Teacher to the best of one’s ability. It is also noteworthy that the one doing the tiniest service toward the disciple because he is a disciple is rewarded. It is not the magnitude of the service that determines the reward, but the motive and its appreciation by the Lord.
Collect: O God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee, both in will and deed; 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.
