Monday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 27, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. John 13:31-35 (NKJV)
13:31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Devotion
St. John faithfully follows through on our Lord’s instructions in his epistles. He and the other Apostles write about love, works, and discipline among the saints in Christ’s Church. This is a great blessing from God and an important aspect of how He glorifies Himself as the Lord of our salvation!
People say lots of things. They say things that sound really good, and seem to have sincere good intentions when they say them. But Christ teaches us to do the things that reflect God’s glory and love for us all. We can say (or type) nice ideas or pious plans, but if we do not carry out the works of love that He prepares for us, then we are acting unfaithfully.
The world thinks that love is about the self. “I feel this way about you…” “I do this thing for you so you know I care…” “I’m making sure others see that I’m loving and praising you…” Even Peter said he intended to lay down his life for Jesus’ sake, but soon after that his actions displayed more concern with protecting himself.
Christ teaches us the better way and, through faith in Him, His way is credited to us and we begin to walk in it. He taught and acted according to His vocations, not according to vanities. As He loved His disciples, and us, He did the will of the Father. He kept the Ten Commandments. He glorified the name of the Lord. By these things—not our own glory—will people see the kingdom of God and His righteousness!
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; 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 Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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.
