The Festival of St. Thorlak, Bishop and Confessor
Posted on December 23, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 24:42-47 (NKJV)
24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.”
Devotion
An academic prodigy pressured toward the circles of social and political power, Thorlak Thorhallsson felt more comfortable gathering with the disabled and outcast. Today, some reasoned he had autism. His Augustinian convictions would not allow him to retreat fully to his “comfort zone,” though. Study and contemplation were to benefit others; the proper use of material things in the Lord’s service was godly, not being an ascetic hermit. Thus, Thorlak dedicated his life to rigorous service in reforming Christ’s Church in Iceland, seeking to increase the piety of both clergy and laity. As most pastors were still married in 12th century Iceland, but often not remaining faithful in their first marriages, Bishop Thorlak helped restore godly living. He also worked to eradicate the sinful selling of Church offices and other practices that often left pastors so beholden to “benefactors” that they wouldn’t condemn their sinful living.
St. Thorlak is remembered precisely because of his forgetting himself. Rather than utterly retreating to what might seem more natural or comfortable to him, he used those qualities for faithful service to Christ. Being able, by God’s grace alone, to set aside both personal notoriety and what pleased his flesh, he tended the Master’s house and flock, just as Jesus exhorts in our reading.
Collect: Merciful God, graciously look upon Thy Church here on earth. Strengthen Thy congregation and give Thy Church comfort and peace. Teach the leaders of Thy Church to unite against all obstacles to Thy Word. Guide those who are tempted. Comfort those who suffer any want of body or soul. Prepare Thy congregation to make ready to sincerely and faithfully celebrate the holy feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Rorate coeli Sunday
Stir up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us, that by the help of Thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished through Thy mercy and satisfaction; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Advent
Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father 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.
