The Monday after Invocavit Sunday
Posted on March 10, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 22:24-32 (NKJV)
22:24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Devotion
Our Lord said, “I am among you as the One who serves.” Throughout His earthly ministry He taught us by His words and His actions what true humble service looks like. He submitted to the will of the Father. He called the prideful to lower themselves in repentant humility. He taught the faithful to understand their duties according to obedient love.
Satan taught the first woman to seek her will over God’s and over the role she had been given with her husband. The first man failed and submitted to this disorder. We have struggled with such foolishness and disobedience ever since. Part of our Savior’s work to crush Satan under His heel was to keep the Law of love in perfect obedience to the Father and give us new life according to that righteousness.
In Jesus Christ we are made able to repent of our sinful vanity and instead live as true disciples who love and strengthen others in Him, as well. Our Lord has brought us into His kingdom of salvation, so we are to fear, love, and trust in Him above all things. That frees us to direct our focus and our energies to love and serve, rather than to dispute and seek our own “greatness.” By the power of His Holy Spirit we are made able to truly give all glory to God with all our words and deeds.
Collect: O Lord, mercifully hear our prayer, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to defend us from them that rise up against us; 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 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.
