The Festival of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
Posted on June 5, 2024 by under
Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV)
9:23 Thus says the Lord:
“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Devotion
The Old Testament prophet in today’s assigned text presents the same theme as the Apostle Paul did in yesterday’s New Testament text: Fight the good fight of the faith. Jeremiah is warning all believers throughout time to keep their focus on God’s Word and will in every aspect of earthly life, for this is the path that leads one to eternal life. These two verses sum up faithfulness in the believer rather nicely: Ultimately, God and your knowledge of and love for Him are to be the primary and most worthwhile endeavors in any earthly vocation. The person holding to this has the start of wisdom, for they understand and know the Lord and the central point of redemption: Salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
This points to the divine reality that Jesus proclaims about the greatest commandment. God, through the prophet Jeremiah, declares that focusing all on the Lord and His holy Word and will leads to glorying in the Lord, which in turn produces in the believer such faithful works: lovingkindness, correct judgment, and blessed righteousness—in which the Lord delights. Thus, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).
Collect: O God, who dost guide Thy Church through the faithful ministrations of Thy servants, grant that Thy ministers, like Saint Boniface, stand steadfast against those who would work iniquity; 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 First Sunday after Trinity Sunday
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.
