Festival of St. Bartholomew, Apostle
Posted on August 24, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-17 (NKJV)
3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
Devotion
The work of the Apostles is held up by our Lord as an example for us all. We belong to the one catholic and Apostolic Church and confess the Apostles’ Creed. Men such as St. Bartholomew are remembered because our merciful God has chosen to give us His holy Word and Sacraments through men, so that we can be built up as His holy people.
The Apostles underwent teaching and correction from the Lord. They endured fires and crosses as they preached the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen in the age to follow His glorious ascension. Most of them were martyred, and all of them will be exalted in the life of the world to come (Luke 22:28-30).
None of us has the right to quarrel about our greatness in God’s kingdom. We are all called to be faithful and humble, serving in whatever way He prepares for us! The false teachers and hypocrites will worry about such things, but their works also betray the lowliness of their real position. They need to be warned and corrected, as all of us sinners do, so that they may repent and faithfully know their right place as true servants of our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Prayer: O Almighty God, Who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Head Cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable unto Thee; through the same 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 Tenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
O God, Who declarest Thine Almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of Thy grace, that we, running the way of Thy commandments, may obtain Thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of Thy heavenly treasure; 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.
