Festival of the Annunciation of our Lord
Posted on March 25, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-12 (NKJV)
3:8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
Devotion
The mystery of the faith that must be held in the conscience with reverence is the mystery of the revealed Gospel. These are the same Means of Grace that Saint Paul declares as the mysteries of which he and other ministers (holders of the Office of the Holy Ministry) are the stewards.
Since Christian charity is care for the whole man, the deacon is not merely a “practical” functionary or doer of social ministry; he must be a man of Christian spirituality, able to apply the Gospel mysteries to man’s need in the various areas of life. The deacon’s service must be ultimately driven by Christian doctrine and the practicing or living out of a life of Christlike love toward the neighbor. This concern for love promoted through and by pure doctrine is echoed in verse ten’s call for testing prior to calling the man into the office of deacon. The first calling of men into the deaconship of the Christian community was to allow the ministers freedom to apply more time and energy to the all-important duties of Word and Sacraments, along with prayer, etc.
Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; 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 Festival of the Annunciation of our Lord
We beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by His Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of His Resurrection; 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 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 the 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.
