Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul
Posted on January 25, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 13:31-35 (NKJV)
13:31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
“I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Devotion
The secrets of the kingdom and the salvation of God have been given to some and not to others. It’s not that Jesus didn’t atone for the whole world by His death on the cross; He did. But not all will listen. It is a deep and profound mystery that those who are inheriting eternal life have been chosen by God for that salvation. This mystery cannot be understood by man’s logic. We don’t know why God desires all to be saved and yet only some are chosen.
As Christians we need to come to terms with the hard reality that not all are chosen for eternal life. If we are worried and ask ourselves the question, “How do I know that I am one of the elect?”, don’t fear. God has not made this an impossible game; He gives you this doctrine of election for your comfort. If you wonder whether you have been given the secrets of the kingdom of God, just ask yourself, “Do I believe the Gospel that I’ve heard? Have I been baptized?” If you can answer yes, then you are one of the elect. If you believe, you are one to whom the secrets of the kingdom of God have been given. He who has ears to hear, let him hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Collect: Merciful Lord, we beseech Thee to cast the bright beams of Thy light upon Thy Church, that it being instructed by the doctrine of the blessed Apostles, may so walk in the light of Thy truth, that it may at length attain to the light of everlasting life; 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 Transfiguration of our Lord
O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thine Only-begotten Son, hast confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of the fathers, and Who, in the voice that came from the bright cloud, didst in a wonderful manner foreshow the adoption of sons: Mercifully vouchsafe to make us coheirs with the King of His glory, and bring us to the enjoyment of the same; 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
