The Festival of St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles
Posted on October 28, 2024 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 4:21-25 (NKJV)
4:21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Devotion
Today’s Collect petitions our Lord to grant us “to be joined together in the unity of spirit” by the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets. In today’s reading, Jesus is teaching the Apostles His doctrine so that—with them as the foundation of God’s Church—we would come to a knowledge of salvation. Jesus warns His Apostles, “Take heed what you hear.” These occupants of the apostolic office need to pay attention so that they get the Gospel message right. And when we learn the right doctrine of salvation from them, then the truth will set us free.
Jesus is not instructing these men in the truth of God’s Word so that they can keep it a secret. After Christ’s death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit will inspire these Apostles to be lampstands, which proclaim Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Their teaching of the Law will reveal our hidden sins, which blind us to the truth. Their teaching of the Gospel will pour out heaping measures of grace and forgiveness for those who repent and believe in Christ’s promise.
Collect: O Almighty God, Who has 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 Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity Sunday
O God, our Refuge and Strength, Who art the Author of all godliness: Be ready, we beseech Thee, to hear the devout prayers of Thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully, we may obtain effectually; 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.
