The Friday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 13, 2026 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. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Devotion
Today’s reading sounds so like it could be in the Table of Duties found in Luther’s Small Catechism. But it is not. What is found in the Table of Duties pertains “To Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers.” However, today’s reading pertains to deacons. While the role of deacons was first established to serve the congregation by way of distributing food to the poor and caring for the needy (Acts 6:1-6), deacons served in the Ministry of preaching and administering the sacraments, the duties of ordained clergy (Acts 8:5, 12, 35-40). Deacons often serve as assistants to bishops. If you go back to the earlier verses in 1 Timothy 3 you will find similar qualifications for bishops, and fittingly so. The Office of the Holy Ministry carries with it a great responsibility, while at the same time it offers the holder of the same the great joy of bringing the forgiveness of sins to God’s people.
In our diocese, bishops, pastors, and deacons all serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry, with each serving in the respective roles to the end of serving God’s people with His Word and blessed Sacraments. The call by God is to hold fast to “the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience”; that is, to hold fast to pure doctrine, and teach the same to God’s people.
Collect: 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 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 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.
