Tuesday after Oculi Sunday
Posted on March 22, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Devotion
May we always rejoice in the great freedom we receive through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Redeemer. All the things that Saint Peter calls us to achieve are fulfilled completely in our Baptism into Christ, which creates the New Man within us purely by grace through faith. Christ in us allows us to live the life called for in these verses with a confidence that knows God’s Word does not change and is always true.
As men gird up their robes in preparation for vigorous action, so we are able to likewise gird our mind and spirit for the vigorous action of living the Christian life. That life flows from the Holy Spirit working vigorously in us to build up the faith delivered in Holy Baptism, and strengthened daily through His holy Word and Sacrament Ministry provided through His ministers in His Church. For holiness is God’s gift; His effective call sets men apart for the Lord, and makes them His “called saints,” literally His “called holy ones.” This reality bestows holiness, asks from men–and makes possible for men–a holy life lived to God. In this way they are sanctified (made holy) for obedience. Thus the just requirement of the Law is fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit.
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 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.
