Thursday prior to Proper 12

 

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Colossians 2:6-15— Paul exhorts his people to live in Christ in whom dwells the fullness of God. We live on earth only once and almost everyone wants to get as much out of life as possible. But how do you achieve a happy and fulfilling life?

Your life in Christ is centered in your baptism. Luther has said, “There is on earth no greater comfort than baptism.” Aimless wanderers- that is what many individuals appear to be today in our world. They have no direction, no purpose, no solid basis for living. At times we all may even ask, “Where is life leading me?”  In the midst of this questioning comes good news. In Jesus we are more than wanderers.

Verse 7 is a key verse. Paul encourages “be rooted in Christ.” To be “rooted” in Christ is to be circumcised in Christ. Circumcision was a sign of entering a covenant with God. Baptism is the Christian’s circumcision; we enter into a covenant with Christ. Now we are His, we belong to Him; we live under Him as our Lord and Savior.

“Be built up in Christ.” In Vs.12 Paul says we are buried and rise with Christ in Baptism. We die to self and are risen a new creation. The new creation is now a process of being raised even higher into the fullness of Christ. 

“Have faith in Christ”.  Believe in Jesus as the One in whom dwells the fullness of God.

Finally, St. Paul encourages us to “give thanks.”  Christians give thanks to God for Jesus. For Jesus freed us from the curse of the Law by nailing the Law to the cross. From this we have forgiveness. Also, give thanks for Jesus’ victory over the power s of evil. Because of Jesus, we are free from din, death and the evil powers of this world.

 

 

For an answer to prayer; Almighty God, You have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Your Son’s name. Mercifully incline Your ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications to You, and grant that those things that we have faithfully asked according to Your will we may receive to meet our need and bring glory to Your; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 7:  O Jesus Christ, the mirror of all gentleness of mind, the example of highest obedience and patience, grant me your servant true devotion to consider how you, innocent and undefiled Lamb were bound, taken, and hauled away to death for my sins how well content you were to suffer such things, not opening your mouth in impatience, but willingly offering yourself unto death. O gracious God, how vilely were you mishandled for my sake! O Lord, let this never come out of my heart. Take away my heart’s coldness and sloth, stir up love and fervency toward you, provoke me to earnest prayer and make me cheerful and diligent in your will. – Miles Coverdale (1488-1568) [3] -21 July 2022

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[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2]Collect for an answer to prayer, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3][3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY