Preserve, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy family by thy constant mercy; that, as it leans solely on the hope of heavenly grace, it may always be defended by thy protection.
Collect from the 5th Sunday after Epiphany
I think this Collect is similar to the Our Father: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." This is conditional. The Father will forgive us if we have forgiven our neighbor. We will be defended by God's protection if we rely solely on the hope of heavenly grace. This reminds me of the parable of the bad steward, which concludes "make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings." I believe this conclusion is, at least on one level, sarcastic. It rebukes those who would rely on earthly things rather than the help of heaven, and points our that those who are worldly are often more zealous about their business than Christians are about the things of heaven. Let us remember to be zealous for the things of heaven, where our treasure and our hearts should be.
What an interesting meditation on this subject.
ReplyDeleteLet us remember to be zealous for the things of heaven, where our treasure and our hearts should be.
ReplyDeleteamen amen amen...Your blog design is just beautiful. Blessings dear sister of the faith.