27 December 2007

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist


Today the Church celebrates and commemorates St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist. His simple writing proclaims the most glorious truths of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, especially as He is the Word made flesh and how He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. His Gospel and his letters (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John) give such profound and life-changing truth and light, and his Revelation gives great hope that the Lamb of God, who bled, died, and rose again to take away the sin of the world will come again to rescue us and place us around His glorious throne, along with the whole company of heaven, to sing praises to the Holy Trinity and bask in His eternal life. Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of "St. John the Divine"!

Collect for St. John, Apostle and Evangelist:
Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse:
For Your belov'd disciple
Exiled to Patmos' shore,
And for his faithful record,
We praise You evermore.
Praise for the mystic vision
Through him to us revealed;
May we, in patience waiting,
With Your elect be sealed. (LSB 517:8)

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