TUESDAY (September 8, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“…where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”” (Matthew 18:20)
Reading
“But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:4–7)
Meditation
God uses earthly authorities to act as His hands and feet in the world. Parents, teachers, all the way up to the government, these people are acting on His behalf. As we live in this world, we are to hear and obey the authorities whom God has put before us. This does not mean to approve of sin, but it does mean to do everything we can to live in peace with our neighbors. God’s grace comes through the Gospel, not through the government.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Emily this week. Give her your grace and teach her to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.
Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer