Wednesday after 3rd Last - A Devotion

  Devotion for Wednesday after 3rd Last 

Jeremiah 23:21-40       Matthew 25:31-46

As Lutherans in northern Wisconsin, as a group, we are not generally excited to remember those who have died in the faith in the past, and whom the historic church has recognized and called saints. Too often, when we hear any talk of celebrating a “saint’s day,” our alarms go off. Why? I am not sure, but I would guess there is a certain fear/animosity/something toward Roman Catholicism that leaves many reluctant to even think it is a good idea to consider those called “saints.”

Maybe a part of that unease arises because we do not want to extoll the works of any individual as that which makes them worthy of a place in God’s kingdom. Rightly so, we are saved by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

Today is the celebration of “St. Martin of Tours, Pastor.” I thought it would be good to mention him today and remember him. Martin was born (316 AD) into a pagan family in that part of the world which is today call Hungary. He came to confess Christ as a young man. He joined the Roman army, but soon was called to serve his Lord by serving Christ’s church, and so he became a monk. It is said that he claimed to be “Christ’s soldier.”

Eventually, Martin was named the bishop of Tours in western Gaul , what is called France today. I was moved to consider it good to remember Martin today here “America’s Dairyland” because St. Martin is remembered for his simple lifestyle, and for his dogged determination to take the message of salvation in Christ, the Gospel, to this rural area of Gaul. Yes, St. Martin was a pastor to farmers.

We do not worship or pray to St. Martin, but we do remember him as an example to us of what it means to live our lives in faith in love and concern for all our neighbors. Whether a soldier or a pastor he was living his life in faith in Christ. Let us take the example St. Martin to see his passion to bring the Gospel of Christ to all people, especially to rural America. I pray that we would all see the importance of caring for our neighbors with the Gospel – especially those who feed our country – rural America – to pray for them, and the deliver to them the gifts of God’s grace.


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