The Collect
GRANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle (1 St. Peter iii. 8)
BE ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.
The Gospel (St. Luke v. 1)
IT came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Trinity V - Sermon Message in a Minute
When we read the New Testament we see that Christians are not to live in a system like Israel's where the laws of religion and the laws of government are identical. We are told we are really citizens of heaven and are only passing through here on earth. Because we are only passing through, and because any form of political order reflects God more accurately than anarchy does, we should obey the laws of the government where we happen to find ourselves living.
To this, Saint Paul teaches, "The powers that be are ordained of God." Saint Peter says, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." And remember that those two men lived when the Roman imperial government was actively hostile to Christianity and they both died martyrs' deaths because of it. Jesus tells Pontius Pilate, who is very impressed with his own power, "You would have no power at all over me if it had not been given to you from above."
All political power comes from the Lord. Obey the laws where you happen to live and remember the words of Jesus: "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
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