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The following comes from 'An Anglican Year' by Donald A. Foster (past Vicar of St. Germain's, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England) which was published in 1953:
To-day's Gospel reminds us of John the Baptist's preparation for Christ, and the kind of life we must lead at all times as a constant preparation for Him. So we pray that all clergy and ministers may remember and act on their primary task of lovingly preparing the hearts and minds of all people for Him, calling to repentance those who need to repent.
All of us, and especially those who are ordained ministers of the Gospel, are to remember, as St. Paul points out in to-day's Epistle, that there are three judgements on us— (1) by others, that people may look upon us as true ministers of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries, and find us faithful; (2) by ourselves, that we may judge our lives by Christ's standards ; and (3) by God, Who is the ultimate judge.
Let us pray, then. for all Christians, that they may be faithful, seeking to know Christ in prayer, Scripture and Sacrament.
Also let us pray for all ordained clergy and ministers, and especially those about to be ordained (Ember Days this week).
INTENTIONS:
Those to be ordained.
The ministry of the Church.
