Today is the Commemoration
of Joseph of Arimathea,
This Joseph, mentioned in
all four Gospels, came from a small village called Arimathea in the hill country
of Judea. He was a respected member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious
council in Jerusalem.
He was presumably wealthy, since he owned his own unused tomb in a garden not
far from the site of Jesus’ crucifixion (Mt 27:60). Joseph, a man waiting expectantly
for the kingdom of God, went to Pontius Pilate after the death of Jesus and
asked for Jesus’ body (Mk 15:43). Along with Nicodemus, Joseph removed the body
and placed it in the tomb (John 19:39). Their public devotion contrasted
greatly to the fearfulness of the disciples who had abandoned Jesus.
Collect of the Day:
Merciful God, your servant
Joseph of Arimathea prepared the body of our Lord and Savior for burial with
reverence and godly fear and laid him in his own tomb. As we follow the example of Joseph, grant to
us, your faithful people, that same grace and courage to love and serve Jesus
with sincere devotion all the days of our lives.
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