Text: Romans 3:19-28
Date: Reformation Day (Observed) + 10/26/14
On the eve of All Saints Day, “all hallow’ds e’en” 1517, Martin Luther nailed to the door of the Castle Church the “Ninety-five Theses or Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” in Latin inviting scholarly and Christian debate on his discovery of the Gospel, the good news of the free forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life as pure gift of God. It began: Continue reading “The Free Gift”
Text: Matthew 22:15-22
Date: Pentecost XIX Proper 24 + 10/19/14
“Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death? I do, by the grace of God. Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it? I do, by the grace of God” (Confirmation, LSB 273). So you said, so you pledged at the confirmation of your Holy Baptism. Continue reading “Dual Citizenship”
Text: Matthew 22:1-14
Date: Pentecost XVIII Proper 23a + 10/12/14
Still attempting to reach out to save the religious officials who would shortly manage His execution, Jesus speaks to them another parable. It is an obvious warning not to refuse or despise God’s offer of grace in and through Jesus. That same warning is repeated today for our sakes. For there is a lot of refusal and despising of God’s Word in the world today, even in the various dark corners of our own hearts. Some will die eternally for refusing to repent of their sin and believe in God’s saving grace. Others, including you and me, will continue to agree with God’s law, repent anew of our sin and carry on in faith relying on God’s promised salvation. Continue reading “This is the Feast”
Text: Matthew 21:33-46
Date: Pentecost XVII Proper 22 + 10/5/14
It’s October. We are nearing a very interesting time of the liturgical year, namely, the end. In this first year of the three-year lectionary St. Matthew has been guiding us telling us what we need to know about our Savior, Jesus Christ. He began as we would expect, listing Jesus’ genealogy in a way that suggests He is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises of salvation from Abraham to Mary and Joseph of Bethlehem. In Advent we hear of the purpose of His coming and then celebrate the miraculous mystery of the incarnation of the Second Person of God the Holy Trinity in the Christ Mass. Our chapter by chapter walk with Matthew begins in the green Sundays of Epiphany where we review the beginning of His earthly ministry of preaching, teaching and healing, Matthew chapters 3, 4, and 5. Continue reading “For Us”
