Time in the Word:
Proper 15
Proper 15
11-16 August 2014
The Church Lives Under the Cross of Christ and Prays in the Hope of His Mercy
By her persistent prayer that Jesus would have mercy and
help her (Matthew 15:22, 24), and even in the face of His initial silence and
apparent rejection (Matthew 15:23–26), the Canaanite woman boldly confessed her
faith in Him (Matthew 15:28). Her beautiful example encourages us to cling to
the words and promises of the Gospel, even in the face of the Law that accuses
and condemns us. “For the gifts and the
calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 10:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for
the very purpose “that He may have mercy
on all” (Romans 10:32). Hence, the woman’s faith and hope were not
disappointed, but her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only
does He grant us the crumbs from His Table, but He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of
His Father (Matthew 15:26–27). He has brought us to His “holy mountain,” and He makes us joyful in His house, where He
hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His
cross (Isaiah 56:7).
Monday, 11 August 2014—Psalm
28:1–2 , 6–7 ; Antiphon, Psalm 28:8 —This psalm of David was probably written
during the rebellion of his son, Absalom. Recognizing that he is unable to
protect and redeem himself, David cries to the Lord, his Rock, to hear the voice of his
pleas for mercy, and then gives
thanks to the Lord for having heard and delivered him. Verse 8, used as the
antiphon, shows that God’s blessings extend to all His people.
Tuesday, 12 August 2014—Psalm
67 —All of the Propers of the day express the fact that
God’s salvation is for all people. The psalmist begins with the familiar Aaronic
blessing (Numbers 6:24–26 ),
a blessing originally applied to the children of Israel, but then extends it to
all people: that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all
nations.
Wednesday, 13 August 2014—Isaiah 56:1 , 6–8 —Writing about 700 years before Christ, Isaiah
prophesies of the Lord: Soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance will
be revealed. The Lord’s salvation and righteousness have been revealed in
the person of Jesus Christ. Because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for all,
regardless of race, the Lord is pleased to gather to Himself people of all
nations and races, and accepts their offerings and sacrifices: My house
shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Thursday, 14 August 2014—Romans 11:1–2a , 13–15 , 28–32 —St
Paul recounts how salvation is from the Jews (for Jesus was a Jew), but that it
extends to all peoples, even to the Gentiles. Indeed, he laments over the fact
that his people have now been disobedient by rejecting the Savior, but
hopes that they may yet be saved.
Friday, 15 August 2014—Matthew 15:21–28 —In Sunday’s Gospel account, Jesus
heals the daughter of one who was despised by the Jews of His day—a Cannanite
woman. Jesus shows that His ministry is not limited to the Jews; it extends to
all people. Like the woman, we are all poor beggars before the Lord, and are
privileged to receive His crumbs of mercy, for even His crumbs are more than
sufficient for us.
Get this woman off my
back!
The disciples show great compassion…Not! They say concerning
this Canaanite woman, “Send her away! She
keeps crying out after us!” How did Jesus feel about her? At first he
ignores her, Then He insults her by calling her a dog!
No one likes someone who nags. Yet, she uses her nagging to
get a cure for her daughter! Could we learn something from her today?
This woman had no right to nag.
- She was a woman with no
rights Vv. 21-22
- She was a gentile with no
claim on the Jews. Vs.26
- She was a pagan, a devotee
of a false religion. Vs.22
This woman had reason to nag.
- She had a serious need.
Vs. 22
- She had humility. Vv.
25-26
- She had faith. Vs. 28
Saturday, 16 August 2014—The hymn of the day, In
Christ There Is No East or West (LSB #653), reflects the theme of the readings: that, according to the
order of salvation in Christ, there is no difference between any of the people
of His Church. All man-made distinctions are gone as regards His forgiveness:
Jew/Gentile, black/white, male/female, Anglo/Hispanic, etc. The Body of Christ,
the Church, comes from all nations. Indeed, even our liturgy reflects this, as
it is drawn from Jewish, African, and European sources. Likewise, our hymns
come from many cultures across many ages.
Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children
many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation grant
us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God,
now and forever. Amen
Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children
many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation
grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Prayer for the
mission of the Church: Almighty God, You have called Your Church to
witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your
Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who
hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns…
Prayer for the
mission of the Church and her missionaries: Almighty and gracious
God, You want all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Magnify the power of the Gospel in the hearts of Your faithful people that Your
Church may spread the good news of salvation. Protect, encourage, and bless all
missionaries who proclaim the saving cross that Christ, being lifted up, may
draw all people to Himself, who lives and reigns…
Prayer for those
outside the Church: Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the
death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for
those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, and turn them from their
false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy Church
to the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives
and reigns…
Prayer for unity
of faith: O God, Your infinite love restores to the right way those
who err, seeks the scattered, and preserves those whom You have gathered. Of
Your tender mercy pour out on Your faithful people the grace of unity that, all
schisms being ended, Your flock may be gathered to the true Shepherd of Your
Church and may serve You in all faithfulness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
our Lord, who lives and reigns…
Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on
Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House
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