Friday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Luke 12:13-21— Under the theme “Possessed by possessions,” Jesus teaches that possessions can cause a man to lose his soul.

Earthly wealth in terms of one’s possessions is not indicative of a strong and abiding faith. It may prove the opposite to be the case as one’s wealth becomes his idol.    

In the parable of the rich fool Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”; which runs contrary to popular American Evangelicalism which equates wealth with faith.  

If life does not consist of material goods, of what does life consist? Most people feel that money is the key to real living. After winning the Irish Sweepstakes, a woman exclaimed, “Now I’m going to start living!” People need to know what makes life worthwhile.

Luke will remind us (See Luke 9:51; 19:28) that Jesus’ ministry was a journey to Jerusalem and the cross. As He went, however, our Lord revealed Himself by mighty deeds of mercy and especially in this section of the gospel, by teaching. Although it is difficult to determine the exact geographical and chronological context of the various episodes in this section of Luke’s gospel, each of them exemplified an aspect of Christ’s ministry as first defined in Luke 4:18, “to preach the Gospel to the poor.”  In this particular reading Jesus teaches us that the Gospel is not a message concerning earthly possessions.

Notice the repeated use of the pronoun “My”; “my fruits,” “my barn,” “my goods,” “my soul.”  This man never sees beyond himself. He makes himself his own god. Furthermore, he never sees beyond this world. Also his plans are made on the basis of life in this world.  Jesus calls this man “senseless,” “without reason,” “without reflection or intelligence.” He is without reason, because this night his is to e demanded of him. To whom will his possessions belong then? He has said, “My fruits,” and “my goods.”  Now he is to be dispossessed at once. Life does not consist of having possessions, but in having union with Christ.  

For proper use of wealth: Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 8: Hear us, O God in each unspoken prayer, as our hands reach out toward Thee, and we are still with awe before the sureness and the greatness of Thy love. Open our ears that the deep silence at the heart of life may be to us what Thou wouldst have it, the very sound o Thy passing; and take the dullness of our soul away. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen [3]

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[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©  WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for the proper use of wealth, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 8, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Thursday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Colossians 3:1-11— Under the theme “possessed by possessions” Paul instructs heavenly values are to be sought rather than earthly vices.

A Christian seeks to acquire heavenly virtues and shuns earthly vices. Many live according to earthly values. Usual folks walk with heads down, seeing worldly things, and thinking negative thoughts.

A Christian lives with his feet planted in two worlds – in this world of materials and vices, and in a higher world of heavenly values where Christ is. Since Christ has ascended, we on earth look to Him for our values, goals, and ideals while on earth. Our lives are impoverished by preoccupation with worldly values leading us into negative thoughts and wicked actions. The wagon of life needs to be hitched to the star of Christ.

A person’s life has meaning only as one is united to Jesus Christ; His life and merit. The way in which the individual actually exercises that union in Christ will be seen in day-to-day conduct. One’s spiritual vision should focus on the heavenly realm. The priorities of life should reflect this new higher connection to Christ.

For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 8: We beseech Thee, O Lord, to guide Thy Church with Thy perpetual governance; that it may walk warily in times of quiet, and boldly in times of trouble. Amen –An Ancient Collect

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[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©  WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for steadfast faith, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Wednesday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26— Under the theme “Possessed by possessions,” wise King Solomon speaks of the vanity of possessions.

The vanity of accumulating wealth and leaving it to one who did not work for it. To get property, financial security, and a sizeable nest-egg, one usually must work hard and long for it, unless he inherited a fortune. To get ahead financially, a husband may work night and day, hold more than one job, and his wife may work, too. The question must often come to these people’s minds: Is it worth the work? Are our material desires and standards too high? Are we missing out on the better things of life by giving all our time and effort to making money? Our lesson speaks to these questions.

In our reading the realist attitude, the voice speaking from experience, stands out. The Preacher has painful lessons to share. Firs, what point is there in pursuing earthly success as if it would last? None. The fruits of labor, the spoils, go to the survivors. You can’t take it with you! (See Vv. 18-19)

More intellectual efforts produce nothing more permanent. All is left behind when a person dies. Wisdom, knowledge, skills all do not carry over. (See Vv.20-21) And even though God gives rest, fretting over the futility already described and tossing and turning turns that opportunity for relief into still one more fleeting moment in life. (See Vv. 22-23)

Verses 25-26 end an otherwise rather somber section on an upbeat note. The fruits of life’s labors and the intellectual efforts are all described as vanity because the sole character involved was the individual living under the sun. From the myopic perspective one sees only despair. Verse 25 brings us back to God and clearly points to Him as the one who makes the difference between an anchorless life adrift in emptiness and a life anchored by trust, mindful of God’s larger perspective and total control above the sun.

A Collect during the Pentecost season: O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 13: O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever.[2]

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[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©  WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collects taken from Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Tuesday prior to Proper 13

 

[1]

Psalm 100— Praise God. His mercy endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. “The Lord is God” and “The Lord is Good.” Let the whole earth sing and be glad.

Psalm 100 – A Psalm of thanksgiving for all lands

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of Thanksgiving, and it is the only psalm in the collection to bear this title. It speaks of an invitation to the whole earth to know and to worship God. “It is jubilant with confidence for the whole earth, as it contemplates the glory of that earth, when all its people are submitted to the reign of Jehovah.” (G. Campbell Morgan) [2]

Collect for Psalm 100: God our Father, you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Help us always to give you thanks, for you alone are worthy of thanksgiving and praise and honor now and forever. Amen [3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 8:  O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor. Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen [4]

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[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©  WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-100/

[3] Collect for Psalm 100, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] ibid

Monday prior to Proper 13

[1]

Psalm49:7-8, 13-14a, 15; antiphon, Psalm 49:1-2 God is the owner of the earth and all that is therein. In giving to God we merely return that which is His own. The vanity of life is explained in this psalm. Also this psalm teaches that death comes to all. This psalm is similar to Psalm 39. Psalm 49 is a meditation on life and death. A typical piece of wisdom on life’s inequalities. At the end of the line death waits for the materialist not even he can buy himself off. The “moral” is similar to that of Jesus’ parable of the rich man found in Sunday’s gospel.

The theme for this coming week is “possessed by possessions”. In the Gospel lesson (Luke 12:13-21) Jesus refuses to champion the cause of one who wants his inheritance and goes on to teach by a parable that in the pursuit of wealth one can lose one’s soul. In the Old Testament lesson, (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-26) the theme of vanity is shown when a man works hard to accumulate wealth only to leave it to one who did not work for it. In the Epistle lesson (Colossians 3:1-11) Paul gives us a contrast between heavenly virtues and earthly vices which are to be shunned.

Psalm 49 – What money can’t buy

As are many of the songs in Book Two of the Psalter, this psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. These sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time it seems they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).

“The teaching of the song is simple, and sublime, present, and perpetual.” (G. Campbell Morgan) “This psalm touches the high-water mark of Old Testament faith in a future life.” (Alexander Maclaren)[2] 

Collect for Psalm 49: Lord Jesus, you condemned the rich because they have already received their regard, and you proclaimed the poor blessed because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Teach us to seek imperishable goods and to have confidence in your blood, poured out as the price of our redemption, and to you be the glory now and forever, Amen [3]

 

Collect for Monday of the Week of Pentecost 8: Father, let the gifts of your life continue to grow in us, drawing us from death to faith, hope, and love. Keep us alive in Christ Jesus. Keep us watchful in prayer and true to his teaching till your glory is revealed in us. Amen [4]

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[1] The Crucifixion Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcut copyright ©  WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-49/

[3] Collect for Psalm 49, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] ibid

 

Proper 13 Series C study notes

Proper 13C

(July 31-August 6)

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26

Colossians 3:1–11

Luke 12:13–21

O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Faith in Christ Is Rich toward God

 

To live for earthly things “is vanity and a striving after wind,” and work that is driven by such vanity “is an unhappy business” (Ecclesiastes 1:13–14). The man who lives like that has nothing to show for “all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun. … All his days are full of sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 2:22–23). So, too, your “covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5), makes a god out of that which cannot give you life or happiness. For “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). But “Christ who is your life” (Colossians 3:4), in giving you Himself, gives you all the wealth of heaven. Instead of striving to lay up treasures for yourself, be “rich toward God” in Him (Luke 12:21).

 

Rich towards God

Pr. Daniel J. Brege

Sin is especially seen in selfishness.  As we worship and magnify self, God and our neighbor are pushed out of our lives. Thus they are not loved, and love is the fulfillment of the law.  Jesus thus warns in Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 12:13-21), “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”   Our self-worshiping lovelessness is clearly detected by the evidence of our covetous (greedy) hearts.

At first glance the parable of the wealthy farmer seems to have little meaning.  Every farmer wants his land to be productive, as was the case for the man in the parable. There is nothing inherently wrong with being wealthy; faithful Abraham and faithful Job are examples of wealthy Christians.  Additionally there is nothing wrong with building larger barns and there is nothing wrong with storing one’s goods in such barns.  It is not necessarily wrong to “eat, drink and be merry”, for this can even be something wonderful (Eccl. 8:15; Luke 15:23).

To understand the parable the context must be observed.  Preceding the parable Jesus states, “…one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Thus the parable teaches how easily one can be caught up in the wrong-headed thinking that life does consist in “my” possessions.  After the parable Jesus explains, “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  From the parable we realize that to be “rich toward God” does not mean having all kinds of money and things. Being “rich toward God” foundationally means having faith and trust in God.  Thus the man Jesus was rich toward God, having perfect faith/trust in the providence of His God and Father.  Such faith culminated in Jesus giving up all his possessions—even his life—ultimately dying on the cross.  Christians realize Christ did this to earn forgiveness—even for our sins of covetousness.  We are now “rich toward God” when we have (as a gift) a Christ-like faith/trust in God, with such trust in God including a repentant faith, a faith that, upon confessing sin, receives the forgiveness earned by Christ.

A second aspect of being “rich toward God” consists in our God-generated love for our neighbor.  The Lord Jesus had this wealth beyond measure as He gave His life as a ransom for even His enemies.  The wealthy farmer in the parable had none of this wealth; he was only rich toward self.  Jesus shows the omission of the farmer’s love toward his neighbor as He repeatedly uses the little word “my” in the parable.  

The farmer confesses self:  “my crops”  “my barns” “my grain”  “my goods”.  Both faith in God the provider and the resultant love toward neighbor are absent in the “me-centered” rich man of the parable.  This lovelessness toward the neighbor is also conveyed by the little word “all”.  In his new barn the wealthy farmer says, “I will store all my grain and my goods.”  None of his wealth will go to his neighbor; it’s all mine!

Appropriately Jesus follows the parable with statements summarizing being “rich toward God”.  He first describes faith/trust in God the provider, climaxing with the salvation promise:  “Fear not, little flock, for it is our Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  

Secondly the Lord Jesus describes our love toward our neighbor:  “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.”  May the Spirit grant us grace to be “rich toward God”, trusting His temporal and eternal providence in Christ, and loving our neighbor with our God-given wealth.

 

The Parable of the Rich Fool

 

Luke 12:13

Εἶπεν δέ τις ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου αὐτῷ· Διδάσκαλε, εἰπὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ μου μερίσασθαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ τὴν κληρονομίαν.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

 

-         He is expecting a certain outcome.

  

Luke 12:14

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἄνθρωπε, τίς με κατέστησεν κριτὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;

But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

 

-         Jesus does not teach about the way, He is THE WAY, to be the reconciler and mediator.

 

-         People want something from Jesus rather than Jesus Himself.

 

-         Do not worry about what you will get from the dead guy. What will you do when you’re the dead guy?

 

Luke 12:15

εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· Ὁρᾶτε καὶ φυλάσσεσθε ἀπὸ πάσης πλεονεξίας, ὅτι οὐκ ἐν τῷ περισσεύειν τινὶ ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ἐκ τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτῷ.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

 

-         Not in the abundance of one’s possessions does one’s life exist.

 

-         Remember, riches attract greed!

 

Luke 12:16

εἶπεν δὲ παραβολὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα.

And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully,

 

Luke 12:17

καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· Τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου;

and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’

 

-         He argued within himself. A negative argument. He wants to keep it all for himself.

 

Luke 12:18

καὶ εἶπεν· Τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα ὸν σῖτον καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου,

And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

 

-         I will build even bigger barns.

 

Luke 12:19

καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· Ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου.

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

 

-         You eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we live!

 

-         Ψυχή – the whole person – body and soul.

 

-         See the temptation in the garden, “you will be like God!”

 

Luke 12:20

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ θεός· Ἄφρων, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας, τίνι ἔσται;

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

 

-         On this night, your soul (all of you) will be demanded of you.

  

Luke 12:21

οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ καὶ μὴ εἰς θεὸν πλουτῶν.

So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 

-         Where does God hide today? He hides in the neighbor.

 

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

LCMS lectionary summaries © 2016 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Collect for Proper 13 Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lutheran Senior Care Reflection

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Law/Gospel Theme:  The parable of the rich fool, can be  used to us teach about greed. Priorities. And trusting in God. 

The story highlights the dangers of accumulating wealth for oneself without considering others or God. 

Instead, the focus should be on building "treasures in heaven" by living generously and seeking God's kingdom. 

A question might be asked how do you receive JOY. It might sound simple but the answerer is to have Jesus first. Others second. And yourself last. When you do that.  You will have true joy. And the Joy Jesus gives - can never be taken away. 

In this world some might think the person with the most stuff wins! In our story for today Jesus teaches something completely different. When you put God first in your life. And avoid greed. By being grateful for the blessings He has already provided. You will see that grace beats greed every single time. 

In our story for today a man who thought he could be happy if he had a lot of things. Jesus reminded him of what should be the most important priorities. We should also remember what’s important in our lives. To always put God first.

Someone was trying to get Jesus to settle an argument. They were wanting to make sure they got a share of money. And they felt angry that they weren’t receiving it. 

This person asked Jesus to force the money on him. But Jesus gave an interesting answer. He wanted to make sure people did not place material things, over God.  And that’s why Jesus told this story.

If you have ever moved. It seems like when we must pack up everything we own, we often find things that we had forgotten about, or things that we don’t really even need. 

Some people manage to acquire so many things that they need to get bigger houses or get boxes or storage units to put their things into. 

In this story, the man had so many things that he had to build a bigger barn. 

He thought he could relax and enjoy life, but before the day was done his life was over! 

Jesus wanted to teach us that none of our material things will last forever. Jesus knew this and wanted to remind His listeners of how important it was. 

Our lives cannot rely on our stuff.  Your focus is  on the maker of all things, on God. Jesus reminded His people that God handles everything we need. 

We might not always have every little thing we think we want. But we will have what we NEED. God promises this!     

How can we build up treasures in Heaven? First, we recognize that this world is not our home. There isn’t a problem with having nice things. It’s only an issue when we make those things the most important part of our lives. 

We want to recall all that God has blessed us with. We want to put Him first and foremost. We need to place priority on God and His people. 

Many years ago, a reporter asked billionaire John D. Rockefeller, “How much is enough?” His famous reply: “Just a little bit more.” 

Wise King Solomon. Who possessed wealth of wisdom that surpassed his great wealth of riches, shows the futility of such thinking. 

Riches can be a blessing. But if they are allowed to control a person. They become a curse. 

Trusting in money more than in the One who provides the material blessings is idolatry.

To love and trust in earthly wealth is vanity. For nothing of this earth will last forever. Nor can any of it grant eternal life. (Ecclesiastes 5:10). 

But the one who trusts in God is “occupied with joy in his heart” and is able to sleep in peace, “whether he eats little or much,” because he knows that the “days of his life” are “the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:12, 18–20).  

The person who trusts only in riches cannot sleep. Because he “shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:15). 

It is by the voluntary poverty of Christ that we enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus reminds us that nothing lasts forever. A job does not last forever. Things will not last forever. This earth will not last forever. It will all pass away. 

But the Good news is that Heaven and the Kingdom of God will last forever!  And because you are a part of God’s family we have this promise of life forever with Jesus. 

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care.  Thank you for the words and promises. Help us have true joy in following you above all things. 

Source

Ministry to Children Sunday School Lesson (Luke 12:13-21) Parable of the Rich Foolish Man 

 

Saturday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11 – The hymn of study this week is “Come, My Soul, with Every Care” (LSB 779). In every need in every circumstance take it to the Lord in prayer.

Come, my soul, with ev'ry care;
Jesus loves to answer prayer.
He himself bids you to pray.
He will never turn away,

You are coming to a king--
large petitions with you bring.
For his grace and pow'r are such,
none can ever ask too much,

With my burden I begin:
Lord, remove this load of sin;
let your blood, for sinners spilt,
set my conscience free from guilt,

Lord, your rest to me impart;
take possession of my heart.
There your blood-bought right maintain,
and without a rival reign,

While I am a pilgrim here,
let your love my spirit cheer.
As my guide, my guard, my friend,
lead me to my journey's end, 

Show me what I have to do;
ev'ry hour my strength renew.
I would have your will, not mine;
for it's perfect, good, and kind,

 

John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but his godly mother died when he was seven, and he joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumul­tuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist.[2]

For the right understanding of Christ: Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life, grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life that following His steps we may steadfastly walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.[3]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 7: Father, grant us insight, so that we may look deep into your Word, and not cling to superficial or shallow understandings. Grant us to focus that we may not be mesmerized by shadows or illusions, but concentrate on the substance of Your Word, and this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen (Anonymous) [4]

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[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://hymnary.org/text/come_my_soul_with_ever_care

[3] Collect for the right understanding of Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[4] Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Friday prior to Proper 12

[1]

Luke 11:1-13— Jesus gives the Lord’s Prayer and teaches persistence in prayer. It is common practice for many to ask once and forget it. How long should we pray for something? Is unanswered prayer a “no” answer? In the Gospel for Sunday Jesus teaches that there is no limit to the number of times we pray. The friend wanting bread comes at midnight when his friend is in bed. The man wanting to borrow bread kept asking and pounding until in desperation he got out of bed and gave the food. It wasn’t because of friendship but because his friend would not quit bothering him. He would not take “No” for an answer. Jesus teaches that we should ask, see, and finally knock to get what we want. Persistence in prayer is necessary.

In direct response to the request by the disciples that He teach them to pray Jesus gives them the Lord’s Prayer. The small divergences between the form of the Lord’s Prayer here and that in Matthew’s Gospel are an indication that the essential point is not an exact repetition of the words. In this lesson which emphasis is placed upon relationship here. God is identified as “father.” The disciples do not come to someone out of who gifts have to be unwillingly extracted, but to a father who delights to supply his children’s needs.

Jesus offers a most excellent illustration pertaining to persistent prayer. Since the whole family slept in one room, it was a great imposition to disturb the householder, because it involved disturbing and rousing the whole family. Not only did the midnight visitor disturb, he knocked on with “shameless persistence,” until the householder acquiesced in the requests of the determined borrower. To the petitions of the disciples Jesus gives the definite promise that their prayers will be heard and draws attention to the best gift of all, His Holy Spirit.  

For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 7: Grant us, O God, to hear Thy voice; and in hearing Thy voice, to love Thy Word; and in loving Thy Word, to do Thy will. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen [3] 

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[1] Lift High the Cross copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for a steadfast faith in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

St. James the Elder, Apostle (July 25)

 

Acts 11:27–12:5
Romans 8:28–39
Mark 10:35–45

St. James the Elder, Apostle 

The sons of Zebedee ask for seats at Jesus’ right and left in glory (Mark 10:37). But they do not know what they are asking (Matt. 20:22), for God’s kingdom is not of glory and power but the cross. We will bear ours after Him. For His sake we are killed and regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all this we are more than conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:36–37), for Jesus’ death is unique. He alone is baptized with our sin and drinks the cup of God’s wrath against it (Mark 10:38). We live in service to our neighbors after His example; but He alone is the Son of Man, come to give His life as a ransom for many (v. 45). 

Today the Church commemorates the fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy about James, killed with Herod’s sword (Acts 12:2). He is honored as the first apostle to be conformed to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29). But what is that when Christ Jesus has died—more than that, is raised—and is at the right hand of God, interceding for us? Nothing (not even a sword)can separate James and us from the love of Christ (v. 34–35).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship