September 15, – Tuesday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Psalm 27:1-9 - This week’s Psalm is David’s triumphant prayer to God to deliver him from all those who conspire to bring him down. The prayer presupposes the Lord’s covenant with David. It is faith which publicly testifies to the Psalmist’s confident reliance on the Lord.

When it got dark in biblical times, they lit lamps -- not the brilliant LED lanterns you can purchase today, but simple pottery lamps, with a single wick and flame, casting just enough light to see a short ways ahead. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” If we follow God’s will, we do not know what the road will look like in a few miles or years. God gives us just a pottery lamp’s worth of light, just enough to take a few more steps. You have to trust God with that kind of light.

“The Lord is my light; whom shall I fear?” We fear the future -- but with God as our light, that small flicker banishes the darkness, and we are not alone.

“One thing I asked of the Lord; that will I seek after; to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple” (verse 4) is one of the Bible’s most eloquent, emotionally powerful, visionary verses, well worth memorizing, or installing as your life’s mission statement, etching it into the core of your soul.

So many pregnant phrases in Psalm 27 beg for reflection.

“Now my head is lifted up” (verse 6) -- that we do not hang our heads any longer, but look forward, with dignity, because of God's salvation.

“Your face, Lord, do I seek” (verse 8) -- for we do not seek some vague, ephemeral deity, but a God with a human face, the compassionate, strong face of Jesus, God become like us.

“I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,” (verse 13) -- that faith is not merely about the pledge of eternal life in another world, but it is in this world, not merely some spiritual realm, but the real, physical world, in my body, in my neighborhood, in politics, in economics, everywhere that is anywhere now.[1]

Prayer for Psalm 27 – Gracious Father, protector of those who hope in you, You heard the cry of your Son and kept him safe in your shelter in the day of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in times of trouble may see your goodness in the land of he living; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

 

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[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1872

 

[2] Collect for Psalm 27, For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol.2 © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

 

September 14 – Monday prior to Pentecost 17 (Proper 20)

 

Psalm 116:12-13, 15 - Antiphon, verse 17: “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” – This psalm is a song of deliverance from death. David or another king such as Hezekiah may have written it. (See Isaiah 38:10-20)

Isaiah sets the tone reminding us Hezekiah was sick and near death.  Isaiah the prophet went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'"

The King responds, “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?”   Death is no respecter of persons. It will strike at any time to persons young and old alike, even those in the prime of their life.

Hezekiah had looked forward to a long life, and to a prosperous and peaceful reign. Then he became ill and everything changed. Sickness often has this effect on the minds of people. It changes our focus.

Hezekiah did recover and went on to purify and repair the Temple, purged its idols, and reformed the priesthood. He is one of the kings mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 1:10)

Recovery from illness, from trauma and stress can have a profound effect on people. It brings back to our memory the times in which the Lord was with us as we recall His guiding hand.  

Today is Holy Cross Day. A day we remember our Savior; the wounded healer who carried our sin and sickness to the cross. Isaiah would later write, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” -Isaiah 53:4-6

As you recall the mercies of your Savior respond with words of praise and acts of mercy to your neighbor. For the Lord has had mercy upon us.

Prayer for Holy Cross (September 14) – Merciful God Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon a cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him;[1]

Prayer for Psalm 116 – God of power and mercy, through the Passion and resurrection of your Son you have freed us from the bonds of death and the anguish of separation from you. Be with us on our pilgrimage, and help us offer you a sacrifice of praise, fulfill our vows, and glorify you in the presence of all your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [2]

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[1] Collect for Holy Cross, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

[2] Collect for Psalm 116, For All the Saints A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol.2 © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Proper 20 (Pentecost 17)

 

Proper 20

Series A 

Isaiah 55:6–9

Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30

Matthew 20:1–16

 

Disciples Live in Their Vocations by Grace through Faith in Christ

 

Those who are sent as “laborers for his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1) depict the wide diversity of vocations to which the disciples of Christ Jesus are called. Whatever our particular stations in life may be, we are called to live and serve by faith in His promises. Our labors do not merit anything before Him, for He is already generous to one and all without partiality. In mercy He has chosen to bear “the burden of the day and the scorching heat” on our behalf, to make us equal to Himself and to give us what belongs to Him, that is, the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 20:12–15). This way of the Lord is foolishness to the world and foreign to our thoughts, but He draws near, so that “he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6), “he may have compassion” and “abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). So it is that we are found in Christ Jesus, and He is honored in our bodies, “whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20), by “fruitful labor” (Philippians 1:22) or by suffering. It is by faith in His forgiveness that our works are “worthy of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

In the Lessons for this week the Gospel, as usual, gives the key to the theme of the day. When a payment time comes for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the Kingdom whether we enter early or late. They who return to the Lord (Old Testament reading) will receive mercy and pardon. In the Epistle lesson, Paul says he does not know whether to live or die, because death would mean a closer relationship with Christ, his greatest reward. The Lord is good to all. The suggested Psalm relates to the Old Testament lesson –“seek the Lord.”

Collect for Proper 20 “Lord God heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace and live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who live4s and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen

Matthew 20:1-16

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard in the Gospel lesson for this coming week reminds us that God’s generosity is equal to all. When payment time came for the laborers in the vineyard, it was learned that each was to receive equal pay regardless of hours worked. The reward is the same in the kingdom whether we enter early or late. The thief on the cross receives the same reward as the faithful Christian who lives eighty plus years. Are we to spurn God’s generosity? 

Laborers in the Vineyard

20:1

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

Ὁμοία γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐξῆλθεν ἅμα πρωῒ μισθώσασθαι ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

20:2 

After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius[a] a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

συμφωνήσας δὲ μετὰ τῶν ἐργατῶν ἐκ δηναρίου τὴν ἡμέραν ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα αὐτοῦ.

20:3 

And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

καὶ ἐξελθὼν περὶ τρίτην ὥραν εἶδεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ ἀργούς·

20:4 

and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 

καὶ ἐκείνοις εἶπεν· Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα, καὶ ὃ ἐὰν ᾖ δίκαιον δώσω ὑμῖν·

20:5 

So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 

οἱ δὲ ἀπῆλθον. [b]πάλιν ἐξελθὼν περὶ ἕκτην καὶ ἐνάτην ὥραν ἐποίησεν ὡσαύτως.

20:6 

And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 

περὶ δὲ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ἐξελθὼν εὗρεν ἄλλους ἑστῶτας, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τί ὧδε ἑστήκατε ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἀργοί;

20:7 

They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 

λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Ὅτι οὐδεὶς ἡμᾶς ἐμισθώσατο. λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὑπάγετε καὶ ὑμεῖς εἰς τὸν [e]ἀμπελῶνα.

20:8 

And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 

ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης λέγει ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος τῷ ἐπιτρόπῳ αὐτοῦ· Κάλεσον τοὺς ἐργάτας καὶ ἀπόδος [f]αὐτοῖς τὸν μισθὸν ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τῶν ἐσχάτων ἕως τῶν πρώτων.

20:9 

And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 

καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ περὶ τὴν ἑνδεκάτην ὥραν ἔλαβον ἀνὰ δηνάριον. 

20:10 

Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 

καὶ ἐλθόντες οἱ πρῶτοι ἐνόμισαν ὅτι [i]πλεῖον λήμψονται· καὶ ἔλαβον [j]τὸ ἀνὰ δηνάριον καὶ αὐτοί.

20:11 

And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 

λαβόντες δὲ ἐγόγγυζον κατὰ τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου 

20:12 

saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’

λέγοντες· Οὗτοι οἱ ἔσχατοι μίαν ὥραν ἐποίησαν, καὶ ἴσους [l]αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν ἐποίησας τοῖς βαστάσασι τὸ βάρος τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν καύσωνα 

20:13 

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς [m]ἑνὶ αὐτῶν εἶπεν· Ἑταῖρε, οὐκ ἀδικῶ σε· οὐχὶ δηναρίου συνεφώνησάς μοι;  

20:14 

Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε· θέλω δὲ τούτῳ τῷ ἐσχάτῳ δοῦναι ὡς καὶ σοί·

20:15 

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’[b] 

οὐκ ἔξεστίν μοι [o]ὃ θέλω ποιῆσαι ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς; [p]ἢ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι;

20:16 

So the last will be first, and the first last.”

οὕτως ἔσονται οἱ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι [q]ἔσχατοι.

Footnotes:

Matthew 20:2 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer

Matthew 20:15 Or is your eye bad because I am good?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked SBLGNT are from The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

– Romans 14:1-12 Forgiven for Jesus' sake, we are the Lord’s

Christian Forgive!  As the Lord Forgives You

In settling His accounts with us. Our Lord acts not with anger. But with compassion. He does not imprison you. As you deserve.  Rather He forgives.  All your debts.  And releases you.[1] Therefore, our Lord bids each of us to have “mercy on your fellow servant.”

As for you? "Forgive your brother from your heart.”[2] 

1.     By the Lord’s forgiveness of your sins. You are now free to forgive those who sin against you.

 

A.        Because Jesus has been handed over to the jailers in your stead. He has paid your entire debt.  With His life. And with His blood. Luther put it this way, “two little words, “grace” and “peace”, contain a summary of all of Christianity. Grace contains the forgiveness of sins, a joyful peace, and a quiet conscience.

 

But peace is impossible unless sin has first been forgiven, for the Law accuses and terrifies the conscience on account of sin. And the sin that the conscience feels cannot be removed by pilgrimages, vigils, labors, efforts, vows, or any other works; in fact, sin is increased by works. The more we work and sweat to extricate ourselves from sin, the worse off we are. For there is no way to remove sin except by grace… 

 

Because the world does not understand this, it neither can nor will tolerate it. It brags about free will, about our powers, about our works – all these as means by which to earn and attain grace and peace, that is, forgiveness of sins and a joyful conscience.

 

But conscience cannot be quiet and joyful unless it has peace though this grace, that is, through the forgiveness of sins promised in Christ.[3]

   

B.        Whether we live or die. We "are the Lord’s.” v.8 We live unto the Lord.  We live to do His will. And to promote His glory. This is the grand purpose of the life of the Christian. Other people live to gratify themselves. The Christian has a higher purpose. To do those things which the Lord requires. And what does the Lord require of us? He requires of us to simply forgive. As the Lord has forgiven you.

C.        Paul puts it simply. Since you all will “stand before the judgment seat of God.” You are not to despise your brother." v 10 But gladly forgive him.

Transition:  We pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." And what does this simply mean?  We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worth of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

2. As you have been forgiven...forgive! 

A. By the grace of God.  You forgive your brother also. “For the Lord is able to make him stand.” V.4 You do not know your neighbor’s motives or intentions. It is not for you to condemn. Rather you forgive. As God in Christ has forgiven you. 

B. Though we daily sin against each other. And so often fail miserably on this account. To simply forgive. We ask God for the strength and the mercy to forgive.  

Notice how grace is played out. Even in a dysfunctional family as Joseph's. The Lord intends, “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.”[4]

The Lord knew there would be a famine. He placed Joseph in the position to save not only his family but an entire nation. But consider all Joseph had to endure.

He dreamt that his brothers' sheaves were bowing down to his own sheaves as they rose. His brothers hated him even more for this.  So much that they could not even speak civilly to him.

One afternoon, Joseph's father sent him to check on his brothers who were tending their flocks. When his brothers saw him, they quickly planned to kill him. Reuben suggested that they should not harm him. But only throw him in the cistern. God worked through Reuben to save Joseph's life. Judah later formulated the plan to sell Joseph to the Midianite merchants, who later sold him to Egypt.

Joseph was sold into slavery at the age of seventeen. The brothers convinced Jacob that Joseph was eaten by some wild beast. Jacob mourned for days. Jacob thought his favorite son had met such a tragic end. And all his sons could do was watch him mourn in silence. What could they say? 

Joseph was made a slave to an Egyptian master. But the master saw that God was with Joseph. And make him his attendant. Then Potiphar’s wife, one of Pharaoh's officials begged Joseph to sleep with her. Repeatedly! But God gave Joseph the strength to resist. One day, the wife lied to the pharaoh. She said Joseph had begged her to sleep with him. So the pharaoh sent Joseph to prison. But the prison warden saw that God was with Joseph and put him in charge.

 

Pharaoh saw that God was with Joseph and allowed Joseph back into his palace. He then made Joseph the king of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh King of Egypt. For seven years, Joseph traveled all throughout Egypt and stored up large quantities of grain.

When the abundance was over, the famine began and lasted for seven years. The people of Egypt were well-fed because they lived off of the grain Joseph stored. Soon, people all throughout the world were coming to pay for Joseph's grain.

 

When God had sent the famine onto Joseph's brothers again, their father allowed them to take Benjamin back to Egypt. Once they arrived and Joseph saw that Benjamin was there, he invited them for dinner. At the sight of all of his brothers, Joseph became so emotional. He had to leave the room to weep.

 

When it got to a point where he could no longer take it. Joseph admitted to his brothers that he was, in fact, their brother. And how long had it been since he had last seen his brothers? Close to a quarter century. Close to twenty-two years!  

 

He then warned them that the famine God had sent will last for five more years and invited them to live with him in the best of Egypt. He also gave them new clothes (five times more for Benjamin) and donkeys, and sent them on their way. He also instructed them to bring back his father.   

 

C.       Jesus speaks kindly by His Gospel and promises: “I will provide for you and your little ones.”[5]  Only in hindsight could Joseph see God working through every circumstance of his life. He could finally say to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

 

You might not always be able to see the big picture. Do you find forgiveness a hard thing to do? Consider Joseph. Yes God sees everything! He knows of the misery. The pain. The nasty words. Everything!  Never give up in forgiving others. If He could do it for Joseph. He can certainly do it for you!

 

Words – 1,325

Passive Sentences –6%

Readability – 82.7

Reading Level – 4.0

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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[1] Matthew 18:23–27 from the Gospel lesson

[2] Matthew 18:33, 35 from the Gospel lesson

[3] From We Pray, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis,© 2008, 2010

[4] Genesis 50:20 from the Old Testament lesson

[5] Genesis 50:21 from the Old Testament lesson

12 September 12— Saturday prior to Pentecost 16 (Proper 19)

 

The hymn of the day, I Lay My Sins on Jesus (LSB #606), is a hymn of great comfort, as we sing of our confession of all our sins—laying them on Jesus—and also as we sing of our absolution, our forgiveness—He bears them all and frees us from the accursed load. What a relief our forgiveness in Christ is! What Good News that God forgives us for Jesus’ sake and receives us into His kingdom.

This hymn was originally written by Horatius Bonar, who has been called the prince of the Scottish hymn writers. In it we are reminded of how God invites us to bring our sins to Jesus not just initially when we come to Christ for justification, but repeatedly as we continue to become trapped in the guilt and shame of our remaining sin. This hymn explores why we can bring our sins to Jesus, giving us peaceful trust that He is willing, able, and ready to forgive and restore sweet communion with Himself to us when we ask.

Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then was pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872[1]

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[1] https://hymnary.org/text/i_lay_my_sins_on_jesus

 

National Day of Remembrance

 National Day of Remembrance

For some of us the events of 9.11 will be forever etched in our minds. We can remember where we were, what we were doing. The thoughts the emotions we experienced the enormity of it all; as the events of that Tuesday morning in September played out before us on television. 

My children in particular, at the height of innocence saw their world change drastically in just a few short hours.  Lydia specifically was starting confirmation instruction when the twin towers of the World Trade Center were decimated. She would attend a memorial service commemorating the 10th Anniversary within weeks of moving to New York City. Today, students have no recollection of September 11, 2001. They were yet to be born. There is now an entire generation raised in a post-9.11 world.  

How has our society, our culture changed in these past twenty-five years?  Do we become righteously indignant at the abuses of our society? Dr. King dreamed of a day in America where men would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Sadly that day has not yet arrived. We give lip service to the concept that all men are created equal. Why then are the rich seemingly more equal than others?  Why afflict the poor? And reward only the wealthy?

When it comes to a solution we must realize that it depends on more than one person’s efforts or one response to correct the condition. It is not merely a national and a societal problem which needs our attention. It is a spiritual struggle. As such, Paul urges us to pray. That we may have a society where there is peace and righteousness.  

Because Christ our Savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, He urges that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. Christians should so pray without anger or quarreling. But adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control. For the Lord does not forget the poor of the land. (Amos 8:4) He remembers them according to the foolishness of the cross. And that, my friends, is what causes us to pray.

For a better world we are commanded to pray.  We pray for our secular leaders and for the good of society.  The Apostle Paul teaches: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1Timothy 2Vv. 1-2

We pray for all to come to God through Christ. He desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2Vv.3-4

Today, on this National Day of Remembrance we pause to consider the necessity of prayer. Paul urges us to pray for all people, especially those in high positions; that we may have that kind of world in which the gospel can flourish. Paul urges us to pray with lifted hands; lifted up to the Source of our help. He urges us to pray with open hand; to receive what we ask in faith. Paul encourages us to pray with holy hands; free from hatred and anger instead, filled with forgiveness and love.

As Christians, we act as we are given to do. We pray for our nation, for our society and our culture. We pray for our neighbors and our families. We pray for that peace which only Christ can give. We pray for opportunities to trumpet the Gospel for this is the desire of our Father who wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. If there is to be peace it will come only through the prince of peace Jesus Christ our Savior who gave Himself as a ransom for all. 

That His peace may permeate a world gone mad with violence…let us pray to the Lord.

A Prayer for peace in the world: Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and, according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding; 

A Prayer for our enemies: Forgive, we implore You, O Lord, our enemies, and so change their hearts that they may walk with us in sincerity and peace; 

A Prayer for good government; Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

September 11— Friday prior to Pentecost 16 (Proper 19)

 Matthew 18:21–35—When we hear this parable, our first reaction is probably the same as the king’s: indignation and fury against the servant who was unmerciful, especially after he had been forgiven a far greater debt. We must ask ourselves: Are we like the unmerciful servant? God has forgiven all our sins at great cost—the life of His own Son. We ought to examine ourselves: Is there anyone against whom we hold a grudge, refusing to forgive because we have been wronged? If so, we are like the unmerciful servant. Rather, we ought to remember the Lord’s Prayer, where we plead, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. That is, we beg God’s forgiveness and then pledge that we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

When faced with the option of forgiving or not forgiving there can be one answer – you forgive. My forgiveness does not hinge on my desire, my feelings, or even my wiliness to forgive. My forgiveness finds its basis on what Jesus has said to me. When someone sins against you – you, yes you are the one who must forgive.

The Greek word for “forgive” means literally “to erase or wipe out.” Because Christians are imperfect human beings, the church is in need of forgiveness. Without it, members would live in friction, tension, disharmony, and disruption. Forgiveness is the oil that makes human relations move smoothly.

The King forgave His servant was unable to pay the debt. The debt was so huge that he could never bet back into the good graces of the King. The King forgave because the servant could not. The King forgave because He was good. That is what Jesus has done for you. God forgave not because you were good, not because you were deserving. He forgave because He loves you.

As God has shown mercy – were return mercy to others. That’s how forgiveness works. Out of His grace, Christ has made us new creatures. As Christ forgave so now you follow in the same tone when we deal with others.

Prayers for the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country

Prayer for peace in the world: Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife, destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and, according to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace which is beyond all understanding;

Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably;

Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Woodcut “The Crucifixion” by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld copyright © WELS for personal and congregational use