August 14—Friday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Father welcomes all His children To His family through His Son. Father giving His salvation. Life forever has been won.” – Father Welcomes,” Lutheran Service Book #605

Matthew 15:21–28 Jesus heals a Canaanite woman’s daughter. In this regard faith embraces Christ – which is NOT about doing right things. Or being correct. Performing rituals to perfection. Or even eating certain foods. It is what is on the inside which is the most important.

This Canaanite woman is an unlikely candidate to be the ideal follower of Jesus. She’s Gentile. Yet she calls Jesus, “Lord” and “Son of David.” Unlike Peter who fails to understand anything Jesus was doing. Along with Jesus’ other disciples, who attempt to chase her away.

Discipleship is not automatic. Instead, a true believer is one who has absolute faith in Jesus. Paul in this week’s epistle (Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32) is attempting to come to grips with the reality that his own people have not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Yet all have been disobedient alike – both Jews and Gentiles together. In spite of everything, God is able to work through our disobedience to show us His mercy, love and care. 

In Jesus’ conversation with the Canaanite woman there is a wonderful exchange of words. Jesus responds to her by saying, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the family puppy.” She replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, yet even the mutts off the street eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

By her persistent prayer, that Jesus would have mercy and help her, even in the face of His initial silence and apparent rejection. This Canaanite woman boldly confessed her faith in Christ.

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. Do not think you can walk your way into the Kingdom of God by some grand achievement. Paul commands a life of faith. By faith we receive the Father’s gifts. By faith we get precisely what we don’t deserve. And even more! That is why grace will always be karma’s worst nightmare.

Let Your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend Your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Your help, protect and govern it always by Your goodness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. ~ Collect for Pentecost 11

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

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.  

August 13— Thursday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

St. Paul concludes, “That he may have mercy on all.” (Romans 11:32). The Canaanite woman from this Sunday’s Gospel reading, (Matthew 15:21–28) boldly confessed her faith in Christ. This woman’s faith and hope were not disappointed.  Her prayers were answered in the mercy of Christ. Not only does He grant us the crumbs from His table. He also feeds us with “the children’s bread” in the house of His Father. 

Faith believes that God is not a Divine Accountant of Probation Officer. Rather, He’s an indulgent father. Who throws a party for his indigent son. He’s like an employer, who pays employees a full day’s wage even though they only worked an hour. He’s like a lavish wedding host, who provides copious amounts of only the best and finest wine. He’s your Good Shepherd content to leave behind ninety-nine of His herd in safety. Who will risk all to save just one that is lost.

This is the God who desires to bless all people I’m tempted to curse. He includes those whom I’d exclude. And embraces the very people I would shun. This good news, He says, is for all people. No one is to be excluded from the Father’s presence.

May this be our prayer, Lord, through the power of the Gospel - eclipse fear and hatred. By the power of Your love - eclipse violence and injustice. By the mercies of Christ - eclipse racism and bigotry.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

August 12— Wednesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 

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.

The Lord Jesus gave His command to reach out the entire world with the message of His salvation, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  

This prophecy was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as Peter proclaimed, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) and further, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) The end result was growth, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

Jesus calls us to himself and to his cross. Now, the Lord hears our prayers and accepts our sacrifice of praise upon the altar of His cross. (Isaiah 56:7)

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,

Go into all the world, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

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

August 11 — Tuesday prior to Pentecost 12 – (Proper 15)

 Psalm 67—All of the readings for this coming week express the fact that God’s salvation is for all people. The psalmist begins with the familiar Aaronic blessing. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24–26) For thousands of years God’s people have received this blessing. It is the benediction spoken to the people of God at the conclusion of the Divine Service.  It is a blessing God speaks to you individually and personally.

This 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.”

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere him.

When we pray with Psalm 67 that "God continue to bless us" or when we end the end of the worship service with the promise that "the Lord's face shine upon you," we do so for the sake of God's mission. In order that through God's people, all of the world might experience God's saving help.

Prayer for Psalm 67 – Father through your power the earth has brought forth its noblest fruit, the tree of the cross. Unite all people in its embrace, and feed them with its fruit, everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Psalm 67, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1995 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

The Trinity copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

August 10 - Monday prior to Pentecost 12 (Proper 15)

 

The Introit for this coming Sunday is taken from Psalm 143:1–2; Antiphon, Psalm 143:9—

Psalm 143 is the last of the seven penitential psalms. It is, like many of David’s other psalms, a plea to the Lord to rescue him from his enemies.

David does not appeal to his own goodness or righteousness, however, but explicitly confesses that no one living is righteous before the Lord. Therefore, he must beg the mercy of the Lord: In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

We get the sense that David is in desperate times. Without the Lord’s defense he has nothing. Thus he can say, “I flee unto thee to hide me.” David can literally declare, “I have hid my affairs, and troubles, my difficulties and all my necessities. I have revealed them unto You, who alone can save.”

This is how we, too, must approach the Lord when we ask Him to rescue us from earthly and spiritual enemies—acknowledging, as we do in the catechism, that we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment, and acknowledging that He delivers  us purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

The hymn writer reminds us

Other refuge have I none;

hangs my helpless soul on thee;

leave, ah! leave me not alone,

still support and comfort me.

All my trust on thee is stayed,

all my help from thee I bring;

cover my defenseless head

with the shadow of thy wing [1]

 

Prayer for Psalm 143 – Lord Jesus, you bring the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness and make your love known to them. Enter not into judgment against your servants, but let your Spirit guide us into the land of justice, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. Amen [2]

---

[1] Jesus Lover of my soul, The Lutheran Hymnal © 1942 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[2] For all the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY

Proper 15 Series A (Pentecost 12)

Isaiah 56:1, 6–8

Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32

Matthew 15:21–28

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 15:27–28). 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 11:29), and His Law “has consigned all to disobedience” for the very purpose “that he may have mercy on all” (Romans 11:32). 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).

This woman. A nameless, faceless, person in the crowd. She has no credentials. No pedigree. Not a single recommendation from anyone. She stands alone. Yet, she is driven. To seek healing from the only one capable of helping her - Jesus. 

Notice her posture. Face down. Hands extended! "Help me!" she cries. It is the prayer of faith: "Kyrie Eleison!" Lord, have mercy!

She asks for crumbs and gets...Jesus! It's all about the bread which falls from the Master's table - it's about Jesus - the bread of life who enters our world, assumes our flesh, offering Himself for the life of this world.

A lesson learned from this miracle - when facing dire circumstances - continue to pray. Continue to seek the Savior's help and comfort. Never give up! Pray without ceasing. Embrace endurance. 

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 our Lord.

Matthew 15:21–28

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15.21 

Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. 

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15.22 

καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἔκραζεν λέγουσα· Ἐλέησόν με, κύριε υἱὸς Δαυίδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. 

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”

Matthew 15.23 

ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· Ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. 

But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 

Matthew 15.24 

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ἰσραήλ. 

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Matthew 15.25 

ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. 

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.

 Κύριε, βοήθει μοι – the most powerful prayer in Scripture 

Matthew 15.26 

ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστιν καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. 

 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Matthew 15.27 

ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· Ναί, κύριε, καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. 

She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

Matthew 15.28 

τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· Ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις· γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.

Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.[ ‘from that hour’]

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.

 

– Romans 10:5-17 The message of Salvation is to all

 

The Lord. Who laid the foundation of the earth.” (Job 38:4) Is the Author and Giver of life.  Who governs all things by His Word. His wisdom and power. Are beyond our understanding. Except.  As He reveals Himself in the Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus. He has “entered into the springs of the sea.” And “walked in the recesses of the deep.” (Job 38:16), And He draws near to you in mercy. Have you been “a long way from the land, beaten by the waves?”  Tossed about by hostile winds?  (Matthew 14:24).  

 

Christ the Crucified Comes to Save Us by the Word of Faith

 

1. In our mortality and sinful unbelief, we do not always recognize the Lord Jesus.

A.        But as we cry out in fear, He speaks tenderly to us: “Do not be afraid,” and He reaches out His hand to save us. (Matthew 14:27, 31) 

B.        “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) 

 

2. And now we call upon Him in faith. 

A.        Because we have heard “through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17).

B.        “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8).

 

Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things