Time in the Word
25- 30 May 2015
Preparation for next week, The Feast of the Holy Trinity
25- 30 May 2015
Preparation for next week, The Feast of the Holy Trinity
On Trinity Sunday, we make special note of the work of all
three persons of the Trinity who procure and assure our salvation. A good
supplemental reading to the readings for the day is to be found in St. Paul ’s epistle to the
Ephesians, verses 3–11 of the first chapter. Paul explains how the Father chose
us in eternity and predestined us for salvation. The work of redemption was
accomplished through the shedding of blood—the blood of the Son of God, who
assumed flesh, that He might redeem us. The Holy Spirit has brought us the Word
of truth, the Gospel of our salvation, that we might trust in the merits of
Christ. Blessed be the Holy
Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to Him because He has shown
his mercy to us. (from
Sunday’s Introit)
Now to him who is able to do
far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at
work within us, to him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21 )
Monday, 25 May 2015—Psalm 16:8–11 ;
Antiphon, Liturgical Text—The
antiphon for Sunday’s Introit is an ancient liturgical text: Blessed be the
Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to him because he has
shown his mercy to us. The Triune God has first shown His mercy to us in
providing for our salvation, and our response is to give glory to Him.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015—Psalm 29 —This psalm is a hymn of praise to the Lord for all His mighty acts, but
especially His mercy in blessing His
people with peace. When created, man was in perfect harmony with God. But
the fall made us His enemies. We
cannot restore peace with God; it is the work of the Holy Trinity alone: the
Father, who conceived the plan of our salvation, the Son, who came to earth and
died for our transgressions, and the Holy Spirit, who brings us into a right
relationship with God through the Means of Grace, Word and Sacrament.
Wednesday, 27 May 2015—Isaiah 6:1–8 —Isaiah received a vision of the Lord
enthroned in His majesty and a call to be a prophet of God. Because he is a Son
of Adam, and therefore a man of unclean lips, Isaiah is terrified to be in the Lord’s presence, for it spells doom to
those under sin’s curse.
But an angel sent by
God absolves Isaiah of his sin with a burning coal, and Isaiah accepts the
mantle of prophecy. We, like Isaiah, must acknowledge our sin and tremble
before a holy God. But we must also trust in the absolution won by the Son of
God and pronounced by His called and ordained servants.
Thursday, 28 May 2015—Acts 2:14a , 22–36 —On the Day of
Pentecost, Peter was given power by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word of God
faithfully and authoritatively. He proclaims Christ crucified for the
forgiveness of sins and the redemption of sinners, and tells his audience, men
of Israel Psalm 16 , a portion of which serves as the Introit for
Sunday.
Friday, 29 May 2015—John 3:1–17 —Another man of Israel, Nicodemus, came to Jesus by night, probably
because he feared his fellow Pharisees. He had seen the signs (miracles) that
Jesus was able to do, and knew that such a one must have been sent by God.
Jesus tells Nicodemus how to be born from above, in Holy Baptism, the washing
of water with the Word of God. He also points to His own death, again in
fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. As God showed His love to a
rebellious, yet repentant people in providing the bronze serpent in the
wilderness (Numbers
21:4–9 ), so He shows His love by providing His Son, to take away a
problem far worse than snake bites, which kill only the body: Jesus Christ,
lifted up on the cross, takes away the sin of the world.
Saturday, 30 May 2015—Sunday’s
hymn of the day, God Loved the World So That He Gave (LSB 571) is
John 3:16
set to music. Herein is the sweet Gospel clearly proclaimed: Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith. The final stanza rightly praises all
three persons of the Trinity for their work in accomplishing our salvation.
Collect
for Trinity Sunday—Almighty
and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the
eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in
the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us
from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for blessing
on the Word: Lord Jesus Christ,
giver and perfecter of our faith, we thank and praise You for continuing among
us the preaching of Your Gospel for our instruction and edification. Send Your
blessing upon the Word, which has been spoken to us, and by Your Holy Spirit
increase our saving knowledge of You, that day by day we may be strengthened in
the divine truth and remain steadfast in Your grace. Give us strength to fight
the good fight and by faith to overcome all the temptations of Satan, the
flesh, and the world so that we may finally receive the salvation of our souls;
for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
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, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for seasonable weather: Lord God, gracious and merciful Father, because
You have promised that You will hear us when we bring You our cares, we implore
You not to deal with us according to our sins but according to Your mercy. Send
seasonable weather so that in due time the earth may yield her increase. Remind
us ever to receive with thanks our daily bread, trusting You as our gracious
God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the aged: Almighty God and gracious
Father, in Your mercy look on those whose increasing years bring them weakness,
anxiety, distress, or loneliness. Grant that they may always know care and
respect, concern and understanding. Grant them willing hearts to accept help
and, as their strength wanes, increase their faith with the constant assurance
of Your love through Jesus Christ, their Savior. Amen.
Prayer for industry and commerce: Lord Jesus Christ, as once You shared in our human
toil and thus hallowed the work of our hands, bless and prosper those who
maintain the industries and service sectors of this land. Give them a right
regard for their labors, and grant them the just reward for their work that
they may find joy in serving You and in supplying our needs; for You live and
reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006
Concordia Publishing House
Image © Ed Rioja Higher Things
No comments:
Post a Comment