Time in the Word - Pentecost 24 - Proper 26

This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings

Read and review the following Bible stories for each day… 

Mon., October 29-Job Part 1- selective verses

Tues. October 30– Job Part 2- selective verses

Wed. October 31– Chapel Day

Thurs. November 01-Job Part 3 selective verses

Fri. –November 02-Samuel -  selective verses

From the Small Catechism – 2^nd Article and Meaning

Collect for Reformation: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth protect and deliver us in times of temptation defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace;

Collect for All Saints: Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and glory living that, together with them ,we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Collect for Commemoration of the Faithful Departed: O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Proper 26: Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, cleanse us by the power of Your redeeming blood that in purity and peace we may worship and adore Your holy name for Your live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Pentecost 24:Lord, we pray that Your grace may always precede and follow us that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Time in the Word
29 October – November 3 2018
Preparation for next week, Pentecost 24 – Proper 26

What does God expect of me above all else? This question was asked of Jesus by a scribe, a Bible scholar of his day,. Without hesitation, Jesus says that love of God and of neighbor are the top two. The first of these is given in the Old Testament lesson (Deuteronomy 6:1-9) and an exhortation is given to teach and obey the laws of God. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that our access to God does not come by righteous deeds but redemption comes through the blood of Christ. (Hebrews 9:11-14). We need to remember that people do not obey these top paws. We need an intercessor who is Christ. His perfect sacrifice made it possible for the Father and disobedient people to be reconciled.  The Psalm of the Day (Psalm 119:1-8) harmonizes with the theme of love for God. “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

Monday, 29 October 2018—Psalm 89:1-4; Antiphon, Psalm 9:1—The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit proclaims, "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." Reflect on the Lord’s kindness. Recount His wonderful works. This leads to actions of praise and thanksgiving both the Lord and to our neighbor. 

Tuesday, 30 October 2018—Psalm 119:1-8— It is fitting then that the psalm begins with the word "happy" (or "blessed" or "fortunate").  You'd be pretty happy, too, if you were blameless, sinless, perfect.   Now if only such blameless people could be found, we could ask them for some advice.  How do you do it?  How do you keep yourselves so blameless? How do you keep God's decrees, seeking the Lord with your whole heart, and do no wrong?  (See verses 1-3.)  Oh, but wait.  Such people do not exist (as the psalmist proclaims in Psalm 14:3 and, later, Paul, in Romans 3:10).  There is no one who is blameless. No, not one.  Psalm 119 starts by describing something that exists only in the imagination, a chimera, a fancy:  namely, one who is blameless according to the Law of God.

Yet, there is One.  2 Corinthians 5:21 tells how God made this One who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Wednesday, 31 October 2018— Deuteronomy 6:1-9— The laws of the Lord were to be kept when the people of Israel entered the Promised Land as a fulfillment and keeping of the covenant. The keeping of the commands is for always; each succeeding generation. Obedience will result in the prosperity and well being of the nation. In Vv. 4-9 we are given the Shema –“Hear.” It is the basic creed of the Jews: God is one and is to be loved with one’s entire being. The laws of God are to be internalized, made matters of the heart, and forever to be remembered by constantly talking about them and ever making them visible.  By these words parents especially are commanded to teach their children the laws of God that they may prosper.  

Thursday, 01 November 2018—Hebrews 9:11-14— Redemption Comes Through the Blood of Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice was for all people for all times. The Levitical priests of the past were compelled to give up their priesthood because of death. But Jesus lives forever. Therefore He can save all for all time because He is a living Christ who intercedes for all who call upon Him.

Not only is Christ the high priest eternal, but He is sinless and He is seated at the right hand of God in exaltation. His sacrifice was perfect and timeless. Therefore, other sacrifices are unnecessary. Jesus is our eternal high priest. His sacrifice was for all people for all time.   

Friday, 02 November 2018—Mark 12:28-37— The two greatest commandments: Love God and neighbor. This week’s Gospel ends the period of Jesus’ answering questions. The public ministry comes to a climax with this final answer before the passion begins. A scribe honestly and sincerely asks Jesus which is the most important commandment. Jesus’ answer is approved by the scribe who agrees that living God and neighbor is far more important than ritual and sacrifice. Jesus makes love of God and neighbor one commandment. But love of God precedes love of neighbor, We have a due agreement: The scribe agrees with Jesus’ answer, and Jesus agrees with the scribe’s answer. Yet, the scribe with chose but not in the kingdom of God. To enter takes more than knowledge.

Saturday, 03 November 2018—Luke 10:36-37 - Sunday’s hymn of the day, (LSB 852) “O God of mercy, God of might”  Jesus asks, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The answer, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Sunday’s hymn encourages to act the same.

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

Lutheran Worship © 1981Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John R. Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH.

Luther's Seal © Higher Things