Time in the Word:
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter
The Newness of the Resurrection Turns Sorrow into Joy
On earth “you will be sorrowful, but
your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20 ). Already the Spirit
grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross
of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18 ). His
Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household”
(Acts 11:13–14 ).
He gives freely “from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6 ), “and
death shall be no more” (Rev. 21:4 ). He dwells with His
people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, “making all things new”
(Rev. 21:5 ).
Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him”
(John 13:31 ),
so He is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35 ), which
His Spirit works in us by His grace.
Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter: O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Time in the Word
May 13-18 2019
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 13-18 2019
Preparation for next week, the Fifth Sunday of Easter
Monday, 13
May 2019—Psalm
98:2–6 ; antiphon, Psalm 98:1 —During Eastertide, it is our great
joy to sing wonderful songs of praise to the Lord
in His royal honor. A new song is called for as we consider all the marvelous
things He has done for us. He has made known His salvation in the
person of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of His steadfast love
and faithfulness to the spiritual house of Israel Romans
9:6–8 ), we have been saved from sin, death, and everlasting
condemnation.
Tuesday, 14 May 2019—Psalm 148 —The Psalm for the Day is the same as it was on the
Second Sunday of Easter, but it can never be stale or “old hat.” It is always a
joy to sing the praise of the One who has raised up a horn of salvation
for us. The psalm calls upon all creation to praise the Lord; this is fitting, for, by His
death and resurrection, Christ has begun the work of making all things new,
that is, restoring all creation from the tragic consequences of the Fall into
sin.
Wednesday, 15 May 2019—Acts 11:1–18 —The First Reading, from Acts, also shows the Newness
of the Resurrection. There is a new way of thinking who may be incorporated
into the family of God. Peter’s report to the Jerusalem Council of his encounter
with the Gentile Cornelius (Acts, chapter 10 ), shows that the regulations which were
binding on God’s people in the Old Testament were not an end unto themselves,
but served the purpose of pointing the way to the One who would fulfill them:
Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Christ makes all things new, and shows that
salvation is by faith in the crucified and risen Jesus, and not by the works of
the Law.
Thursday, 16 May 2019—Revelation 21:1–7 —The glorious results of the Newness of the
Resurrection were shown to St John in the revelation he received from the risen
Lord Jesus Christ. Since Christ has atoned for the sins of the whole world, and
has made all things new again, this will be reflected in all of creation at the
Last Day, when the present age and present creation gives way to the new age
and new creation. Because sin, death, and the devil have been defeated by
Christ, in the new creation there will be no mourning, nor crying, nor pain
anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Friday, 17 May 2019—John 16:12–22 orJohn 13:31–35 —In John 13 , Jesus gives us
a new commandment, in keeping with the Newness of the Resurrection: Love one
another. How simple that sounds, and yet, how difficult it is to keep.
Impossible, in fact for us sinful creatures to keep. Only the new man, the one
who is in Christ, can do this. Because Christ lives in us by virtue of the
faith imparted to us in our Baptisms, we can reflect the love of God to others.
Saturday, 18 May 2019—The Hymn of
the Day, At the Lamb’s High Feast
We Sing (LSB #633), is an ancient hymn of praise to the Lamb who was slain, but is
now risen and gives us His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins, and
the strengthening of our faith. Stanza 7 speaks once more of the Newness of the
Resurrection, proclaiming that the resurrection of Christ has destroyed sin—Easter triumph, Easter joy!—and made us to be newborn souls. Alleluia!
This Week’s Morning Prayer Readings
Read and review the following Bible stories for each day…
Monday, 13 May -1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Tuesday, 14 May - Galatians 4:1-7
Wednesday, 15 May – Chapel Day
Thursday, 16 May- Ephesians 2:1-10
Friday, 17 May- Philippians 2:1-11
From the Catechism; Review Commandments 9-10; Article 1-2 of the Apostles’ Creed
Prayer for a new heart and a new spirit: Almighty and everlasting God, by the
death and resurrection of Your Son You cleansed our hearts and put a new Spirit
within us. Grant that all who are brought to newness of life in the fellowship
of the body of Christ may show forth in their lives what they confess with
their lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for newness of life as a baptized child of God: Merciful Father, through Holy
Baptism You called us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may
evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to
the image of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Prayer for newness of life through confession and absolution: Almighty, everlasting God, for our
many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your
dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and
everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be
raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer at a confirmation: Almighty God, grant that we who have
been redeemed from the old life of sin through Baptism into the death and resurrection
of Your Son, Jesus Christ, may be renewed in Your Holy Spirit and live in
righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayers from Lutheran Service
Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things
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