Malachi
3:13-18— In their arrogance and unbelief the Jews called blessed those
whom the godly know to be cursed. But it is they who will be called blessed if
they repent. Even at the final hour the Lord is still calling His people to
repentance and faith. In the Day of Judgment the Lord will spare those who fear
Him. They will be called the Lord’s most treasured possession. 2,500 years
after these words were written the Lord is still calling His people back to
repentance. This is our attitude, searching and calling those missing from the
Father’s table.
The church year comes to a close on a triumphant
note. Christ the King. It is a festival, not an ordinary day, and the
liturgical color changes to white, a color denoting festivity, joy, and peace.
The church year comes to a close not with a whimper but with a shout. Handel’s
Hallelujah Chorus is appropriate. The year ends not in defeat but in triumph
for our God reigns.
Collect for Proper 29: Lord Jesus
Christ, You reign among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people
their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at
least in to Your eternal paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. [2]
Collect for
Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 22: 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.
Amen [3] -16 November, 2022
[2] Collect for Proper 29, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 22, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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