Psalm 81:8, 10–11, 13; Antiphon, Luke 3:4b—The children of Israel had been delivered by the Lord out of their
bondage in Egypt, and yet rejected Him. The antiphon for Sunday’s Introit
exhorts us to heed John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way of the Lord
by preaching repentance. During this penitential season, let us examine
ourselves, repent of our sins, and prepare to meet our Savior who comes to us.
The preaching and baptism “of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins” (Luke
3:3) prepares us for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The
historic work of John the Baptizer was completed with the first Advent of our
Lord Jesus in the flesh, but the ministry of the Forerunner continues in the
preaching of Law and Gospel and in Holy Baptism. Through His messengers, the
Lord calls people of all nations to “see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6).
Our haughtiness is removed, and our mountains of pride are
brought low, but the Lord humbles us in order to exalt us in His mercy; He
fills up our valleys with His peace. As the Lord has begun this good work of
repentance in us, so also does he perfect it by His Word and Holy Spirit, and
He “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians
1:6). He purifies us to be His priestly people, precious in His sight,
abounding in faith and love, so that our very lives are offered in righteousness
to the Lord (Malachi 3:3–4).
Collect for Psalm 81 Almighty
Father, you rescued your people from slavery and through the Passion of your
Son, acquired a new people united in his body and marked with the sign of his
holiness. Feed us with your finest bread so that we may have food for this life
and a foretaste of eternity, where you live and reign with your Son and the
Holy Spirit, now and forever
Lord, free us from
our sins and make us whole. Hear our prayer and prepare us to celebrate the
incarnation of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, forever and ever. Amen.
