Pr. DFD : Epiphany 5

Showing posts with label Epiphany 5. Show all posts

Friday, February 6, 2026

Saturday prior to Epiphany 5

1John 3:16-19; Hebrews 13:16; Matthew 25:40—Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Thy Strong Word (LSB #578). This wonderful hymn tells the story of salvation as the Lord speaks to us in and through His Word. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the last stanza. God the Father, light-creator, Jesus is the one eternal God begotten from the Father light of light. The Holy Spirit is the light-revealer. Together with angels in heaven, we praise the Triune God Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Hymn 381 Thy Strong Word

Tune: Ton-y-Botel (Thomas John Williams 1869-1944)

Text: Martin H. Franzmann (1907-1976)

The tune has been given the name "Ton-y-Botel", which means, ‘it was found in a bottle.’ This tune was set in previous hymnals to the text "Once to Every Man and Nation," a poem of James R. Lowell opposing our war against Mexico. This text, written in the 20th century, seems especially appropriate in the later Epiphany season, a time when we as Church stop to reflect on the whole meaning of Christ's incarnation and our response. We see Jesus coming into our lives as light, the beacon of hope and life we follow even in the dark times, as in mid-winter. Here, in this brilliant marriage of text and music, is a jewel, which lifts us up as we sing at once more confident and joyous, journeying on in God's shining light.[2]

Collect for Saturday of the week of Epiphany 4: We have come, O God, at Thy bidding. Unless we are willing to be healed, Thou canst not heal the world’s hurt. Grant us now in the power of Thy Spirit to hear the word, which maketh whole the sick, and all things new that were old. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[3]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2]https://www.epiphanyep.org/blog/epiphany-hymn-of-the-week-thy-strong-word

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Friday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Matthew 5:13-20—A More Excellent Way of Life – The Christian life exceeds living by the Law

The Christian life exceeds living by the Law. Followers of Jesus, Disciples of Christ are the light of the world. Since Jesus said He was the light of the world, this may seem to be a contradiction. Christians are light. You do not become light by good works. You are light because, and only because you are in Christ, the Light. The light you have is not produced by your own. You are only the reflection of the light of Christ who dwells in you by faith. If you are not seen as light in the dark world, it indicates you are not in Christ. If the light is in you, it will be seen by your good works, which result as naturally as a candle sheds its light as a natural part of its essence.

As salt and light, Jesus’ followers live by a superior righteousness.

The word ‘righteousness’ has a twofold meaning. Its ethical meaning embraces virtue, goodness, and unrighteousness. The religious meaning means being rightly related to God and neighbor. The righteousness of God is God’s rightly relating us to him. The righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees was an ethical righteousness, which involved a strict keeping of the letter of the law. The Christian has a righteousness that exceeds the ethical. It is a right relation with God and with the neighbor. Anger is a symptom of a broken relationship. Forgiveness renews this relationship.

O God, you know that we cannot withstand the dangers, which surround us. Strengthen us in body and spirit so that with your help, we may be able to overcome the weakness that our sins have brought upon us.[2]

Collect for Friday of the week of Epiphany 4: Bestow on us, O God, all that Thou dost ask of us, that in asking life of Thee we may be ready to share Thy life, and the weight of it, which is Thy love in Christ Jesus. [3]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Epiphany 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1005 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Thursday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

1 Corinthians2:1-12—The Christian life results from a gospel of power. Paul decided to know nothing except Christ. Is that smart? Paul knew more than most. He knew how to make a living by making tents; the Bible thoroughly, for he was a student of the great Gamaliel; the philosophies of the day, for he was a university student. When it came to making a living, we need to know much. When it comes to making a life, knowledge and wisdom are useless. It is enough to know Christ, for He is the truth about God and life.

Weakness can be strength. This was the case with Paul He felt that his ability to speak an oratorical in great wisdom, as was the custom of his day, was inferior.

With fear and trembling, he perhaps stuttered and stammered the words of the gospel. In spite of his halting speech, people came to accept Christ as Savior. What did this prove? The Word of the cross is the power to win people to Christ.

Paul shows how the foolishness of the cross is at once the content and method of his approach to the Corinthians. One commentator remarks, “Paul himself, the apostle of the crucified and risen Christ becomes the proclamation of the cross, for his congregation, in that in his life of suffering there congregations encounter him as the primary living commentary on his theology of the cross. “

Paul came to Corinth clothed in weakness (see 2 Corinthians 10:10; 12:7-10) yet, it was in that weakness that the power of God was made manifest so that faith might rest secure in the power of God rather than in the “wisdom of men.” (2:15)

Collects for Epiphany 5: O Lord, keep Your Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may be ever defended by Your mighty power.[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Epiphany 4: Thou hast called us into thy presence, O God. Be Thou therefore light for our darkness; and strength for every high purpose wherein we are weak. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen [3]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Isaiah 58:3-9a— A More Excellent Way of Life – The godly life expresses itself in service

A proper fast will bring God’s presence and blessing.

The godly life is expressed in service. Among most Christians today, fasting is scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it. Though fasting is not generally practiced, the principle still applies. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotions into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessings.

Fasting today seems secondary and scarcely practiced. If Isaiah were living today, he probably would not have used it? Or would he? The principles still applies though fasting is not generally practiced. Religiosity in terms of cultic practices, without practical helpfulness to the neighbor, does not bring God’s blessings. When we put our religious devotion into sharing with the less fortunate, we open ourselves to God’s presence and blessing.

In verse 9a, God promises to be at the beck and call of those mired in the troubles of sin. Surely, there is no greater comfort for a person convicted of his sins by the Law than the promise of God to send at the ready with His outstretched hand, His mighty arm and the offer of His righteousness in Christ.

These verses offer comfort once more to a post-Christian world that has largely returned to its old sinful self by this stage in the Epiphany season. Once more, it is clearly manifest that man cannot save himself not ever by feigned righteousness.

A Collect for the Epiphany Season: Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory.[2]

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Epiphany 4: O God, Thou that will not flatter us who love flattery, and dost offer us toil who love ease, open our eyes that we may see what Thou wouldst have us see in all the world about us, and our ears that we may hear what word Thou wouldst speak in him who is that Word, even Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen [3]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Monday, February 2, 2026

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Psalm 15 — This psalm gives instruction to those who wish to have access to God at His temple. Thomas Jefferson called this psalm the picture of “a true gentleman.” This is a testimonial of the man of God. What does God require of the individual who seeks his company? He expects right conduct, right speaking (verses 2-3a), right relationships with others (verses 3b-4), and a right use of wealth (verse 5) See Psalm 24. Who swears… (Verse 4) i.e. who keeps his word whatever the cost; Verse 5, one of the Jewish laws, see Leviticus 25:36-37. It was not a total ban on lending at interest, but applied to fellow Israelites.

Psalm 15:

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. In it, David meditates over the character of the man received into the presence of God. We have no precise occasion for this psalm, but it may well have been on the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). This was a time when David was very much concerned with the questions asked and answered in this psalm.[2]

Collect for Psalm 15: Lord Jesus, you first chose to live among us, and in returning to your Father, you made an eternal home for us. Help us walk blamelessly in your ways and bring us at last to your holy mountain, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [3]

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Epiphany 4: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and earth. Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-15

[4] Ibid, Collect For Tuesday of the week of Epiphany 4

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Monday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Psalm 119:1-6; antiphon, Psalm 112:12—In the Introit for Sunday, we pray, Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me Your statutes! This Psalm is an acrostic based on the Hebrew letter Aleph.

We meditate on the Word of our Lord and we walk blameless as we are directed by Him who speaks to us in and through that same word.

The Antiphon begins; Blessed are You, O LORD. The psalmist seems to interrupt his thoughts on the connection between God’s word and a pure life with this expression of praise. The greatness of these ideas and the reality of them in his life have made this praise necessary.

Teach me Your statutes. This demonstrates the humility of the psalmist. Though filled with God’s word and a desire for purity, he sensed his constant need for instruction by God. He didn’t simply need to read God’s statutes; he pleaded with God to teach him.

This saying is written in the front of some Bibles: “This book will keep you from sin. Sin will keep you from this book.” The psalmist understood this principle, and longed for God to be his teacher, and to keep him in God’s great book.

We need to be disciples or learners. [2]

An Excellent Way of Life

The life of a Christian is the primary subject of this Sunday. It is a way of life that is better than living by the letter of the Law. According to Isaiah, true fasting results in meeting the social needs of people. In the Epistle gives the source of Christian living – a gospel of power and not the wisdom of man. Christ is the Word of life. We ask that we may see and hear Him as the Life.

Light is the dominant theme of Epiphany. A candle is a symbol of the season. Christ is the light of God whose glory is manifested throughout the season. Epiphany 5 continues the theme of life but with a different twist. Now Christians are the light of the world because they are in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world,” Isaiah in the Old Testament says the light shines out of those who properly fast. In the Epistle lesson, the source of the light is in the crucified Christ proclaimed by Paul.

Collect for Psalm 112: Lord Jesus You are the light shining in darkness for the upright. Teach us to love one another as Yu love us, that we might bring peace and joy to the world and find the happiness of Your home where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Collect for Psalm 119: Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our LORD.[3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Epiphany 4: Father in heaven, from the days of Abraham and Moses until this gathering of your church in prayer, you have formed a people in the image of your Son. Bless this people with the gift of your kingdom. May we serve you with our every desire and show love for one another even as you have loved us. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen [4]

[1] Luther’s Seal, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-119

[4] Ibid, Collect for Monday of the week of Epiphany 4,

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Epiphany 5 -Series A study notes

Isaiah 58:3–9a

1 Corinthians 2:1–12 (13–16)

Matthew 5:13–20

The Righteousness of Christ

O God, our Loving Father, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You plant the gift of Your love into the hearts of Your faithful people. Grant to Your servants soundness of mind and body, so that they may love You with their whole strength and with the whole heart do these things that are pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Jesus warns that “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20), but He also calls His imperfect people “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13, 14). That’s because the Lord Jesus came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets “but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17) in perfect faith and love. Since He does and teaches all of God’s commandments, He is “called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). God manifests His “demonstration of the Spirit and of power” in “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2–4) and through the preaching of the Gospel gives His “secret and hidden wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:7). Christ gives this perfect righteousness to His people, and it leads them to true fasting, which is “to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free” (Isaiah 58:6) and “to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house” (Isaiah 58:7)

Matthew 5:13-20

Salt and light -

Matthew 5:13

Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς· ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται; εἰς οὐδὲν ἰσχύει ἔτι εἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

You (are these the disciples or all Christians?) are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness (tasteless, a moron) be restored? (be again salted) It is no longer good (has the strength) for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Salt cannot loose itself. Christianity is the preservative of the world. When it is lost it is good for nothing. Salt and light must be seen Christologically. Christ was trampled underfoot. They killed the shepherd. Are these words prescriptive or descriptive?

Matthew 5:14

Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη·

You are the light of the world. (Cosmos) A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

This light can NOT be hidden. What does light do?

A candle in total darkness can be seen for thirty miles...

He is the light coming into the world. The city cannot be hidden. It is set on the mountain. This is a promise rather than a demand. It is impossible for the Church to bear witness of Christ.

Matthew 5:15

οὐδὲ καίουσιν λύχνον καὶ τιθέασιν αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν, καὶ λάμπει πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ.

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, (grain measuring) but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

What is the house? It is the Church. Christ gives light to those in the church.

Matthew 5:16

οὕτως λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσιν τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

We are not left to ourselves to do anything. This is gospel not law. We have the power to hinder the light but not produce it. Vocation - the place where Christ places you - to present Christ. What is the context into which you have been placed?

Christ came to fulfill the law

Matthew 5:17

Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι·

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Law = the entire OT not as the Pharisees interpret the Law, but as Christ presents it.

Matthew 5:18

ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου, ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται.

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Until all comes down)

The Law still stands. When all comes down will the Law come to an end? Not a marker of time.

"Until whenever..."

The Law is - Indicative "you shall in this life" and imperative "you are in the world to come."

Matthew 5:19

ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν· ὃς δ’ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least (last) in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

But you're still in the kingdom is the comfort.

You're not great in the kingdom because you're great but because your covered in Jesus.

See Psalm 119:171ff

Matthew 5:20

λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ [b]ὑμῶν ἡ δικαιοσύνη πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds (is greater than) that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter (you can't work your way in) the kingdom of heaven.

Pharisees used the law not to serve the neighbor but to live above the neighbor.

You are salt you are light and when you are not salt or light Jesus is salt and light.

Sources:

Friday, February 7, 2025

Saturday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Psalm 72 The Hymn of the day - LSB 398 Hail to the Lord's anointed. It was written as a Christmas hymn and was first sung on Christmas Day, 1821, at a great convocation of the Moravians in their settlement at Fulneck. At a Wesleyan missionary meeting, held in Liverpool on April 14 of the following year, 1822, when Doctor Adam Clarke presided, Montgomery made an address and closed it by the recital of this hymn with all of its verses…Doctor Clarke later used it in his famous Commentary in connection with his discussion of the Seventy-second Psalm.

Collect for Psalm 72: Deliver us, Lord from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protectr us from all anxiety, as we wait in joyful home for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our LORD. [2]

For guidance in our calling – Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

[2]

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Friday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Luke 5:1-11 In this season of Epiphany, we recall a series of first things. We have witnessed Jesus' first miracle; we have heard His first sermon. Now we see His first disciple called into active service. Peter is an interesting sort of fellow. He speaks first and questions later. He is bold in faith at one moment and timid the next. Peter is a lot like us today. He had his own questions and fears. He had sickness in his family. He worked long hours trying to run a business. When Jesus called Peter, he responded. The Savior used common ordinary people like you and me to be His followers. What is it that God is calling you to do? May we take the example of Peter and faithfully follow when we are asked to go.

Jesus calls Peter to be a fisher of men as he responds in faith "At Your word" - v. 5 Likewise you are called to obey Christ's command and accept His promises in faith.

It takes faith to do something with which you have struggled and failed. Peter was asked to do the ridiculous – to fish after a whole night of catching nothing. Jesus’ words today call for faith to obey his commands and to trust his promises. A simple conception and concept; yet it involves a life- long process.

For aid against temptation – O God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in daily need and especially in time of temptation, we may seek Your help and by a true and lively fait in Your Word, obtain all that You have promise; through Jesus Christ our Lord. .

For strength of faith- Almighty Good, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting. [2]

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Thursday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

1 Corinthians 14:12-20 – A manifestation of the Spirit builds up the church

We continue in a series of readings dealing with the activity of the Holy Spirit. The role of the Holy Spirit is to edify and build up the body of Christ known as the church. The church will grow not by human means, by cunning ways, by programs, or building structures. The kingdom comes and grows by the Holy Spirit actively working in the lives of people.

The Spirit comes through those means of grace that God has given us. May we call upon the Spirit to build us up to be His church. Paul urges that the Spirit’s gifts should edify.

Both the Gospel (Luke 5:1-11) and the Old Testament lesson (Isaiah 6:1-8) for this coming Sunday are concerned with becoming servants of God. Paul urges in our lesson for today that even in worship, a person’s personal needs must not take precedent. Serving the people by building them up in their faith and love of God is paramount. Worship is not for the individual. If so, we are only consumers. The focus must always be for the building up of the body of Christ and for the mutual benefit of all.

O Lord, keep your family the Church continually in the true faith that, relying on the hope of Your heavenly grace, we may ever be defended by Your mighty power;

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Wednesday prior to Epiphany 5

[1]

Isaiah 6:1-11 Isaiah chapter six is one of the grand chapters of the Old Testament. Here we have the call of Isaiah to be a prophet of God. Isaiah did not necessarily want to accept his call. He felt he was unqualified. He knew that he was a sinner and that he would be sent to a sinful nation who would not want to listen to him. What was he to do? God forgave his sin and used him in a mighty way. Can God use you to do His bidding? Of course, He can. No matter what "sin" might be prohibiting you, God in Christ has forgiven you to do His work for Him.

The account of God’s call to Isaiah is highly sensory: visual (an overwhelming sight of the Lord and His seraphim,) auditory (the exclamation of the angels which even caused the doorposts of the temple to shame and the voice of the Lord Himself), tactile (the trembling of the temple),, olfactory (the smell of smoke,) even gustatory (as the hot coals touched Isaiah’s tongue). This would suggest a message that also engages more than the intellect, a dramatic and emotional message that seeks the replicate Isaiah’s vision. The goal is a response, “Here am I, send me!” [2]

This text is also the inspiration of Luther’s Hymn “Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old” LSB #960

Isaiah, mighty seer, in days of old

The Lord of all in Spirit did behold

High on a lofty throne, in splendor bright,

With flowing train that filled the Temple quite.

Above the throne were stately seraphim,

Six wings had they, these messengers of Him.

With twain they veiled their faces, as was meet,

With twain in reverent awe they hid their feet,

And with the other twain aloft they soared,

One to the other called and praised the Lord:

|: Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth! :|

Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!

Behold, His glory filleth all the earth!

The beams and lintels trembled at the cry,

And clouds of smoke enwrapped the throne on high.

Prayer for Epiphany 5 - O God, our Loving Father, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit You plant the gift of Your love into the hearts of Your faithful people. Grant to Your servants soundness of mind and body, so that they may love You with their whole strength and with the whole heart do these things that are pleasing in Your sight. Amen. [3]–