Wednesday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Genesis 45:3-15– Joseph is reconciled with his brothers

Some might say, “The Devil made me do it!” Could not Christians say with Joseph, “God made me do it!”? Joseph was a God-conscious and God-oriented man to the point that he was God working in his life. It we do not say the Devil made us do it, do we explain our experiences as either “luck,” “coincidence,” or even “fate?” Joseph teaches us that God is alive and is guiding, working and directing the events of people, whether individuals or nations.

Can you see God in your life?

God can use even man’s sin for a better good. V. 4

God uses the consequence of sin to bring about something even better. He is in the business of redemption and rescue. V. 5a

God often uses adversity for man’s good. V. 5b  [2]

 Each of our Lessons for this coming Sunday give an answer to the question what can God do for you? God uses adversity for our ultimate good. Joseph was a God-conscious and God-oriented man to the point that he saw God working in his life. If we do not say the Devil made us do it, do we explain our experiences as “Luck” or “coincidence?” Joseph teaches us that God is alive and is guiding, working, and directing the events of people, whether individuals or nations.

Collect for Epiphany 7– O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  [3]

 

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

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C, John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[3] Collect for Epiphany 7, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

 

Tuesday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Psalm 103:1-13 (antiphon; v.8) – This week’s Psalm reminds us the Lord is plenteous in mercy. Rich in it, quick in it, overflowing with it; and so had he need to be or we should soon be consumed. He is God, and not man, or our sins would soon drown his love; yet above the mountains of our sins the floods of his mercy rise.  From the hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” we read; "Plenteous grace with thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin; Let the healing streams abound, Make and keep me pure within."

Psalm 103 – Bless the LORD O My Soul

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. We don’t know the circumstances in which it was written, but since David was a man who knew the grace and deliverance of God many times, it could have been written at many different times of his life.

The LORD is merciful and gracious. In the previous lines, David described the righteousness and justice of God. Those aspects of God’s character are true, but so also are His mercy and graciousness. His anger comes, but slowly and after much mercy has been shown.

Abounding in mercy. David’s statements remind us of God’s revelation of Himself to Moses in Exodus 34: The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6).

He will not always strive with us. These very human terms point the contrast between God’s generosity and the heavy-handed wrath of man, who loves to keep his quarrels going (chide [strive] translates a term much used for disputes, especially at law) and to nurse his grievances.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins. David knew the slow anger and abounding mercy of God personally. He knew that his sins (and the sins of his people) deserved much greater judgment or discipline than they had received.

 In our lessons for this week, God is the sources of our being and doing. Our lives are to reflect the character of God. In the Old Testament lesson, (Genesis 45:3-15) Joseph explains to his brothers that God used his adversity to preserve life. Paul in the Epistle (1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30--42) explains and describes the resurrection body, which God provides for us. In all of these we see God as the source and ground of our being: His goodness prompts our goodness, He uses our misfortunes to bless others, He gives us a new body to dwell in a spiritual heaven.

Collect for Psalm 103: Lord, you have compassion for the sinner, as a father has compassion for his children. Heal the weakness of your people and save us from everlasting death, that with the saints and angels we may praise and glorify you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. [2]

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

[2] Collect for Psalm 103, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Epiphany 7

[1]

Psalm 37:1-5 (antiphon, Psalm 37:7)– Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

Psalm 37 – Wisdom over Worry

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. Verse 25 tells us that it is David in his older years, giving wisdom in the pattern of a song. This psalm is roughly acrostic in arrangement, with the lines arranged with Hebrew sentences that begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In style this is a wisdom psalm, directed not to God but to man, teaching after the manner of the Book of Proverbs.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him. Because God has promised to faithfully take care of those who put their trust in Him, we can rest in the LORD. We can wait patiently for Him instead of fretting and fearing that God has forgotten us or intends evil for us.

Rest in the LORD speaks of a particular kind of rest – the rest of silence, ceasing from words of self-defense. The idea is that we will not speak to vindicate ourselves; we will trust in God to protect us.[2]

Collect for Psalm 37: Lord Jesus, you bless the poor with the kingdom of heaven. Teach us to put our trust in the Father and to seek his kingdom rather than to imitate the powerful or envy the right; so may we serve you now and forever. [3]

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

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-37/

[3] Collect for Psalm 37, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Epiphany 7 Series C - study notes

Epiphany 7 
Series C

Genesis 45:3-15
Psalm 103:13 (antiphon v.8)
1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42

Luke 6:27-38

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity;

So what does God do for us? That will be the question asked by each of the lessons used in service next Sunday. In a nutshell God uses the events of this world and also in the world to come to shape and form our lives. Sometimes the going gets tough; there are troubled and dangerous waters that we have to forge through life. But as the old hymn “Jesus Savior Pilot me” reminds us He will chart and compass our course through life. This we can depend upon He will direct us.  

Genesis 45:1-7

So you think that you’ve had it rough? Joseph was abandoned by his brothers; left for dead, sold into slavery, arrested tried, convicted and imprisoned on false charges all for one purpose. That purpose was to save his family from starvation so that they could find safety in Egypt. God used extreme adversity to preserve life. Life will not always be easy and often times it’s simply unfair. Yet God is in the business of turning tragedy into triumph and disaster into miracle. All He asks of us is to trust Him and keep to His Word.

1 Corinthians 15:35-38a, 42-50

God is the source of everything that we are. He has gone so far as to prepare for you a new body in heaven. “How will the glorified body be…what will it look like…will it be different?” These are just some of the questions asked about this topic. 

The answer is that we do not know how it will look because we have yet to go to heaven. But of this we can say, the glorified body will be free from sin. It will be perfect. The wonder of it all is that God has designed our body so that it will be fit for His purposes.

Luke 6:27-38

The point that all three of our lessons make is the fact God is the source of our being and doing. Thus our lives are a reflection of the character of God.  It’s easy to say, “I love God” Jesus shows us the example of loving God by loving those who hate and cure us. Jesus says love your enemies, be merciful, and forgive. This we cannot do in and of ourselves. We need someone stronger then ourselves to do this. We need Christ in our lives to work in us; strengthening us to do His good and perfect will. 

Luke 6:27-38

Love Your Enemies

Luke 6:27

Ἀλλὰ ὑμῖν λέγω τοῖς ἀκούουσιν, ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν, καλῶς ποιεῖτε τοῖς μισοῦσιν ὑμᾶς, 

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

Luke 6:28

εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς καταρωμένους [a]ὑμᾶς, προσεύχεσθε [b]περὶ τῶν ἐπηρεαζόντων ὑμᾶς.

bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 

Luke 6:29

τῷ τύπτοντί σε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγόνα πάρεχε καὶ τὴν ἄλλην, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντός σου τὸ ἱμάτιον καὶ τὸν χιτῶνα μὴ κωλύσῃς. 

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic [a] either. 

[a] Greek χιτῶνα  chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin

Luke 6:30 

παντὶ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντος τὰ σὰ μὴ ἀπαίτει.

Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 

Luke 6:31

καὶ καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Luke 6:32

Καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσιν.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 

Luke 6:33

καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν;  καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν. 

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 

Luke 6:34

καὶ ἐὰν δανίσητε παρ’ ὧν ἐλπίζετε λαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; [i]καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανίζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσιν τὰ ἴσα. 

And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 

Luke 6:35

πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανίζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες· καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ Ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. 

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 

Luke 6:36 

γίνεσθε οἰκτίρμονες καθὼς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστίν·

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

Luke 6:37 

Καὶ μὴ κρίνετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ κριθῆτε· [l]καὶ μὴ καταδικάζετε, καὶ οὐ μὴ καταδικασθῆτε. ἀπολύετε, καὶ ἀπολυθήσεσθε·

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 

Luke 6:38 

δίδοτε, καὶ δοθήσεται ὑμῖν· μέτρον καλὸν πεπιεσμένονσεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν· ᾧ γὰρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν.

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Sources:

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

Saturday prior to Epiphany 6

[1]

1 Peter 1:20 - This week’s hymn of the week, “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.” Peter would remind us, “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross wasn't improvised. God didn't make it up in response to the unfolding events of history. Peter writes that Christ was known before the world was founded. Jesus existed in eternity past as the one whose blood would cover the sins of all who receive salvation. Jesus' birth, life, death, resurrection, and return to the Father were always God's plan to save you. Always. Jesus was always the answer to the questions asked by the prophets. Jesus is the fulfillment to which the Old Testament prophecies were pointing. In this Epiphany season Jesus is made manifest as the promised coming one.

Taking Matthew 1: 1-11 as his theme for stanzas 1-3, the hymn likens the journey of the wise men who came to worship the Christ to our own Christian pilgrimage. The pattern of these stanzas is "as they … so may we." Stanzas 4 and 5 are a prayer that our journey on the "narrow way" may bring us finally to glory where Christ is the light (Rev. 21:23) and where we may perfectly sing his praise.

Throughout stanza 2, Jesus is manifested as “prophet, priest and king supreme”; thus we confess that Jesus is anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher, our only high priest and our eternal king.

The refrain ends by confessing that “God in flesh [is] made manifest.”  By faith we confesses that Jesus took to himself, through the working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature.

A prayer for newness of life in Christ – Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of life, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility, that in the last day, when He shall come again in glory to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.  [2]-

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[1] Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts “Jesus teaches the disciples” copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

 

Friday prior to Epiphany 6

[1]

Luke 6:17-26 – The Gospel harmonizes with the Old Testament lesson, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man…Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.” Blessed are those – whether rich or poor, hungry or well-fed, happy or sad, hated or well-liked, who trust in God to fill their need. The New English Bible translates Luke 6:20 –“How blessed are you who are in need.” Matthew 5:3 – “How blessed are those who know their need of God.” This reduces itself to the basic need for change of values, from material to spiritual.

Herein the Savior describes those who are his own.

They are poor in spirit; they know of their need for a Savior. The Psalmist writes, “Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5

They hunger after a righteousness they do not have of their own effort. Examples of such include the dying thief on Calvary’s hill, the prodigal son, and David who prayed with a contrite heart.

They weep; as did Peter. “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken; ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

They bear the cross. We hear the Savior’s cry; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you, who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.” – Matthew 23:37

God’s grace turns poverty into riches, hunger into satisfaction, weeping into laughter. 

Collect for humility – O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2] –

Who was St. Valentine, and why do we celebrate him on February 14?

1. The St. Valentine who inspired the holiday may have been two different men.

Officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, St. Valentine is known to be a real person who died around A.D. 270. However, his true identity was questioned as early as A.D. 496 by Pope Gelasius I, who referred to the martyr and his acts as “being known only to God.” One account from the 1400s describes Valentine as a temple priest who was beheaded near Rome by the emperor Claudius II for helping Christian couples wed. A different account claims Valentine was the Bishop of Terni, also martyred by Claudius II on the outskirts of Rome. Because of the similarities of these accounts, it’s thought they may refer to the same person. Enough confusion surrounds the true identity of St. Valentine that the Catholic Church discontinued liturgical veneration of him in 1969, though his name remains on its list of officially recognized saints.

2. In all, there are about a dozen St. Valentines, plus a pope.

The saint we celebrate on Valentine’s Day is known officially as St. Valentine of Rome in order to differentiate him from the dozen or so other Valentines on the list. Because “Valentinus”—from the Latin word for worthy, strong or powerful—was a popular moniker between the second and eighth centuries A.D., several martyrs over the centuries have carried this name. The official Roman Catholic roster of saints shows about a dozen who were named Valentine or some variation thereof. The most recently beatified Valentine is St. Valentine Berrio-Ochoa, a Spaniard of the Dominican order who traveled to Vietnam, where he served as bishop until his beheading in 1861. Pope John Paul II canonized Berrio-Ochoa in 1988. There was even a Pope Valentine, though little is known about him except that he served a mere 40 days around A.D. 827.

3. Valentine is the patron saint of beekeepers and epilepsy, among many other things.

Saints are certainly expected to keep busy in the afterlife. Their holy duties include interceding in earthly affairs and entertaining petitions from living souls. In this respect, St. Valentine has wide-ranging spiritual responsibilities. People call on him to watch over the lives of lovers, of course, but also for interventions regarding beekeeping and epilepsy, as well as the plague, fainting and traveling. As you might expect, he’s also the patron saint of engaged couples and happy marriages.

4. You can find Valentine’s skull in Rome.

The flower-adorned skull of St. Valentine is on display in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome. In the early 1800s, the excavation of a catacomb near Rome yielded skeletal remains and other relics now associated with St. Valentine. As is customary, these bits and pieces of the late saint’s body have subsequently been distributed to reliquaries around the world. You’ll find other bits of St. Valentine’s skeleton on display in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Scotland, England and France.

5. English poet Geoffrey Chaucer may have invented Valentine’s Day.

The medieval English poet Geoffrey Chaucer often took liberties with history, placing his poetic characters into fictitious historical contexts that he represented as real. No record exists of romantic celebrations on Valentine’s Day prior to a poem Chaucer wrote around 1375. In his work “Parliament of Foules,” he links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St. Valentine’s feast day–an association that didn’t exist until after his poem received widespread attention. The poem refers to February 14 as the day birds (and humans) come together to find a mate. When Chaucer wrote, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh there to choose his mate,” he may have invented the holiday we know today.

6. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day several times a year.

Because of the abundance of St. Valentines on the Roman Catholic roster, you can choose to celebrate the saint multiple times each year. Besides February 14, you might decide to celebrate St. Valentine of Viterbo on November 3. Or maybe you want to get a jump on the traditional Valentine celebration by feting St. Valentine of Raetia on January 7. Women might choose to honor the only female St. Valentine (Valentina), a virgin martyred in Palestine on July 25, A.D. 308. The Eastern Orthodox Church officially celebrates St. Valentine twice, once as an elder of the church on July 6 and once as a martyr on July 30.[3]

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[1] Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts “Jesus teaches the disciples” copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

[3] https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine

 

Epiphany 5 reflection

Jesus gives us the Beatitudes. Teaching us to store up our treasures in Heaven and not on Earth.  In our lesson for today Jesus taught us the right way to act and interact with others and to store up our treasures in Heaven. Today we will  learn that the Beatitudes teach us to BE kind, to BE humble, to Be loving, and to BE gentle.

Hymn: #39 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty

Prayer:  O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people, That we who suffer the consequences of this broken world may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name. [1]

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.

That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

–Luke 6:17-26

¹⁷ He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, ¹⁸ who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, ¹⁹ and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

²⁰ Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.
²² Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich,
    for you have already received your comfort.
²⁵ Woe to you who are well fed now,
    for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
    for you will mourn and weep.
²⁶ Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
    for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Hymn:# 40 How Firm A Foundation Vv. 1-3

In today's scripture story, Jesus is speaking to us reminding us that God is always with us.

• What Jesus is saying in today's passage:

• "If the world seems against you - God is with you."
• "If it seems everyone’s mad at you - God is with you."
• "Do you sometimes feel all alone? - God is with you."
• Maybe it's enough just to know that God is with us on our worst days.
• But, God also wants to help us move through these worst days in ways that are best for us.
• Jesus shows us how to invite God into our daily lives so that no matter how our day is going, we know how to listen for and follow any instructions or reminders that God is offering us.
• When we do that – when we receive God’s help – then even our bad days have hope.
• And, if we’re not having a bad day, we can still choose to receive God’s help in the ways Jesus teaches us. When we do that, then we might better see and know how to help those who are having one of those really bad days.[2]

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). 

This is hard for us to believe sometimes, given the trials that life often brings us. 

From the darkness, depths, and despair of disease, depression, loneliness, and poverty, we cry out "Where are you in this God?" "Are you even listening?" "Do you even care?"

Still - God is with us.  He is with you.  He cares about you. And loves you.  Jesus says to you as he said to his disciples, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

Jesus understands. He knows your suffering. Because he suffered all things in his death on the cross. 

He cries alongside you.  Much more than this. Jesus has overcome your suffering in his resurrection from the dead. 

He forgives you.  He's taken all the guilt that's been oppressing you for years.  He promises you deliverance from the diseases, illnesses, and all other things gone wrong in this lifetime. 

We all have this hope and promise in Jesus in life everlasting.

As we look forward to that paradise, Jesus has promised us, "I am with you always."  He's with you in his Word.  He promises to hear your prayers, cries, and groans. 

He surrounds you with the presence and support of loved ones.  Look hard enough and long enough, and you will see God's mercy and love in Jesus being shown to you.

Wherever you find yourself today - on the mountaintop of good news. Or in the dark valley of pain and illness –

know this:  Jesus is with you always. To the end of the age.  He loves you.  He gave his life for you.  And he is risen for you.  [3]

In our reading for today Jesus said, ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.’

Jesus taught that we should be happy even if we were having hard times because our rewards are in Heaven.

Notice that Jesus didn't say, "Happy are they who have a lot of money" or "Happy are they who have plenty to eat and dine in fancy restaurants." He didn't even say, "Happiness is a warm blanket." What he did say was, "When you follow me, happiness will come.  Rejoice! A great reward awaits you in heaven."  

Here the Savior describes those who are his own.

They are poor in spirit. They know of their need for a Savior. The Psalmist writes, “Then I acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5

They hunger after a righteousness. They do not have it because of their own effort. They rest on God’s amazing grace.

They bear the cross. We hear the Savior’s invitation: “Come unto me all you who are weary by the cares of this life. Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

God’s grace turns poverty into riches/ hunger into satisfaction/ weeping into laughter.  Because God is always with you.  

Collect for humility – O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace.

Lord Jesus thank you for your love and care. Direct us in all that we do to show Your love to others.  

Hymn # 40 How Firm A Foundation Vv. 4-5

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.

The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer. [4]

Hymn #37 He’s God the Whole World in His Hands

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[1] Collect for Epiphany 6

[2] Luke 6:17-26 Children’s Sermon

[3] Facebook post 1.16.2025 by Pr. Carl Hingst

[4] September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org)

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things