Catechesis Notes for Week — Summer Stories from the Gospel of Luke— The Faithful Servant is that minister of the Gospel who, standing upon the confession of faith in Christ, faithfully preaches the Gospel and administers the Sacraments of Christ according to Jesus’ institution and for the saving benefit of sinners. Christ Brings Division and Suffering returns to the theme that where there is faith in Christ and the confession of the name of Jesus, there will be opposition and hatred directed against the Church and everyone who confesses the name of Jesus. But again, this suffering carries the promise of eternal life with Christ. The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree is an illustration of how the Lord is patient and long-suffering, desiring all to repent and believe the Gospel. A Woman is Healed on the Sabbath teaches us that Jesus is the source of true Sabbath rest and that all who cling to the confession of faith in Jesus are the true sons of Abraham. The Mustard Seed teaches us that Christ, planted in this world by the preaching of the Gospel, looks to be the most insignificant word in all the earth, yet He produces a mighty congregation of believers among whom the Holy Spirit dwells to give the shelter of His forgiveness and salvation to all who enter here.  CP250713