Congregation at Prayer

Catechesis Notes for the Week — “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me” – When Jesus speaks these words to the disciples, He calls them and us to live the baptismal life. The cross always means death. When we become a Christian, we die to our sinful self in the call to “contrition and repentance that the new man might come forth and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” Our lives, as baptized Christians, are patterned after Christ’s life of death and resurrection. In the Transfiguration we not only see the deity of Christ shining through His humanity, but we also see the glory that waits us all in the resurrection. St. James the Elder, Apostle is celebrated this Tuesday. He is the first of the Twelve to be martyred for His faith. The reading from Acts 11 highlights his martyrdom, but also God’s providence that spared Peter until another day. The call to follow Jesus resulted in James’ literal martyrdom, but by it he gave witness to the suffering and death of Jesus for our salvation. When a Boy Is Healed after the Transfiguration, we see the violence that is often associated with the miracle of faith. The old nature must die; the new nature must rise. But in the end, there is peace. Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection more frequently as He draws near to Jerusalem to suffer. The disciples would later remember these words which would be a source of strength as well as a catechesis on what is at the center of all Apostolic doctrine. Finally, we see in the question In Who Is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus sets forth a dependent child as the picture of what it is to be a Christian. His most severe condemnation is for anyone who would cause one of His little ones who believe in Him to stumble. It would be better if they had never been born. God’s love and desire to save is the motivation for going to an impenitent brother in If Your Brother Sins. Ultimately such encounters are to serve the sole purpose of bringing about repentance and restoring those who have gone astray from the faith.CP230723

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Jesus Is the Great “I AM”—The Christ, the Son of the Living God—This week’s Bible narratives from the Gospel according to St. Matthew show forth the divinity of Jesus. The confession of the Church is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. As Jesus Walks on the Water, the disciples are afraid and think that He is a ghost. Jesus reply is poorly translated in most English Bibles. Instead of the typical translation, “It is I” Jesus actually said, “I AM”— the name God gave Moses at the burning bush. Jesus demonstrated that He is the Son of God, the great “I AM” not only with His words, but also by the miracle of walking on the water. In this miracle, the raging seas are under His feet proclaiming Him the Lord and Savior from divine judgment, sin, and death. In Out of Man’s Heart Proceed Evil Thoughts, Jesus teaches us the all-pervasive nature of the corruption of sin we inherited from Adam. In a Canaanite Woman Trusts Jesus’ Word, we see the miracle of faith that the Word of the Gospel produced in a Gentile woman whose daughter was demon-possessed. Though her experiences spoke against her with the false message that Jesus was not for her and that He did not care, she held fast to the promise of the Gospel spoken to Abraham, namely that Abraham’s Seed was the Savior of all nations. Jesus commends her faith because her faith was exclusively in Him and the promise of salvation in Jesus’ name. In the Feeding of the 4,000, the second of Jesus’ great feeding miracles, we again see that Jesus is the bread of life, but not for the Jews only (the feeding of the 5,000), but also for all nations (the feeding of the 4,000). In this miracle it is the third day (an allusion to the resurrection). There are seven loaves (the number for the Lord and the seven nations that had surrounded Israel). The number 4 is associated with “the four-winds” or “the four corners” of the earth, signifying that the Gospel will go out into all the world to draw all sinners to the feast of salvation. In the Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign, Jesus warns the disciples concerning their “works-righteous doctrine” and lays out for us that the only “sign” that will be given to prove that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the sign of Jonah, namely, Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the Confession of Peter and His Rebuke, we learn that the confession that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God” is not only the foundation of the Church’s confession, but it is also why Peter is rebuked by Jesus when He denies that Jesus’ suffering and death is at the center of that confession.CP230716

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven — What are parables? Are they stories or illustrations that make the complex easier to understand? Not necessarily. Even Jesus’ disciples had difficulty understanding the parables. “Why do You speak to them in parables?” they asked Jesus. To this Jesus replied, “because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” The parables of Jesus so often describe the grace of God in the Gospel of Christ which is otherwise hidden from those who do not believe. Even Christians can have a difficult time understanding the parables. Parables are intended to help us ponder the mysteries of God’s grace in Christ which is very different from the world’s way of thinking. This helps to explain why parables often take strange twists and turns that are unexpected, like a sower who sows seed all over the place and not just on the good soil. The Parable of the Tares and the Wheat teaches us that believers and unbelievers will coexist in the world until the Judgment, and that the identity of the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the wicked one is often hidden and will not be revealed until the end of the age. In the Parables of the Kingdom, the mustard seed is Christ planted in this world by the Gospel—it is a Word that looks to be the most insignificant word in all the earth, yet He produces a mighty congregation of believers. The Gospel of Christ is like leaven that spreads faith in Christ often imperceptibly. Redemption in Christ is taught by the man who buys the entire field in order to obtain the treasure, or the merchant that pays the ultimate price to obtain the pearl. Our value is in the price that Christ paid for our redemption. The Parable of the Dragnet teaches us that on the Last Day the angels of God will gather together all people, separating unbelievers from believers, and casting unbelievers into hell. This week concludes with events in Jesus’ ministry that both follow and illustrate the kingdom parables. In John the Baptist Is Beheaded we see the depths of human depravity among those who reject the call to repentance and violently oppose the Gospel. In the Feeding of the 5,000 Jesus shows Himself to be the bread of life and the One who will provide His ministers with all that they need to feed the sheep with manna from heaven. CP230709

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Faith in the Midst of Unbelief — This week’s biblical narratives from Matthew and Luke illustrate the dramatic contrast between faith in Christ and unbelief. The week begins with the story of the Visitation in which Mary, newly pregnant with Jesus, visits her cousin Elizabeth who is six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Both women are filled with the Holy Spirit and joyful penitent faith in the Lord. Mary’s famous greeting, the Magnificat, confesses her total devotion to the Lord, her Savior. Elizabeth’s prophecy, “Blessed are you among women…” and the infant John leaping for joy in her womb, highlight not only the presence of faith in Christ, but also the joy and peace that such faith brings to sinners. In contrast, the ongoing stories from Matthew begin with Jesus’ call out of unbelief to faith, in Jesus Preaches Repentance and Faith. The woes spoken to Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum warn of the impending doom for those who reject Jesus. Yet the Gospel teaches that the sinner who is burdened and heavy laden finds his comfort and rest in Jesus’ mercy. In Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus teaches the self-righteous Pharisees that true rest is found in what He does for sinners, rather than in what sinners do for God. Jesus desires to give God’s mercy and not to receive our sacrifices. In Jesus Heals on the Sabbath, He not only teaches that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, but that God’s divine service of goodness and mercy to us is the source of true Sabbath rest. The unbelief and hardness of heart toward Jesus is on display in the accusation levelled against Jesus that He cast out demons by the power of Satan rather than by the power of God. But Jesus’ reply, a House Divided Cannot Stand, teaches us that it is by the Spirit of God that Jesus delivers from the power of Satan and establishes God’s kingdom of grace. To use the Words of the Catechism, “I cannot by my own reason or strength believe, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel…” Where is true faith found? According to Jesus, a Tree is Known by its Fruit, and the fruit of true repentance and faith is in the words of a sincere confession of sin and faith in God’s mercy. The week concludes with the Parable of the Sower and the Seed in which Jesus teaches us that the miracle of faith is made possible by the Word of God alone which He, the faithful Sower, plants in the soil of our hearts.CP230702

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Jesus’ Pastoral Care and the Ministry—The ministry of the Gospel and Sacraments is about Jesus coming to us with His Word and Spirit both personally and corporately. When the disciples questioned Jesus about fasting, He spoke to them about how He was the bridegroom sent from heaven and by the “new Gospel” of His love there is cause for great rejoicing by those who follow Him. In a Girl Is Raised and a Woman Is Healed the personal character of Jesus’ ministry is revealed. The woman’s flow of blood was dried up by the touch of His garment. Similarly, by the ordinary earthly elements of water, bread, and wine Jesus comes with healing to each of us. Jesus’ raising of the little girl not only indicates His power over death, but also His love in the comfort He brought to the little girl’s family as they were reunited in life. Two Blind Men Are Healed shows us the confession of faith in Jesus that every Christian has. They were beggars. They had nothing and were totally dependent upon Christ. He was the object of their faith, and His mercy delivered them. This personal ministry for sinners in need of God’s grace is seen in the Sending Out of the Twelve who, by Jesus’ authority, are called to demonstrate His compassion for those who are “like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus the Good Shepherd provides His under-shepherds to care for all the sheep of His flock. This faithful pastoral care carries with it the Promise of Persecution as ministers go out on His behalf. They are called to depend upon the Lord’s provisions alone, and when they suffer persecution, they testify to Him whose persecution brought about the salvation of those to whom they preach. Confessing Christ Before Men carries the comforting promise that Jesus will confess us before His Father who is in heaven. When John the Baptist Sends Disciples to Jesus for comfort and assurance that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus directs them to His saving ministry of Word and deed whereby He fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus’ ministry is also celebrated this week in the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. By the Gospel of Jesus, these two sinners were made faithful apostles of Christ, proclaiming His forgiving grace to individuals and congregations alike. CP230625

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Power of the Finished Work of Christ — The power of Jesus’ finished work is on display this week in the readings from Matthew. This power to save, heal, deliver from death, and cleanse from sin is delivered to us by Jesus’ Word. Faith receives the Word of Christ and trusts in its power to save. In Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant, we see faith in Christ’s Word as the centurion comes to Jesus on behalf of his servant. He confesses his unworthiness and declares, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” In Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law, we see the power of Jesus’ touch to restore health and “with a word” to cast out evil spirits and healed all who were sick. In Jesus Stills the Storm, He rebuked the wind and the wave, showing His power over divine judgement. When the Two Demon-Possessed Men Are Healed, we see how the demons know who Jesus is as the Son of God but are afraid of Him and His Word. This same reaction was seen in the people from the city of the Gergesenes who begged Him to depart from them. Without repentant faith in Christ, the unbeliever is afraid of Jesus and the power of His Word to save. In Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic, we see that He has given the authority of His Word to forgive sins to the Church who, by her called ministers, forgives sin in Jesus’ stead and by His command. Each Christian also has the divine mandate to forgive others according to the station and calling God has given to them. “That you my know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” … and when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” Finally, the call of Jesus’ Word to faith and into the Office of the Ministry is seen in Matthew, the Tax Collector. “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Ultimately, the power of Jesus’ word rests upon His finished work of salvation for us and for the whole world in His death and resurrection. If Jesus had not atoned for sin and defeated death upon the cross, He would not have risen from the dead nor would His Word have had any power to save. This power and authority of Jesus’ Word emanates from His saving work upon the cross and reaches forward and backward in time to save.CP230618

CP230611Catechesis Notes for the Week — Abraham believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness—The righteousness of God is the death of Jesus that covers our sin with God’s forgiveness. The righteousness of God in Christ’s death was witnessed throughout the Old Testament Scriptures of the Law and the Prophets. “Abraham believed in the Lord, and [the Lord] accounted it [faith in the promise of salvation] to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Out of this faith in the promise of salvation, Abraham declared to Isaac, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8). Out of this faith Moses preached to the children of Israel, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13). By the promise of the Gospel they were called to faith in the righteousness of Christ centuries before His death. Christ is the Lamb of God which God Himself provided for our salvation. Christ accomplished everything that was necessary for our salvation in His death upon the cross. God set forth Jesus as the propitiation for our sin—the true “mercy seat” or “place of forgiveness”—through His blood. This is why Jesus speaks to us of His blood in the Sacrament of the Altar, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” For the sake of Christ’s righteousness and in the forbearance of God, the Lord passed over the sins of the people of old that He might “be just” or “perform His righteousness” in the death of His Son, as He had promised in the Scriptures, and justify all sinners through faith in Him. The Word of God calls us to faith in Christ Jesus by whom we are justified or declared righteous as a free gift of God’s grace. Christ is the content of justifying faith. He is presented to us in the Word. God is just or righteous in Christ, because Christ has made full atonement for our sin in His death and has redeemed us from sin through the shedding of His blood. God is just or righteous in declaring us righteous for Jesus’ sake. The righteousness of God is received as a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus and all that He has done for us. The object of saving or justifying faith is always and only Christ Jesus who suffered and died for us. Faith believes that Jesus is the righteousness of God and it is this righteousness alone that saves us from all sin and reconciles us to God. – Excerpted from Lutheran Catechesis: Catechist Edition, p. 106e.

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Jesus’ Call, the Beatitudes, and His Teaching on Righteousness—Our walk through the Gospel of Matthew continues with Jesus’ Ministry and the Call of the Fishermen to be “fishers of men.” These men were called from their livelihood as fishers to be in fulltime ministry as Jesus’ Apostles. In Jesus’ ministry they observed the power of the divine Word that they were called to preach. Throughout their three years with Jesus, they would learn dependance upon Him. The Sermon on the Mount begins with The Beatitudes which are first a description of Jesus Himself, who is poor in spirit, meek, and merciful, and then a description of what we share in through faith in Him. Faith in Christ is poor in spirit, contrite, meek, merciful, pure in heart, and hungers and thirsts for righteousness. The promise of faith in Christ is that the kingdom of heaven is ours, we shall be comforted, and we shall be filled with righteousness. Every blessing of the Beatitudes is ours through faith in Christ. Christ’s Righteousness Fulfills the Law teaches us that every jot and tittle of the Law is fulfilled by Jesus. He is without sin, and He dies upon the cross to fulfill the Law’s demands for us. This is the righteousness that is “greater than the Scribes and Pharisees” and it is received by faith alone. To counter all notions of pharisaical self-righteousness, Jesus expounds upon You Shall Not Murder, You Shall Not Commit Adultery, and You Shall Not Give False Testimony by teaching us that violation of the Law involves more than the outward act of murder, adultery, or lying. It also involves the heart. Hatred is murder. Lust is adultery. And every deceptive misleading word is of the Evil One. Jesus’ righteousness, received by faith, covers our sin and brings forth the blessed fruits that are described in the Beatitudes. CP230604

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Gift of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Matthew—This week of Pentecost we meditate upon the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Apostles, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” This promise guaranteed for them the miracle of the New Testament Scriptures. The Apostles witnessed everything that Jesus said and did. They witnessed His ministry as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. The Holy Spirit would bring this to their remembrance so that they could faithfully testify to Jesus in the New Testament Scriptures and deliver this message to us. Through the Apostolic Word we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and come to know and believe in all that Jesus is and has done for us and for the world. The promise of the Holy Spirit first given to the Apostles also applies to us as we hear and receive their testimony. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts and lives through the Word. The first three days this week we meditate upon the appointed readings for Pentecost, Pentecost Monday, and Pentecost Tuesday. The remainder of the summer we hear the voice of the Spirit as we walk through the eyewitness testimony of the Apostle and Evangelist, St. Matthew. Notice how often Matthew’s testimony of Jesus life and ministry is laced with quotations and allusions to the Old Testament witness of the prophets. In this way, our faith is strengthened by the two-fold witness of the Apostles and Prophets and Jesus is shown to be the savior of all nations as foretold in Old Testament and witnessed by the Apostles.CP230528

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Peace I Leave with You, My peace I give to you…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27) “This is a very precious, final word, that He does not leave them cities and castles, or silver and gold, but His peace as the greatest treasure in heaven and on earth. They are not to be afraid or to mourn but are to have true and lovely and longed-for peace in their hearts. For as far as it rests with Me, He says, you will have nothing but pure peace and joy. For My presence and preaching have taught you that I love you with all My heart, and desire only your good, and My Father looks upon you most graciously. This is the best gift I can leave to you. For this is the highest peace, when the heart is content; as it is said ‘the joy of the heart is the greatest of all joys’; and again, ‘the sorrow of the heart is the greatest of all sorrows.’” Martin LutherCP230521