Congregation at Prayer

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Lord’s Care and Provision for His Rebellious People—This week’s Old Testament stories highlight God’s grace toward His rebellious people. Despite the mighty deliverance they had experienced in their deliverance from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, they grumbled and complained against the Lord throughout their wilderness sojourn to Mount Sinai. In Bitter Water Made Sweet it appeared to Israel as if they would die of thirst in the wilderness, but the Lord would not allow them to perish. He sweetened the water so that they could drink, and it would sustain life. In The Bread from Heaven they again grumbled against the Lord and accused Him of not caring for them by letting them starve in the wilderness. Again, the Lord provided manna from heaven and quail to eat in abundance. But even in their eating, they demonstrated ungratefulness and accused the Lord of abandoning them. In the Water from the Rock we see the source of every temporal and spiritual blessing: Christ, the Rock of our salvation. The Lord commanded Moses to strike the rock in the wilderness. Water gushed forth, completely satisfying every need of the entire congregation. By this water their thirst was quenched, and He would continue to provide for them from the rock throughout their sojourn. This rock is a picture of Christ. He is the Rock of our salvation. On the altar of the cross He was struck with a spear and blood and water gushed forth for the life and salvation of all who look to Him in faith. The First Battle announces the first of many victories that the Lord would give to Israel throughout their pilgrimage and as they would experience in the conquest of the Promised Land. Finally, this week’s Passion reading from St. Matthew is: Jesus Celebrates the Passover. This reading, so central to our Lord’s Passion, teaches us that every sacrifice and feast of the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the true Passover Lamb. He was slaughtered for us upon the altar of the cross and in His supper we eat and drink of His body and blood for our salvation.CP230305

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Promise Fulfilled in Triumphal Victory — This week’s Bible narratives bring us to the fulfillment of God’s promise to deliver His people from slavery in the Exodus. Exodus means, “the way out”—the “way out of slavery” was by the blood of the Passover Lamb. That Old Testament feast, involving the shedding of the Lamb’s blood and the eating of the Passover is fulfilled in the death of Christ and the Lord’s Supper. Israel Journeys to the Red Sea in their exodus from Egypt where the Lord Fights for Israel, delivering them through water from the pursuing Egyptians. The Red Sea crossing is a wonderful picture of Holy Baptism. We hear the sweet words of Gospel in what Moses tells the fearful children of Israel, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you this day!” From beginning to end, salvation is entirely the Lord’s doing. These Old Testament narratives further illuminate how the promises of the Gospel find their fulfillment in Christ’s work for us in His death and resurrection. The Song of Moses celebrates this great victory over the Egyptians, even as we sing the songs of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the power of the Evil One. Finally, our Wednesday Lenten midweek meditations begin this week with the first reading from the St. Matthew Passion, Jesus Is Anointed at Bethany. In this reading we will meditate upon the gift of Holy Baptism and how we are united to Christ and He with us in Baptism. Jesus was anointed to die. In our Baptism, we are united to His death and resurrection through water and the Word.CP230226

Catechesis Notes for the Week — Psalm 31: A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Comfort for the Lord’s Deliverance—Jesus was hated, so will His Christians be. Jesus was assaulted by the Evil One, so will His Christians be. Jesus suffered much at the hands of those spiritual and earthly forces that tried to destroy Him, and so will His Christians be. Yet through all of this the Lord God sustained Him, and He will sustain His Christians too. Psalm 31 is a great example of how we pray THROUGH CHRIST for all the comfort, help, and strength that God promises to give us. We are actually praying for the things that God promises. This is what gives Christian prayer its certainty. This understanding appears at the beginning of the psalm: “Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress to save me” (the petition); “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me” (the confident assertion of faith). The certainty that God hears our prayers is anchored in the great truths of the Gospel that He promises and declares to us. “Since He is our God and Savior, since He has redeemed me from all sin, death and the power of the devil, THEN I can be confident that He hears my prayers for His deliverance, and I will give thanks to Him for the assurance of His answer to my prayers!” Confidence in God’s promises of deliverance rests in what Jesus has done for us in His death and resurrection. Christ is, therefore, the One who gives certainty and confidence to our prayers! In Psalm 31 we can hear Jesus’ own prayers. He faced every challenge for us! He endured in the confidence that His Father in heaven was His refuge and strength! And the Lord heard His prayers. In His suffering, persecution, and death, Jesus confidently commended Himself to His Father in heaven: “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; Deliver Me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute Me.” We pray these same prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and in the full assurance of faith, because we are joined to Him. It is for Jesus’ sake that we commend ourselves to God: “For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” As Jesus prayed these words with confidence from the cross, we are enabled to pray them with confidence in Him and in His redemption.CP230219

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Lord Remembers His Promise to Save His People—When the Lord “remembers” it does not mean that He had forgotten, but rather that He is acting according to His promise of salvation to us. When we “remember” the Lord, we are recalling His promises to us and calling out to Him on the basis of those promises. This week’s readings continue the narrative of God’s call to Moses to redeem the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt. In the Lord Goes with Moses to Egypt, we learn of Moses’ doubts and apprehension. The Lord promises to go with him and gives him signs to show before Pharaoh and his brother Aaron to speak on his behalf. When Moses Goes to Pharaoh the Lord’s prediction comes true. Pharaoh hardens his heart and life for the children of Israel becomes even more difficult as they have to gather their own straw to make bricks. The children of Israel are distraught and speak against Moses. In a powerful proclamation of God’s saving acts that He performed on the basis of His promises, the Lord Promises Deliverance. The Lord foretold to Moses everything that would unfold for him before Pharaoh and what he was to do. In the Lord Gives Signs, the Lord demonstrates His superiority over the gods of Egypt and how He will harden Pharaoh’s heart that He might gain honor over Pharaoh. The Plagues are a set of nine plagues in three groups of three which demonstrate that the Lord God of Israel is the only true and living God over the false gods of Egypt. The water turned into blood, the frogs, and the lice demonstrate the Lord’s judgment against the Egyptian gods of the underworld. The flies, the diseased livestock, and the boils demonstrate the Lord’s judgment against the Egyptian gods of the earthly plane. And the plagues of hail, locusts, and darkness demonstrate the Lord’s judgment against the Egyptian gods of the overworld. Through this public display before Egypt and Israel, the Lord demonstrates that He is the only true and living God.

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Catechesis Notes for the Week — God’s Blessing Is Always Anchored in His Grace — The narrative of Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt concludes this week with a clear and unmistakable proclamation of God’s grace. Jacob’s Blessings Before He Dies show how each of the twelve sons of Jacob are part of God’s gracious providence to the house of Israel. Each of them had his place. Each was called by God’s name. Each of them had their share in the blessing of God’s grace through the promise made to the fathers. Joseph Continues to Show Mercy to His Brothers by one final act of absolution. After the death of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers feared that he would take revenge upon them. He did not! But in the stead of the Lord of all grace, Joseph proclaimed the Lord’s absolution to them yet again, “Do not be afraid…you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive…do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” After centuries in Egypt, the children of Israel grew to the tens of thousands. A wicked Pharaoh began to oppress them and subject them to bitter bondage. They would learn through their suffering to cry out to the Lord for deliverance according to the promise made to the patriarchs. The Birth of Moses marks a new chapter in the history of God’s people. Moses would be trained in the household of Pharaoh, but he did not forget his people. At the age of 40, Moses Flees to Midian where he becomes a shepherd and marries Jethro’s daughter Zipporah. For the next 40 years, the Lord would prepare him to be the most important prophet in the Old Testament, the one who would lead the children of Israel out of bondage. Upon Mount Sinai, I AM Appears to Moses in the Burning Bush and calls him to be His spokesman before Pharaoh and the children of Israel. The time of their bondage was drawing to a close. The eternal God of the promise of salvation would make good on His promise and rescue His people.CP230205

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Power of the Forgiveness of Sins—The dramatic story of Joseph’s interactions with his brothers continues in this week’s readings. The true identity of the prince of Egypt remained hidden from his brothers, but the truth of their sin and what they had done to Joseph and their father Jacob was coming to the light of day. God worked repentance in their hearts, turning them away from their self-righteous sins of hatred of their father and brother to a confession of their sin and a yearning for the Lord’s salvation. When the prince’s cup was found in Benjamen’s sack and they were given the opportunity to abandon him, Judah Intercedes for Benjamin before Joseph, offering himself in exchange for his brother, giving us a picture of Jesus, the greater descendant of Judah, who would intercede for us. It grieved Joseph to have had to treat his brothers so roughly, but it was necessary in order to save them from impenitence and condemnation. Joseph Forgives His Brothers. He can bear it no longer. He must reveal himself to them, not to punish them but to forgive them and celebrate the gift of God’s grace. Joseph was motivated by the undeserved forgiveness and grace of the Lord that he himself had received and that had sustained him throughout the hardships of his life which eventually brought him to the pinnacle of Egyptian power. The power of Christ’s forgiveness is revealed in Joseph’s radical and wonderful words to his brothers, “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” By the grace of God, Joseph declared that “God works in all things for our good” (Romans 8:28). In the strength of God’s forgiveness, Joseph is reconciled to his brothers, Jacob Journeys to Egypt to See Joseph, Jacob Settles in the Land of Goshen with all his sons and family, and Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons. The line of the Messiah is preserved and in Joseph’s Vow he pledges to return his father’s body to the land of promise for burial. The Lord was present with Joseph throughout his life, working all things for good, by the power of Christ’s forgiving grace.CP230129

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Gift of Faithful Pastors — This week gives us opportunity to meditate upon three minor festivals that commemorate the gift of pastors. St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor, became a catechumen of Paul on Paul’s second missionary journey. His Jewish mother and grandmother are credited with teaching him the Scriptures from childhood. Timothy continued with Paul and became a fellow minister of the Gospel who would train other men to be pastors.  The Conversion of St. Paul commemorates the grace of God that calls obstinate, self-righteous sinners to repentance and faith. Saul of Tarsus met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, Syria. He had letters in hand from the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem to arrest those who called on the name of the Lord Jesus. This embittered Pharisee and persecutor of the Church became, by the grace of God, a faithful apostle of the Gospel he once tried to destroy. St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor, was a Greek convert to the Christian faith from Antioch, Syria. Titus assisted Paul in the distribution of funds collected to assist the poor, suffering Church of Judea. Like Timothy, Titus was an envoy of the Apostle Paul to many of the churches throughout Asia and Greece. He assisted in the training of pastors in those cities and would end his life as the bishop of Crete. CP230122

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Ministry of a Faithful Brother—The lengthy account of Joseph from Genesis speaks of the overwhelming power of God’s grace to sustain and guide us in our vocation as Christians. Through all the things that Joseph suffered, the Lord was with him and blessed him especially in suffering. Joseph is finally remembered by Pharaoh’s butler and brought before the king of Egypt. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams, detailing for Pharaoh not only what the future held—seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine—but also advising the heathen king for the benefit of the unbelieving nation of Egypt. Joseph served his neighbor faithfully for his neighbor’s welfare. Pharaoh received Joseph’s interpretation as the Word of the Lord. Once again, the Lord blessed Joseph. Joseph Becomes the Prince of Egypt, being raised up, not really by Pharaoh but by God to bring about God’s salvation. The wise administration of the affairs of Egypt prepared them for the years of famine and enabled the Egyptians to be of service to others. In Joseph’s Brothers Journey to Egypt to Buy Food, the hardship of famine draws them to Egypt and right into the hands of Joseph. Of course, many years have passed since they sold their brother into slavery. He is now dressed like an Egyptian. He speaks Egyptian. He uses an interpreter to communicate with his brothers. They do not recognize him. Joseph’s apparent suspicion and harsh treatment of his brothers is not an act of vengeance or retribution. Rather, they needed a pastor—a faithful brother who could minister God’s Word to them and bring them back to the Lord’s salvation. Joseph Feeds His Brothers and Sends Them to Jacob out of love for them, to draw the truth from them, and to show them how much they needed to confess the truth that they have denied for years. In the midst of this week’s narrative surrounding Joseph’s faithful ministry to his brothers, we hear the Confession of St. Peter. Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” is the ROCK upon which the Church is built. It is the pillar of truth, the foundation for our faith, and the ground of certainty and comfort. It is the confession of all true Christians today.CP230115

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Weakness of the Fathers and the Lord’s Faithfulness—This week we return to the continuous readings from the Old Testament. Throughout this week’s narrative we see the weakness of the Old Testament fathers, but also the faithfulness of the Lord. He had promised to be with them, to call them to repentance for sin, and to sustain them by His grace despite their ongoing struggles. This is of great comfort to us in our baptismal pilgrimage. In Jacob Returns to Isaac His Father we hear the account of Rachel’s death in childbirth with Benjamin. Before she died, she called the child “Son of My Sorrow”, but Jacob confessed his faith, even during grief, naming him “Benjamin” which means, “Son of the Right Hand.” After the listing of Jacob’s twelve sons, we learn of the death of Isaac. Joseph was called to be a prophet of the Lord. The Lord revealed himself to Joseph through dreams. This calling inspired jealousy among Joseph’s brothers. Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him into Slavery out of a self-righteous faith. As the narrative unfolds, we see the weakness of Jacob’s fourth born son and his offspring in the account of Judah and Tamar. Through the sordid details of chapter 38, we learn that Judah unwittingly commits fornication with his daughter-in-law, believing her to be a prostitute. The long running narrative of Joseph continues in Joseph Is a Slave in Egypt and Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison. Throughout his sojourn in Egypt, the Lord was with Joseph, sustaining his faith and working His good in Joseph’s life and service to others. Though blessed as a faithful servant of Potiphar, he is falsely accused of adultery by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. While in prison, the Lord prospers his work. Joseph is given the opportunity to serve and continue the work of a prophet, interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker. The story of Joseph and the Lord’s faithfulness to him in suffering are an example of that which St. Paul would later write: “God works in all things for our good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).CP230108

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Seventh Petition—“Rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation.” When we pray the Seventh Petition, “but deliver us from evil,” we might be tempted to conclude that we are asking that “evil” never rear its head in our lives. This misses the mark. Evil will come into our lives in the form of Satan’s attacks upon our “body and soul, possessions and reputation.” Holy Scripture makes this clear. We will not be spared from being attacked. God wills that the attacks of evil against us serve the cause of faith. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.” Therefore, in the Seventh Petition we are asking that God would preserve our faith in Christ when we are assaulted by the Evil One, and teach us to commend ourselves—body, soul, and spirit, with all that we are and have—into His gracious keeping. The Word of our Lord teaches us that He will not forsake His own. If He allows evil to enter our lives, then He does so for His good purposes and for the exercise of faith in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This petition promises the Christian: “God will not allow the Evil One or any adversity to overwhelm you.” By this petition He invites you to trust this promise and to call upon Him in your need. In this way faith in Christ is active.  CP230101