Christ For You

Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:18-19\nGradual: Ps. 120:1-2

Old Testament: Prov. 9:1-10 

Psalm 34:12-22 (antiphon: v. 11)

Epistle: Eph. 2:13-22

       or 1 John 3:13-18

ProperVerse: Ps. 7:17

Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

The Gospel Call Goes Out to All\nWisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight" (Prov. 9:5_6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15_24). For "you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13_22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13_18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end.

Introit: Ps. 13:1-4; antiphon: Ps. 13:5-6

Gradual: Ps. 41:4, 1

Old Testament: Gen. 15:1-6

Psalm 33:12-22 (antiphon: v. 20)

Epistle: 1 John 4:16-21

ProperVerse: Ps. 7:1

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Faith Trusts in Christ for Life Eternal

When the beggar Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. For he was truly Abraham's seed. Like Abraham, he believed in the Lord, and the Lord "counted it to him as righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). The name Lazarus means "God is my help." The unnamed rich man, on the other hand, did not love and trust in God. For he evidently cared little for the beggar at his gate. And "he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20). He who loved and trusted in possessions and prestige died and was in torments in Hades (Luke 16:19_31). Repentance and faith are worked only through Moses and the prophets„that is, the Word of God, for it points us to Christ. Only through His death and resurrection are we brought the comfort of life everlasting.