May 2, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Lord's Prayer - The First Petition

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 31:1-18; Luke 6:1-19

“God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.”(Small Catechism: The Lord’s Prayer - The First Petition, Explanation)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do or had someone lie about you behind your back? It can be a devasting experience with enormous relational consequences that are difficult to undo. It is difficult to trust someone again after they have spoken so poorly of you, and sometimes, it can be difficult to get other people to trust you when they heard you were an [insert rumor here]. How we speak about one another is such a big deal that God has dedicated an entire commandment to it (the eighth). Reputational damage matters because it obstructs people’s clear view of who you are and gives them a license to devalue you as a forgiven child of God. 

How much more does it matter when God’s name or reputation is damaged? How could God’s reputation possibly be damaged? Well, when His Word is taught incorrectly, people have an incorrect view of who He is. Perhaps His Word is taught in such a way that they imagine Him to be spiteful and arrogant, unconcerned with the needs of people. Imagine if His word is taught incorrectly, so they imagine him to be unconcerned with sin and evil. What if they just have absolutely no interest in knowing who God is because His people have behaved in a horrendous way, treating other beloved children of God like trash or vermin, turning them away from His love for them? In order to honor (hallow) God’s name, we must concern ourselves with the words He says, how He intends them to be understood, and also how we internalize those words and live them in our lives. I know that probably makes me a bad Lutheran to say that, but we are actually quoting the catechism here, so I’m going to roll with it. Luther tells us plainly that we disgrace God’s name when we do not lead holy lives according to His Word. Does this mean that we need to be perfect? Yes and no. According to the law, yes, we need to live perfectly, but don’t stop there. God’s law isn’t the entirety of His Word to us. We can also confess our faith in His gospel when we are eager to confess our sins and failures, to seek forgiveness, and are quick to grant forgiveness to others. The holiest thing we can do is point to our Savior, who saves us from our sins out of His endless mercy, who saves our neighbors from their sins, and proclaim Him clearly by speaking that gospel and behaving as if each of us are sinners grasping for the endless mercies of our gracious God. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Father, grant that by Your grace They may Your will each day embrace; With fruits of faith their lives now bless, Till they at death Your name confess (LSB 599:5)

- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary Services

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.