Today's Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9; Matthew 9:1-17

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:5-7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As Christians we enter the Ark of the Church through the same means that kills, yet saves: water. Baptism seals us into the Ark like sanctified pitch, yet instead of tar residue we are blessed with a watermark that confesses our faith to the world! You are a baptized child of God! But what does that mean? To ask it another way: What is in a name? As Lutherans we believe the biblical truth that Baptism saves us. Likewise, we believe that when the pastor says, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," God has written our name in the Book of Life and placed His Name upon us. Thus, we are "little Christs." With that lavish washing away of sins we are placed firmly in the Ark and separated from the multitudes of unbelievers. Baptism is the greatest blessing of regeneration, but what about living in a world that Jesus has told us will hate those who love Him? How should we interact with the world? What is our recourse? How do we approach a world that believes all things should be fair and/or equal? As Christians we simply continue in our vocation and let our faith speak for us. It might just bring a song to our lips.

Understanding that faith is given to Christians without any merit or work is one of the most important doctrinal truths that we have. Luther called this "justification by grace through faith" the chief article. It is the justification by God's own perfect grace that gives faith the weight to anchor down the most stubborn of souls. What a blessed state of affairs it is that God has not been fair to us and has instead been gracious with what is His to give. And what He has given from His abundance is the living faith within us. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Proverbs 25:6-14

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Matthew 8:18-34

Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

(Proverbs 25:6-7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It seems as if we just read about being exulted in our text yesterday. That's because we did. We were reminded of who we are outside of Baptism and who we are in our baptized lives. We, who were once dead to sin, in Baptism are made alive in Christ. In other words, you were once in the lowest place, claimed and bound by the devil, but then in the holy waters of Baptism you were made clean and brought out, bound to Christ and with the forgiveness of sins.

Here in Proverbs, we find the same thing placed into a different mouth and in a different testament. In these words we continue to carry with us the necessity not of holding ourselves higher than we ought, but of relying on Jesus to exalt us through the Sacraments. In those Sacraments, we have great hope within us. In order that people know of the hope within us, Christians are called to make a good, right, and salutary confession of faith. We are called to cut away the fat of heretical teachings and present the doctrine of true meat after milk. To this, the writer of Proverbs continues, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear" (Proverbs 25:11-12). Thus our words must be spoken precisely, confidently, and with a right confession of who Christ is, what He has done for us, how He grants us grace through His means, and the hope we have because of our Baptism. We look forward to Christ's coming again to judge the living and the dead. May the words of our mouths and our hearts' meditations be right, and may our words be fitly spoken to a world that needs to hear them.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-11

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40; Matthew 8:1-17

"But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’" (Luke 14:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" ask the disciples in Matthew 17. Christ answers that they will not even enter the kingdom of heaven unless they become like little children. Furthermore, Christ points out that disciples cannot become like little children unless they humble themselves and welcome the little children in Jesus' Name.

In Luke 14 we find Jesus being put to the test by the Pharisees' ruler as they were eating together on the Sabbath. Christ heals a man who has dropsy, which doesn't please the Pharisees because it is unlawful to work, or heal, in this case, on the Sabbath. Christ responds by asking who among them wouldn't save their brother or oxen if they had fallen on the Sabbath. None of them has an answer and then there is a shift in the tone of the text.

This seemingly abrupt change comes when Christ tells them the parable of the wedding feast, with its conclusion: Do not place yourself in the place of honor lest someone more important than you shows up, and you get demoted and shamed in front of everyone. It is better that to take the lowest seat and be asked to move up and your honor be shown before the feast. Christ warns them (and us) that it is not our place to exalt ourselves but to humble ourselves before men. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

I have trouble finding my way around this text in any way other than straight through the waters of Holy Baptism. We are born with our Old Adam firmly intact and rooted in our hearts. We are infantile infants. We are helpless and yet active sinners. We are the lowest we can be. That is, until a good Lord comes by and washes us clean of sickness, be it dropsy or death itself, and renews us with a right spirit. We are reborn, and the new Adam emerges in us. We are exalted. We have been exalted. Christ has done the exultation for us and to us and through us. Brother, son, Christian, move up and take the place of honor. Your sins are forgiven. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Introit for the 17th Sunday after Trinity

(Psalm 119:1-2, 5-6; antiphon: vs. 137, 124)

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:1-20; Matthew 7:13-29

Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. (From the Introit for the 17th Sunday after Trinity)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Christians desire that the Lord deal with us according to His mercy. That is, we acknowledge our sinfulness and know there is no hope of forgiveness apart from Jesus and what He has done for us. So we pray for the Lord's mercy in Jesus and we hear the Good News that for Jesus' sake we are forgiven.

Having heard God's mercy, as a new creation in Christ, we also desire to learn the Lord's statutes, His laws, His commandments. We desire to keep and follow them not to impress God, but for the good of our neighbor. We want them to see Christ's light shining through us and we want our words and actions to be helpful and loving and good for others.

This is why we go to church: to hear of God's mercy in Jesus, that our sins are forgiven, and to learn to love others as ourselves, and even more than ourselves. Whether it's the simplified Bible stories of early Sunday School or the deep dive into the Scriptures in Bible Study, whether it's the simple refrains of Scripture in the liturgy or a deep and meaningful hymn, whether it's the praise upon our lips or the gifts of Jesus delivered in water, Word, bread and wine--this is how the Holy Spirit teaches us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Show us your mercy, Lord. He does: It's Jesus! And teach us your statutes: He does as He loves others through your words and works. That's Christ living in you! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the salutary gift of your Supper, and we implore You that of your mercy you would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, You Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Adapted from the Post-Communion Collect, LSB)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Ephesians 3:13-21

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Matthew 7:1-12

Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. (Ephesians 3:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Truth is, the suffering of others is often for our benefit! Consider when you were born: It was painful and a struggle for your mother. Through that struggle, the Lord brought you into this world. Consider how your parents may have suffered while raising you: They worried about you and put up with your sins and mistakes. Consider military members or first responders who may be hurt or even killed, not for their own sake, but for the sake of those they serve.

Think about how God's own Son suffered in order to save us. He gave Himself up to be shamed and scorned and mocked and beaten and crucified and killed. He did that so your sins would be forgiven. He did that so you are saved and have eternal life.

When the Lord sent His preachers out into the world, they suffered many things, often awful things, to bring the Good News of Jesus to people. Paul doesn't mind. He understands that if he suffers for preaching the Gospel, but people hear and believe it, it will all have been worth it. In other words, his suffering was for the benefit of those who hear the Good News of Jesus.

Your pastor is no different. He struggles with the challenges of trying to faithfully preach and care for Jesus' flock. He is often saddened to see when things don't seem to work out. He prays earnestly for the salvation of God's people. It's a battle, but one he is willing to suffer through for your sake.

You see, when we suffer for the good of others, we are learning that they are more important than we are. Our suffering will be used by the Lord for their good. That doesn't always seem fair, but that's exactly how our Old Adam gets crucified and shut down. The new man in Christ rejoices in whatever things we face. That's because in Jesus, we are confident of our victory and new life and we are glad whenever the Lord can use us to be good for others. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure; Let e'er that Bread of Life afford New grace in richest measure. O make us die to ev'ry sin, Each day create new life within, That fruits of faith my flourish. ("O Holy Spirit, Grant Us Grace" LSB 693, st. 2)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Sacrament of the Altar

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37; Matthew 6:16-34

Who receives this sacrament worthily? . . . But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. (Small Catechism: Sacrament of the Altar, pt. 5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If someone sketchy were to give you a sandwich, you might not want to eat it. "It's fine," they say, "I didn't spit on it or anything." If you don't believe them, you won't eat the sandwich.

If Jesus says that the bread and wine are His Body and Blood, "given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," then faith's reply is to eat that bread and drink from that cup. In other words, to believe Jesus' words means we would obviously eat and drink His Gift. If we didn't believe, why would we bother? If we don't believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, why would we pretend we want a gift we don't believe in?

We often hear Jesus' Supper described in a way that makes it sound like His Body and Blood are not really there. It's just a "representation" some might say, "a symbol." While that is incorrect, there's more to unbelief than simply misunderstanding Jesus' words. Unbelief means to deny who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Worthiness for the Supper does not rely on our understanding of "how" it can be His Body and Blood." If it did, no one would receive it! Rather, to deny Jesus' forgiveness is what makes us unworthy to receive His Supper.

You see, Jesus doesn't want us to worry about it, be confused, or question it. The bread and wine are not His Body and Blood because we believe it. They are the Body and Blood of the crucified and risen Lord and He gives them to you so that you can be sure beyond a shadow of a doubt, that His Gift is for you. The purpose of His Gift is to make sure you know and believe and never doubt that your sins are forgiven. Once again, we see that our "worthiness" isn't in what we do, but in what Jesus has already done for us. He died and rose and He gives His Supper for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Is this for me? I am forgiven and set free! I do believe That I receive His very body and His blood. O taste and see—the Lord is good. ("What Is This Bread" LSB 629, st. 5)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:37-2:15; Matthew 6:1-15

"For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." (Deuteronomy 2:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Bible is the story of God's promise, made to a fallen world: the promise of a Savior. It tells the story of God's people through whom His only-begotten Son took on flesh in the earthly family of Abraham, Isaac, David, Judah, David, and that whole line of chosen people. The eyewitness testimony of the Gospels and the instruction and teaching of Christ delivered by the apostles means the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is about Jesus.

St. Jerome was one of the early Church fathers whose great gift to the Church was the translation of the Old and New Testaments into Latin, from the Hebrew and Greek. This version of the Bible is known as the Vulgate, because it was in the "common tongue" of Latin at the time.

Today the Bible is available in just about any language you can think of and if not, translators are working on it! For those who speak and read English, there are many, many translations and versions. While they differ in being more or less literal, every faithful translation will always deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ in the language in which it's written. This is a heritage and gift of Jerome.

As Moses recorded the works of God among His people in the desert, looking ahead to Christ, so the prophets and apostles wrote and pointed forward or back to Jesus. So there, in the Holy Scriptures, we have the sure and certain record of God's promises to His people. We have the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus for all people of whatever language they know. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, God of truth, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path. You gave Your servant Jerome delight in his study of Holy Scripture. May those who continue to read, mark, and inwardly digest Your Word find in it the food of salvation and the fountain of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Weedon, William. Celebrating the Saints . Concordia Publishing House.)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Luke 10:17-20

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:19-36; Matthew 5:21-48

And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. When did Satan fall like lightning from heaven? Was it early on when he first rebelled against God and was cast down? Was it when Jesus died and cried out, "It is finished!"? Was Jesus talking about all the preaching done by the seventy men He sent out? The answer is "yes!"

"Satan" means "accuser." He's the guy who tells God you don't belong with God because you're a sinner. But Jesus' death takes away our sins, so now the devil has nothing on you. No accusations. No evidence. But he still tries to slither up to heaven and tell God you can't be there. So whenever the preaching of the Gospel happens, boom! Satan is cast down like lightning.

When someone is baptized, Satan gets the boot. When a Christian is absolved of her sins, the devil is sent packing. When a pastor proclaims the death and resurrection of Jesus, the evil one runs away with his tail between his legs.

There are angels and then there are angels. We usually think of angels as just heavenly beings we can't see who do battle with the forces of evil and protect us without our thinking about it. But the word "angel" means "messenger," so in a very real sense, your pastor is an angel. He's a messenger. And when your pastor proclaims the goodness of Jesus to you or anyone else, it's like flipping on the light in a room full of cockroaches: They scatter! So does Satan, running back to the cracks and darkness.

The devil can't accuse you. Your sins and their guilt have been laid upon Jesus and paid for by Him. When Satan stands before God to tattle on you, the Lord just says, "Get out of here, liar!" And out he goes. He'll keep trying until the Last Day, but he'll never succeed, because Jesus ended those accusation with His great "It is finished!" from Calvary. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I've traveled, All your might has come unraveled, And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me. ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st. 3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Matthew 5:1-20

So she said to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?" (1 Kings 17:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Yep. A tragedy. The widow's son died. God must be mad at her. That's what she thinks. That's what we think. If something bad happens, we wonder, "What did I do?" That's how we think God works. That's pretty much how the world thinks God works, too, which is why most people say they don't believe in Him.

The Lord allows the woman's son to die so that Elijah can raise him from the dead. What seems a tragedy is for this woman an example of God's mercy and love in restoring her son. It's also a reminder that God will give His own Son into death for the purpose of raising you from the dead.

Death is guaranteed. Nobody gets out of it. It's going to catch you some day. Could be tomorrow. Could be years from now. One way or another, though, it will come. As we look around and those whom we love die, we wonder if God is angry. Did we do something to make Him mad? That's the thing about death: We know it happens. We can't do anything about it.

But Jesus dies so that He can rise. His death is the triumph over death. Without His resurrection, our own death would indeed just be an empty and sad event. But with Jesus' tomb being empty, we have the promise that our graves will be empty, too. In other words, Jesus rose so that you will rise. If He rose, you will rise. Death really isn't the last word.

This is the promise of your Baptism, in which you die with Christ the first time. That's right, you've already died, at the font. And you've already been raised from the dead, at the font. That way, when you fall asleep in Jesus someday, you will rise to new life forever. It has to happen that way because that's what Jesus accomplished.

Death does remind us of our sin because sin brought death. But Jesus' death and resurrection and our Baptism into Him are a greater truth and promise: that death is not the end, and it's not forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Death you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ! When I die I leave all sadness To inherit paradise! Though I lie in dust and ashes, Faith's assurance brightly flashes: Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine! ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st. 4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero

Today's Reading: Luke 7:11-17

Daily Lectionary: Malachi 3:6-4:6; Matthew 4:12-25

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." (Luke 7:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Wait a minute. How is it "compassionate" to tell a woman who has lost her son not to weep? Really, Jesus? She's a widow, which means she's already lost her husband. Now she's lost her only son. And you tell her not to cry?

It's like Jesus thinks He has power over death or something. Maybe that's because He knows He will suffer and die, and on the Third Day rise again. He knows that when He is raised from the dead, death has no more dominion over Him. And if death has no dominion over Jesus, it has no power over you, who are baptized into His death and resurrection.

We fear death. We don't like to think about death. We don't like to deal with death. But it's here. All around us. What Jesus teaches us is that rather than accept death as a "natural part of life," we are to treat it like an enemy who has been defeated and is worth nothing more than ridicule!

Remember when Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead? He told everyone she wasn't dead but sleeping. When He raised Lazarus, the Lord told His disciples he had been sleeping, too. When the New Testament refers to death, it speaks of "falling asleep." Why? Because sleep is harmless. You fall asleep and then you wake up. Death is falling asleep. You die and then you wake up and rise from the dead. That is because Jesus triumphed over death and made a spectacle of it.

When you stand in a funeral line and greet the loved ones of the person who died, what do you tell them? "I'm so sorry. My condolences." I'm sure you don't tell them not to cry! Try this: Next time you're at a funeral, tell them, "Christ is risen!" That's the great Easter greeting that we say to one another in celebration of the fact that Jesus' grave is empty, He is alive, and now death for you is nothing more than falling asleep for a bit and awakening to the glory of paradise and life everlasting. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, we pray that Your grace may always go before and follow after us, that we may be continually given to all good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the 16th Sunday after Trinity)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero