Reflections

October 29, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30

“No one came to stand by me, but all deserted me… But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.” (2 Timothy 4:16,17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Even St. Paul felt isolated at times. While standing in court, defending the faith, where were his friends, other pastors, and Christians whom the Holy Spirit brought to faith through his preaching? Anyone who could have been supporting was scattered like the apostles on Holy Thursday. Satan and his minions wanted Paul to feel alone, overwhelmed, cut off from Christ and His Church. Then maybe Paul would lose his strength and will to preach Christ crucified.

The devil also wants you to feel isolated. All alone. “Divide and conquer,” the saying goes, and that tends to be the demonic method.

Maybe it feels like your friends have deserted you, that they are all having a good time without you while you are stuck home that weekend. Or you are the only one in your class who actually respected the teacher and did the work she assigned. Maybe you are the only one around who is actually remaining chaste and not giving in to the constant daily sexual temptations. You feel alone. No one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.

St. Paul reminds you here that all is not lost. Even though he had no other human comfort at that time, he was not alone. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me. Christ comforted him throughout this trial and hardship. The Lord gave him peace throughout the persecution, with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection that got him through it all.

You are not alone either. The Lord blesses you with His comforting and encouraging presence. You are His beyond the shadow of a doubt through Holy Baptism, which bound you to Christ in a way that He will never abandon you. He speaks His Word to you by reading and proclaiming His Scriptures to you. And He nourishes you with His own Body and Blood, so that He dwells inside you!

So let the devil rage all he wants. He can taunt and criticize, and suggest doubts to you. But he cannot cut you off from God. Christ will never desert you. You belong to the Lord! The Lord stands by you and strengthens you!  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Satan, I defy thee; Death I now decry thee; Fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shalt not harm me Nor thy threats alarm me While I sing of peace. God’s great power Guards every hour; Earth and all its depths adore Him, Silent bow before Him. (LSB 743:3)

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 28, 2025

Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15

“I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

As we remember the Apostles of our Lord throughout the year, we might feel sorry for a few of them. Poor Simon “the Zealot” and Jude (a.k.a. Judas, or Thaddeus). They are some of the more obscure of Jesus’ disciples. They definitely don’t get the attention of Peter, James, and John. They don’t even get the word count for Saint Andrew or Saint Nathanael Bartholomew. We don’t know a single word that Simon actually spoke, and only one question from St. Jude is recorded. We practically know nothing except their names.

In the Gospels, Jude is almost always mentioned by the name Judas, but every instance of that includes “NOT ISCARIOT.” Imagine your greatest claim to fame being that you were NOT the guy with the same name who betrayed Jesus. And then poor Simon, he might as well always have the moniker “NOT PETER.”

Yet there is one thing certain, that we can celebrate; Jesus chose them to be His apostles. They were not picked because they were the most quoteworthy, eloquent speakers. They were not selected because they had the right experience, or talents, or pedigree. Simon was not chosen because of his zealot politics, nor Jude for being “not Iscariot.” Saints Simon and Jude were chosen, by the grace of God, in His mercy, to be the simple, often-forgotten human hands, feet, and voices of Christ.

That love of Christ encouraged them as they carried His Gospel as His disciples, missionaries, pastors, and apostles. They preached the Word of the Lord and baptized. They forgave sins and fed the Church Christ’s Eucharist. And so we end up with two contrasts: the love of Jesus and the hatred of the world.

Saints Simon (not Peter) and Jude (not Iscariot) were prepared by Jesus for the hatred of the world. The world hated Him first, and would hate them. Eventually, they suffered death at the hands of those who hated them and Jesus. These faithful Apostles are said to have been martyred at the same time, Simon (not Peter) sawn in half, while many say that Jude (not Iscariot) was beaten to death with a club.

Even through the violent end to their time on earth, Jesus's love sustained them through the world's hatred. Our dear Lord knows these saints infinitely more than just their names: Simon, “Not Peter,” and Jude, “Not Iscariot.” He preserved them in the one, true faith at their martyrdom and welcomed them into His presence, where they now await the resurrection with the Risen Savior who chose them and loves them completely.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Praise, Lord, for Your apostles, Saint Simon and Saint Jude. One love, one hope impelled them To tread the way renewed. May we with zeal as earnest The faith of Christ maintain, Be bound in love together, And life eternal gain. (LSB 518:28)

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Genesis 4:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35

“And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.” (Genesis 4:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)  Even after his heinous act is done, Cain does not appear repentant at all. He has committed the first murder and shrugs it off. “Not my problem.” 

What is behind all of this? Jealousy…and a lack of faith. That’s at the heart of this all. That is the reason that Cain’s sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Yes, Abel sacrificed a lamb and shed its innocent blood, and Cain some of his crops. But Cain was going through the motions without “fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” While Abel believed the Lord and participated in this liturgy of sacrifice, Cain apparently was doing something Mom and Dad told him he should do, and not really believing in the Lord who acts in His liturgy.

Cain then attacked his brother and shed his innocent blood. The first murder in history. The first recorded death. No earthly eyes witnessed this horror, but it was not hidden from the Lord God.

God calls Cain out. “The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.”  He lets him know that he hasn’t gotten away with it. And even without witnesses, Cain knows that others will want justice, or even revenge. He fears capital punishment, so the Lord marks Cain. We don’t know how, but in some way, God makes it known that no one is to lay a hand on him. He is guilty, but freed from his punishment.

You are like Cain. You daily commit sins which no earthly eyes witness, yet they are not hidden from the Lord God. You have moments of participating in liturgy simply because Mom and Dad told you that you should, and not because you “fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” Although you are guilty, you are freed from punishment.

The Lord put a mark on you, too! And not just a mark to prevent others from executing you to punish your crimes. At His holy font, the Lord God called you, and marked you “with the sign of the holy cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart, marking you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” Then He marked you permanently with the washing of water and the Word, granting you forgiveness, rescue, and salvation. You are not just marked safe from punishment; you are given full pardon and made righteous!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Abel’s blood for vengeance Pleaded to the skies; But the blood of Jesus For our pardon cries. Lift we, then, our voices, Swell the mighty flood; Louder still and louder Praise the precious blood! (LSB 433:4,6)

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 26, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 18:9-17

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22; Matthew 18:1-20

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.” (Luke 18:13-14a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Great sermon, Pastor, THEY really needed to hear that!” When your pastor hears something like that, his heart sinks, and he knows he did not communicate well. No one should ever listen to a sermon and think it’s Law was for everyone else.

“Boy, I’m sure glad I'm not some self-righteous Pharisee, looking down on other people!” Can you hear the irony in that? We cannot read this passage and have pride regarding our penitence, as if we can see that judgy Pharisee and celebrate that we aren’t him. When we do that, we are exactly what he was. Same sin. Same absence of repentance.

In this parable, Jesus is not giving you an example to follow. It is not that the Tax Collector did the right thing and God rewarded him.

The Holy Spirit moved this man’s heart to repentance. He convicted him of his sin and made his wretchedness abundantly clear. Having brought him to repent, the Spirit delivered forgiveness, life, and salvation. The man was justified—made right with God!  

The Holy Spirit sat you in the pew this morning, not because you were any better than the others who were there, not even because you were any better than the people who were absent and skipping church. He brought you there to be convicted of your sin. He placed you in that pew to hear the Word of the Lord read and preached, placing that mercy in your ears. He brought you up to that rail to receive the Holy Eucharist, and have Jesus Christ’s Body and Blood placed inside of you, to fill you with God’s mercy and change you from within.

Our dear Lord gathered you with a church full of “tax collectors” who, with you, desperately need Jesus and His mercy. When all was said and done, after the Gifts of Christ were freely given, the benediction was spoken or chanted, a hymn was sung, and you went to your house justified. Indeed, God is merciful to you and me, sinners!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy; forgive us those things of which our conscience is afraid; and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask except by the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 25, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 20 - Psalm 56:10-13; antiphon: Psalm 56:3

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Matthew 17:14-27

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” (Psalm 56:10-13, 56:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

What can man do to me? A lot. Wars, robberies, lies, deceit, intimidation, oppression—there’s plenty man can do to me. And put a bunch of people in a mob, let mass hysteria take root, and the devastation of what man can do goes to unfathomably dark depths. 

Can man do all of that to me? All of this assumes that our battle is against our fellow man, fellow man either as one person who is trying to harm me, or even as many people assembled into a movement to control or intimidate others. But what if that is not our true struggle, even though it may certainly be what our eyes see people doing around us? Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.

In our fear of what men can do to us, our Lord uses His servant David to give us this Psalm to pray (“When I am afraid,” 56:3). In this Psalm, our Lord reminds us that he is delivering us from our true enemy, the enemy driving people to all sorts of sin, including murders, violence, robberies, lies, intimidation, and all the rest—the devil. 

Our enemy is the Evil One, Satan, and his evil spirits, the demons. When we fear this (as we should in our sinful flesh), the Psalm teaches us to put our trust in the Lord. Then, when we fear our Lord (for he is Holy God), we find that He is standing before us with nail prints in His hands. And His nail prints are for us. He went to the cross for us. Seeing our Lord as the One who suffered for us, we finally see that we need fear nothing or no one. For in His death, Jesus has defeated our enemies of sin, death, and the devil.  

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus, by your blood you have redeemed me from sin, death, and the devil. Let Satan hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Let your Word of Gospel destroy Satan’s ugly accusation. Keep me, Lord Jesus, in the promise you bestowed upon me at the font of Baptism. Deliver me from the Evil One and the tyranny of his demons, and by your Word, keep me steadfast in your Word. Amen. (Paraphrased from LSB 594:3)

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 24, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Husbands

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 25:17-26:19; Matthew 17:1-13

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7) Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Col. 3:19)” (Catechism, Table of Duties)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Who would’ve guessed that our Lord’s first Gift to mankind would end up such a problem? Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,’ … So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Simple: Male and female, one flesh, marriage (Genesis 2:24), children and family (Genesis 1:28). Then it crashes. Adam not protecting his bride but betraying her (“The woman … she gave me the fruit … and I ate,” [Genesis 3:12]); David not protecting his bride, but committing adultery (2 Samuel 11); the Pharisees teaching that a man can divorce his wife by simply writing the proper divorce papers; until we get to our generation where we can see Satan’s affliction of families: self-centeredness, abuse, control, power-struggle, deceit, adultery, absence of love—all coming under Jesus’ rubric, “because of the hardness of your hearts” (Mark 10:5-9).

It's time for the honorable groom to enter the room—the husband who loves his bride, honoring her with his own Name, protecting her, forsaking any claim of control or superiority, even giving himself over to death for her! 

Jesus is the Groom. You’re a member of his Bride, the Church. Ephesians 5:25-27: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” 

The husband who has not loved his wife as Christ loves his Bride, the Church (which is every husband) is again gathered by Jesus to his Word of forgiveness, to the promise of the washing of water with the word.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord of life, bless every marriage. Rescue the husband from self-centeredness or desire to control; let him rejoice in being the giver of gifts to his wife. Let the man awaiting an honorable bride commend himself to your compassion; provide him with a wife according to your will. Let the man not given to marriage (1 Corinthians 7:6-8) rejoice in interceding for the marriages of his neighbors and in speaking encouragement to them. Let every husband rejoice in your Gift of marriage, but even more so in the certainty that you, O Christ, are our Groom who cleanses your Church in the washing of Baptism. Amen.

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 23, 2025 

Today's Reading: Matthew 13:54-58

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28

“And coming to his hometown [Jesus] taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’” (Matthew 13:54-58) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The fact of James reminds us of Jesus’ humanity. 

Jesus has been going around healing the sick, restoring lame hands (Matthew 12:13), giving sight to the blind and voice to the mute (Matthew 11:27ff.), and more. Then Jesus goes into the Nazareth synagogue teaching the Gospel, astonishing people (Matthew 13:54).

Who is this Jesus? How could anyone, seeing Him and hearing Him, have failed to ask that question? But while His divine works of power and teaching astonish people, the simple fact of James, along with Jesus’ other brothers and sisters, brings home the comforting fact that Jesus is truly human: “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:54ff.)

Jesus is fully human, along with us. He didn’t just drop out of the sky as some spirit wearing a human-flesh costume, but came as a baby from a mother (Matthew 13:55). He grew up humanly, learning to crawl, then perhaps how to use eating utensils, how to tie his shoes, just like us. Fully, completely like us in every way, except without sin (Hebrews 4:15). 

Then, human, along with us, but without sin, he took all sin upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Where is your sin now? It’s not with you. It’s with Jesus. He who has no sin, took it (1 John 3:5). He carried it to the cross as the Lamb of God bearing the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Now, in your life of repentance, your confession of your sin is not a good work that makes you better. Rather, it’s your confession that Jesus Christ, true Man, is your Lord (Philippians 2:8-11) who has taken your sin upon himself and put it to death in his own Body on the cross. It is your confession that because Jesus Christ has been bodily raised up from the dead, you, too, belong to the resurrection of the body and life everlasting (Romans 6:9-11).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We give thanks for James, your brother, Who at Jerusalem Told of your love for Gentiles, in Your Name, welcoming them. Let us rejoice in salvation that we too, by Your grace, Extend Your invitation To all the human race. Amen. (Paraphrase from “By All Your Saints in Warfare,” LSB 518:27)

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 22, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 16:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Deuteronomy 22:1-24:9; Matthew 16:1-12

“[Jesus said,] ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Your warning: “Beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees!” Good. But what’s that? The Pharisees and Sadducees are different from one another, far different. You will hear the Pharisees as you walk around Jerusalem and out into the towns and villages. To hear the Sadducees, you go to the big, impressive, resplendent Temple around which Jerusalem is built. 

The Pharisees. They teach the Law. Not the Law as the Ten Commandments by which God accuses the sinner, driving the sinner to the Gospel. Rather, they teach the law as commands, instructions, guidelines, tithing, and rules you must follow to live a clean life. By living this clean life, you can justify yourself, earning eternal life. 

The Sadducees. They’re largely from the well-to-do priestly families. They teach a worthiness found in human pretension: the wealth or stature you gain and show off. So focused on worldly worthiness are they that they have little concern with matters of eternal life, even teaching there is no resurrection of the body, no Heaven, no eternal life, no angels (e.g., Matthew 22:23, Acts 23:8). So if there is no resurrection of the body and eternal life, what need is there to hear the justification of the sinner before God?

Sadducees or Pharisees—you end up at the same place with each. Whether you hear the Sadducees teach that you need no justification since there is no Heaven anyway, or you hear the Pharisees teach that you need to be justified in order to avoid damnation but you gain this justification by your own works of law, in both cases you need no justification freely given the sinner by Jesus. 

Beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus says. That is, beware of any teaching that you don’t need to be justified before holy God; beware of any teaching that you do need to be justified, but this justification is something you can accomplish by your own works, feelings, or intentions. Rather, turn to the one thing both the Pharisees and Sadducees together rejected: Jesus Christ crucified. Turn to the one word the Pharisees and Sadducees would never allow you to hear: the Gospel of the sinner freely forgiven and justified. In short, turn your back on the Pharisees and Sadducees; Jesus is your justification. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus, turn me from any thought that there is no life in eternity and my life ends here on Earth; turn me from any thought that I can make myself worthy of eternal life by my own worthiness. By the preaching of your Gospel, turn me always to you, the Savior for every sinner unto eternal life. Amen.

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 21, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Matthew 15:21-39

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Pray for your pastor. Actually, pray for all pastors. As we see in Paul’s instructions to young pastor Timothy, the Lord gives the pastor much to do.

The Lord cares for His Church as a Groom cares for his beloved Bride (see Ephesians 5:25-27). As the Bride of Christ, the Church is always about the business of the forgiveness of sins—the Large Catechism even says that “everything in the Church is ordered toward the forgiveness of sins.” In order that people would hear this forgiveness of sins and be given faith that they are justified, the Lord instituted a particular office in the Church to do just that, to teach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments. 

The Lord instituted this office (sometimes referred to as the Office of Holy Ministry or the pastoral office) as a great Gift for the sinner. It is also a great burden for the man ordained into the Holy Office. For he is to be faithful with the Lord’s Word and caring and gentle with the Lord’s sheep—a great burden, but at the same time also a great Gift of being set before the Lord’s people as a servant bestowing the Lord’s Gifts.

The Office of Holy Ministry is a great Gift for every sinner. So pray for your pastor. Pray that he be diligent and caring in studying Holy Scripture and in proclaiming the Gospel to every sinner, and in faithfully administering the Sacraments as instituted by the Lord. And pray that he may have much joy in being a servant to you and to all the Lord’s people given to his care, delighting always in preaching Christ crucified for the justification of the sinner. 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, Holy Groom to your Bride the Church whom you love, give faithful and diligent men as pastors to serve your Gifts to your people. Let them be faithful to your Scriptures, which are able to make sinners wise unto salvation through your Holy Name. Let them have much joy in serving your people, rejoicing always in proclaiming the Gospel, dispensing your Sacraments of forgiveness and life, and giving to sinners your good counsel of Law and Gospel. And let your people listen with ears of faith. Amen.

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

October 20, 2025

Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-30

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 19:1-20; Matthew 15:1-20

“A man wrestled with [Jacob] until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” (Genesis 32:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

We start out thinking about what God wants us to do to improve and progress in our Christian life, and we find ourselves stuck in anxiety, having no joy in life.

We start out this way because, with the Law written on our hearts, we try to progress and improve according to the measurements of the Law.

But look at the Lord coming to Jacob: No self-improvement instructions, no mystical teachings of being more spiritual, no nonsense of how to be a Christian on fire or anything like that. But a wrestling match, the Lord giving himself to be thrown around by the sinner. 

Yet, there’s no confusion—the Lord has the power, not Jacob. For, as the Lord lets Jacob wrestle him, the text tells us, “When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him” (Genesis 32:25).

Jacob knows the Lord has the power. So why doesn’t Jacob stop wrestling? Doesn’t he know God can destroy him with just a word? Jacob’s not naïve. But he wants the blessing (which is precisely what God wants to give). Genesis 32:26: Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me" (Genesis 32:26).

The Lord swore the blessing to Abraham and Isaac, Jacob’s grandfather and father. The blessing promises the Savior in Abraham’s lineage. The word of blessing defeats death, crushes the devil’s head, and justifies the sinner, so that by faith in the promise, Abraham was justified. The blessing goes to Abraham’s children, including Jacob, including you and me, and our children.

God wants the sinner to hold onto him for the blessing like a wrestler refusing to let go.

With the blessing, we’re done with the Law and its measurements for an improved Christian life. We hold on to the Gospel, not letting go of the promise. 

When God says, “Take and eat, Take and drink … my body, my blood for the forgiveness of your sins,” it is God blessing you. You may now say to your God, “I will hold on to you for the blessing.” He never forgets the blessing he swore to you.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Thy strong Word, bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! (LSB, 578:3)

Rev. Warren Graff, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.`

Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius’s life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.