Reflections

October 26, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 23 - Psalm 131; antiphon: Psalm 130:1-2

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

O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! (Psalm 130:1-2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Psalm 130 (all eight verses, not just the two from which the antiphon for tomorrow’s Introit is derived) is popular at funerals. It’s a psalm that pastors often pray out loud as the procession moves from the hearse to the graveside.

There was a country song released recently called “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” I wish that, too. Most painful of all, though, is when a child dies. Why would God allow something like that to happen? Psalm 131 (tomorrow’s Introit) gives us wise counsel. “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me” (verse 1). Like a weaned child trusting its mother, the psalmist then cries out, “O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore” (verse 3).

There are many things in life we will never understand, and the death of a child is certainly one of them. But whether we understand something or not, it is always good to “trust in the LORD.”  Why? Because with the LORD “there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption” (Psalm 130:7). In His Word, God has revealed to us that He did not put Jesus on the cross only to leave us at the mercy of things we don’t understand in this life. He put Jesus on the cross for you and me so that the only hands we are at the mercy of now in this life and the next are His. That’s a good place to be because those hands were nailed to the cross for you and me to save us from all our sins.

Along with tomorrow’s psalmist, we, too, can “wait for the LORD.”  For in His own timing, perhaps not until eternity, He will make it clear to us how He was always present, always good and merciful in all He sent or allowed in this life. In “the depths,” that seems impossible to believe. But the promise of your Baptism, the forgiveness you will hear from your pastor tomorrow, and the redemption you will receive in Communion all promise you that the Lord’s got this. The Lord’s got you. And there is nothing at all to fear. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate And hath shed His own Blood for my soul. It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. (LSB 763:2)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 25, 2024

Today's Reading: Matthew 17:14-27

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

What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. (Matthew 17:25-26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It sounds too good to be true, but that does not mean that it’s not true. That’s just the nature of the gospel. It defies all human reason and thought because the gospel is for those who cannot pay for it, not for those who can. It’s for the unrighteous, not the righteous. The gospel is for you.

The gospel is for you because Jesus places no burden or tax on you being in His Father’s kingdom. His death lifted every burden and paid every tax for you. Beware of anyone, then, who would want to turn faith into the only burden or tax demanded of you. Faith will quickly become just another burden or tax you cannot fully pay. Jesus says, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to here,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20-21). Like the apostles, then, all we can confess is, “No wonder I am always crashing into mountains.” “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

Like the apostles, we have an imperfect faith. But also, like the apostles, we have a perfect Savior. Jesus’ death on the cross declares us fully righteous in God’s sight and completely holy in His judgment. Jesus’ death on the cross is why God does not keep score but sets all our sins aside and declares us heirs in His eternal kingdom. Baptized into Jesus, pardoned by His Word, fed His Body and Blood, God has moved mountains Himself and set us free from the greatest mountain of all, ourselves. 

“O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” (Matthew 17:17)  Hear in that cry the call of the One Who moves mountains for you, for there is no burden now, no tax at all. God requires nothing from you for you to be or to remain in His kingdom. Jesus’ death lifted every burden and paid every tax for you. That is the promise of the gospel. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity! (LSB 594:1)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 24, 2024 

Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of duties: To Children

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

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. And you thought the Bible was just for old people. No, it’s for young people, too, even children. That’s because what God has done for the oldest, He has also done for the youngest.

Earlier in Ephesians, St. Paul writes to the baptized, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:3-4). “In Him,” or “in the Lord” is what changes everything for you and me. And that is where God placed us when we were baptized. At the Font, God washed you “in the Lord,” declaring you “holy and blameless before Him.” In fact, at the Font, God “made us alive together with Christ” and “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5-6). Baptized children are in the heavens now, seated with God, in Christ, “holy and blameless before Him!”

Baptized children, then, are not lacking in any spiritual blessing. That is why St. Paul calls even children now to acts of kindness and love, beginning at home with their nearest neighbors, Mom and Dad. This is what it means to live out your baptismal identity as God’s child. There is no work for you to do to become “holy and blameless” before your Father in heaven. You are already that every day– so promises your Baptism into Christ. You can turn to your neighbor in love, beginning at home, not to become something you are not, but because of the something or someone God has already declared you to be “in the Lord.” His child.

As your proud Father in heaven, God rejoices over you as you do your chores at home, study your homework, clean your rooms, play nice with each other, and obey your parents. “In the Lord” is the key. For God does not rejoice simply because of the work that is being done. He rejoices because of the ones who are doing the work: you. That is God’s mercy, God’s love for you, “in the Lord.”  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Our works cannot salvation gain; They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee, Who pleads for us endlessly. Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:12)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 23, 2024

Today's Reading: Matthew 13:54-58

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

Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. (Matthew 13:56-57)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We would have taken offense, too. Imagine being raised in a house where mom and dad thought the oldest hung the moon. No, I mean, literally hung the moon. It might have been hard enough with Jesus always on the honor roll, winning the Christian Citizenship award all the time, and being the envy of every other parent. But “Hanger of Moon and Stars” was a bridge too far. “And they took offense at him.”

On this day, the Church celebrates the life of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr. Why? Because of the grace of God. For despite all the offense James had taken toward his Brother (John 7:3-5), the risen Jesus appeared to him first, before any of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7), calling James to faith in Him as his Savior, too. What grace.

Jesus does the same for you. Despite all the offense you take toward Him, Jesus comes to you every day in the promise of your Baptism, calling you to faith in Him as your Savior. Despite the offense you take toward Him, Jesus comes to you in the absolutions and sermons you hear from your pastor, calling you to faith in Him as your Savior. And, despite all the offense you and I take toward Him every day, Jesus still comes to us in the Holy Supper, calling us to faith in Him as our Savior, too, “for you, for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus knows the indignation in our own hearts, all the offense we take over how He rules and governs this life. He knows our own stubbornness to believe that our Big Brother really is Who He says He is. It’s why the church sets aside special days like these: to remind everyone that He gets us. And not just that He gets us, but to remind us that Jesus never stops coming to us and calling us to faith in Him as our Savior, too.

What grace. And James would be the first to say, this Jesus, this grace, is for everyone. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, shepherd of Your people, You raised up James the Just, brother of our Lord, to lead and guide Your Church. Grant that we may follow his example of prayer and reconciliation and be strengthened by the witness of his death; 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 St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 22, 2024 

Today's Reading: Hebrews 4:1-13, 14-16

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

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As with Israel of old, the promises God makes with us seem too good to be true. When we die, we will not die but live forever. When we face His judgment, God will find no sin at all to accuse or condemn us. Does God even know us?

When God calls out to “strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11),” He is calling us to ignore every other voice but the one calling us back to our Baptism into Christ. For God knows how many our sins are, how overwhelming our guilt is, how insurmountable the odds of us doing anything to help ourselves in His judgment. Either Jesus saves us all the way, or we will not be saved.

In his commentary on Galatians, Luther writes, “I remember how Doctor Staupitz used to say to me: ‘I have promised God a thousand times that I would become a better man, but I never kept my promise. From now on I am not going to make any more vows. Experience has taught me that I cannot keep them. Unless God is merciful to me for Christ's sake and grants unto me a blessed departure, I shall not be able to stand before Him.’”  Luther goes on to point out how this was “a God-pleasing despair. For no true believer trusts in his own righteousness, but says with David, ‘If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?’” (Ps. 130:3).

What we need from the throne of grace is not more time or energy. For poor, miserable sinners who ever offend God and justly deserve His temporal and eternal punishment, what we need, what truly helps us, is the grace from above that says, “I love you. I forgive you. I got this. And true to My Jesus, true to My Word, I save you.”

But that is the promise God makes with Jesus on the cross for you, with Jesus in your Baptism for you, with Jesus on your pastor’s lips for you, and with Jesus at His Supper for you. Yes, your rest, too, has been won. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty. But what I truly prize Above all things is He, My Jesus, He alone. What is the world to me! (LSB 730:2)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 21, 2024

Today's Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

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

As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Does someone need to buy Solomon a Snickers bar? Why all the doom and gloom? The country singer who “never saw no hearse pullin’ no U-Haul” couldn’t hold a candle to Solomon today. But it is not doom and gloom Solomon is preaching. He is preaching faith and life because Solomon is preaching Jesus.

From clothing and shoes to house and home, food and drink to good government and good weather, land and animals to family and friends, Solomon says it all comes from our heavenly Father. But Solomon also knows what St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians centuries later: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Solomon preaches about how this life is unpredictable. One day, you can be sitting on top of the world, and the next day, the world can be sitting on top of you. It’s vanity, he says, a great evil. But that is where the promise of Jesus’ death on the cross comes in. The cross is where you are promised your identity in this life and the next: God’s own dear children.

Whether you are on top of the world or the world is on top of you, Solomon says not only is your heavenly Father there and in control for you, He has placed you right where He wants you and is smiling on you the whole time. Why? Because you never sin? No, but because He is your Father. That’s why. Your sins do not own you anymore. Your sins do not, cannot, define you now. They lost that power over you when Jesus died for them on the cross.

Whether you accumulate a lot or nothing at all in this life, you can smile and rejoice, too, because God’s got this. And He’s got you. With Jesus washed onto you in your Baptism, proclaimed over all your sins in His Word, given to you at His Supper, your life will not, cannot, end now. You are God’s dear child. He loves you. So you need not be afraid of today or any other day. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The world seeks after wealth And all that mammon offers Yet never is content Though gold should fill its coffers. I have a higher good, Content with it I’ll be: My Jesus is my wealth. What is the world to me! (LSB 730:3)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 20, 2024 

Today's Reading: Mark 10:23-31

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

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:25-27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You may have sung the hymn “What is the Word to Me” before. I used to think it was a question. It’s a statement of faith. “What is the word to me With all its vaunted pleasure When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure!” (LSB 730:1) 

Truth is, it is easier to believe in God’s love when you have what the world calls “treasure”– when you have money and everyone else loves you, or when you are getting “A’s” in everything and are always knocking it out of the park. But what about those times when you are not? What about those times when you are poor, and it seems like no one likes you? When you are not getting good grades and are always failing at everything? What about those times when all you see are your sins, and you can’t find any reason at all to believe in God’s love? What then?

Jesus. That’s what then. Jesus on the cross for you. Jesus in your Baptism for you. Jesus in holy Absolution for you. Jesus in the sermon and in the Word for you. Jesus in the Supper for you. Jesus is how God calls you treasure, His treasure. This Jesus is how God saves you from all your sins. This Jesus is how God comes to you and declares you righteous in His sight and as His dear child. 

If this salvation depended on you, it wouldn’t be possible. Thank God His salvation does not depend on us at all. It depends on Jesus. Jesus only. Jesus always. Jesus period. Not everyone else loving you, but God loving you. Not you saving the day, but God saving the day for you. Not in anyone having what the world calls treasure, but in God having what He calls treasure– you. 

Jesus not only makes this salvation possible; He makes it yours. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God, Your divine wisdom sets in order all things in heaven and on earth. Put away from us all things hurtful and give us those things that are beneficial for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 19, 2024 

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 22 - Psalm 34:1-4, 17; antiphon: Psalm 34:18

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Matthew 14:22-36

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The beauty of Holy Scripture is that it clearly tells us who God saves… the broken, the weak, the weary, the downtrodden, the sick, and the dying… just to name a few. Too often, though, we hear those around us stating things like: “God is worthy of our praise,” “Praise the Lord always,” “Make a joyful noise,”… and so on. Often enough, though, these quippy truisms fall flat… after all, we sinners still live in a fallen and sinful world.

Praise is a wonderful thing, but we live in an age where our understanding of this word has unfortunately affected our theology. For example, many expect praise for doing the things that they ought to be doing. How often have you sought accolades for cleaning your room or rearranging the desk in your office? Twenty-eight years ago, right around 1996 (ancient history to most of you), athletes were ‘awarded’ ribbons just for participating… praise was given just because you tried and gave it your all. This way of thinking is corrosive and exceedingly terrible in the regular world, but in many ways, it’s infiltrated theology… many in 2024 believe that God is pleased with us just because of the effort we put in. Others believe they are entitled to the Gifts that God gives and are moved to praise God only when their needs are met.  

David writes Psalm 34 for our benefit and to reveal to us that praise is rightly given to God, not because He wants or needs it from us. He doesn’t want our praise so He can reward the one who praises the most… David says that we praise God continually because He never stops giving! He never ceases to give us all of the things that are most needful. Notice also… David writes that although we might praise God for what He’s done for us individually, there is all the more joy when we praise God together in the wonderful realization that He’s bought us back from sin and death, too! We praise Him because we, in our sin, know that we deserve nothing but eternal death and condemnation… yet the judgment we’ve received from Him is this: on account of Christ and for His sake, we are judged NOT GUILTY… righteous on account of Christ. Like prisoners set free from shackles and certain death, we rejoice together at our amazing good fortune… as those once dead in sin, we rejoice as the living in Christ who has given us life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O wondrous Love, whose depth no heart hath sounded, that brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded! All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying while Thou wert dying. (LSB 439:7)

-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 18, 2024

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Matthew 14:1-21

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nothing in Jesus' ministry happened by accident… nothing in this world happens without our Lord’s knowing it. So St. Luke records that Jesus sent out 72… to whom were they sent? What would they say? Just this… that Jesus had set His face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) and would be visiting them in various towns and cities on His way. Jesus sent the 72 to get the people ready. He sent them so that they wouldn’t be surprised and so that they’d talk to their friends, family, and neighbors about Jesus, the one who’d set His face to Jerusalem’s cross, was coming to them.

And here’s the thing… 72 wasn’t enough. There were countless towns and villages, countless poor, widowed, and fatherless who needed care and consolation, countless sinners steeped in their sin, drowning in guilt and remorse, shame and despair… what could 72 do among so many? Nothing is the answer… unless they were sent by the Lord, who would do something for all people. What is so endearing about St. Luke, among many things, is that he was a physician, a medical doctor… chosen by our Lord not because He was special in and of himself, but because God had set him aside to write the Gospel that bears his name and the Book of Acts that records the birth and early growth of the Christian Church. St. Luke was there to witness the Lord’s ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. He traveled with St. Paul and saw with his own eyes the promise of Jesus. The harvest was plentiful… it is plentiful… Jesus sows the seeds and gives them growth… Jesus does it all, and yet He commends Luke to write for our benefit… not of the work that we must do to reap the harvest, but to labor together as ones redeemed by Christ in the vineyard together, to rejoice greatly that we have a place in the vineyard and yet there is still room! It started with 72, and the Christian church has been growing ever since. In fact, it’s never gotten smaller… for those departed saints who sleep the sleep of death rest secure as they await their raising, we who have been born are shepherded, cared for, and forgiven from womb to tomb, and yet there are many still to come for whom the Lord Jesus has died to save.

We pray for what the Lord promises… not results… not that we would even be ‘successful…’ Luke writes, “Pray for the Lord to send laborers,”… and so He does. Perhaps it’s you men who will preach and teach as pastors. Perhaps it’s you young ladies who will see to the mercy arm of the Lord's church in diaconal ministry. We pray that the Lord will send laborers to provide us with the eternal Gifts of our Gracious God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, You have commanded us to pray that You would send forth laborers into Your harvest. Of Your infinite mercy give us true ministers and teachers of Your Word who preach nothing contrary to Your Word. Grant that we, being warned, instructed, nurtured, comforted, and strengthened by Your Word, may do those things which are well pleasing to You and profitable for our salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 17, 2024 

Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of duties: To Parents

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:22; Matthew 13:44-58

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. No doubt you recall that after your study of the Small Catechism in confirmation, you breathed a sigh of relief that you were almost finished… only examination remained… and then your pastor pulled a fast one… the Table of Duties. Just what is this table about? We’ve heard of the two tables of the law and the Lord’s Table… yet there was one more… the table that gave us time to reflect on vocation… our stations in life. While specific matters didn’t pertain to us (men cannot be wives, women cannot be husbands, etc.), the table of duties painted a gracious and wonderful picture of the relationship between Christ and his Church. 

So you might be wondering if you’re a child: What does this article about fathers not provoking children to anger mean? Here’s how you fit in. As we are God’s children, He is our Father. And, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, God has given earthly authority over us and for our good, as we confess in the 4th Commandment to honor mother and father.

It might seem like St. Paul is warning fathers of the stuff that they’re not to do. He certainly is doing that, but what’s implied by St. Paul is this… fathers are given to care for, protect, work for, and sacrifice themselves for the well-being of their wives and children… this is good and wise. The most important part of all of this is that fathers are to lead us to the Heavenly Father and the Gracious Lord Jesus, who gives all the best Gifts. THAT is the best gift a father can give… Jesus and His forgiveness and life.  

So what about not provoking children to anger? Thankfully, it’s as simple as this… Fathers are to avoid unfair, cruel behavior or blatant favoritism. Fathers are to give as Christ gave: freely, abundantly, and to all given to their care. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the joy and care of children. Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so that as they grow in years, we may teach them to love whatever is just, true, and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.

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

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.