Sometimes when our sins separate us from our Lord, we sense our shame and his reproach. Through this however, God, the Father, works his good work in us, drawing us closer to his Son, Jesus, and our need for

his cross, forgiveness, and new life. Since we are now reconciled with God, the Holy Spirit uses renewed people to appeal to others to be reconciled to God as well. May God, by his grace, use us to reconcile others to God for their eternal joy! “Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright, illumined with the light of grace, that issues from your holy face” (LSB 704).