March 2, 2024 

Today's Reading: Psalm 69:14-16; antiphon: Psalm 69:9 

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:1-29, Mark 8:22-38

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 

(Psalm 69:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Have you ever felt like God was silent? You cry it in the dead of night as the walls close in and yet it appears that there was no answer? Maybe you look around the world and you see all the suffering, chaos, and tragedy and wonder where God is amid this mess. Or maybe your life is not going the way you imagined it would at this point, it has not gone as planned, and when you look around you wonder if God is really there. Whoever is reading this, I do not know what your life looks like or where you have been, but I can imagine maybe you have cried out to God and pleaded for an answer as the Psalmist does here. 

Satan loves when we feel isolated and alone. He wants you to look for answers in other places. He wants you to turn to other means of spirituality. He wants you to search for answers in Astrology, different crystals, palm reading, and Tarot Cards, but God cannot be found in any of these places. God does not answer by means of these pagan practices; these are a false god. Instead, if you look for God’s answer, if you cry out, know that He has already answered. He has answered you in Christ. 

Jesus is the answer to you. Jesus is God’s yes. It is His assurance that He loves you, that He cares for you, and that He draws near to you. In Christ God turns toward you and He offers you forgiveness and mercy in your nights of anguish. When you look around the world and wonder where God is amid the mess you can look to the cross and see that He has taken on the suffering, chaos, and tragedy. So, when you are looking for an answer, I encourage you to look to God’s Word, visit your Pastor and receive forgiveness, attend the Divine Service and feast on the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the answer God gives out of His goodness and mercy. And it is found only in Christ, and it is good news for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus, advocate on high, Sacrificed on Calv’rys altar,  Through Your priestly blood we cry:

Hear our prayers, though they may falter;  Place them on Your Father’s throne as your own. (LSB 773:3)

- Pastor Caleb Weight is associate pastor of Peace In Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown, MN.

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

Unforgivable? Unforgiveness is a prison—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In a world full of turmoil, many use forgiveness as a coping mechanism without understanding what true forgiveness is. Learn what forgiveness from Christ looks like, and how He forgives His people.