April 18, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 3 - Psalm 33:1, 18-20; antiphon: Psalm 33:5b, 6a

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:1-14; Luke 6:20-38

“Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,” (Psalm 33:18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia! “Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

The Lord looks down from heaven. He has visited His people, and He has seen your struggles, and heard your cries. He is not a God who watches, but a God who steps in and cares for His creation. Our prayer is that God would continue to bring His enemies to nothing.

The Psalmist’s petitions are heard and answered by God, and our prayers are heard and answered also. In the beginning God spoke, and it came to be. God came down from heaven and visited His people. God is not absent from creation. He hears you, and His eyes are upon you. You are one whom God the Father created in His image. One whom God the Son, Jesus, died and redeemed by His blood. You are a new creation of water and the Spirit in your Baptism.

We endure the days and times of this life because God has conquered His enemies, and our enemies we have only for a time. We wait for the Lord. We call upon His Name, which He has revealed to us. He is our help and our shield. Let your heart be glad in Him. You can trust in His holy Name. “​​Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Christ, who shared our mortal life And ended death’s long reign, Who healed the sick and raised the dead And bore our grief and pain: We know our years on earth are few, That death is always near. Come now to us, O Lord of Life; Bring hope that conquers fear! (LSB 552:1)