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.