Pentecost Season | Confident.Faith: Recent Episodes

Confident.Faith

God's Word and Luther's thought, from here unto eternity taught.

Readings* Psalm 51 * 1 Samuel 26:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:82–88

Readings* Psalm 14 * Psalm 53 * 1 Samuel 25:23–44 * 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:74–81 CommemorationToday we commemorate Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Most likely born in Spain, Lawrence eventually made his way to Rome and became chief of the seven deacons of the Church. Having control over Church property and finances, Lawrence was called before the Roman emperor, who believed the Church possessed valuable items that could be confiscated, and commanded to produce the “treasures of the Church”. In response, Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor who had benefited from Christian charity. The emperor jailed Lawerence and eventually ordered him executed — by gridiron.

Readings* Psalm 94 * 1 Samuel 25:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:68–73

Readings* Psalm 62 * 1 Samuel 24:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 1:26—2:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:62–67

Readings* Job 38:4–18 * Psalm 18:1–16 * Romans 10:5–17 * Matthew 14:22–33

Readings* Psalm 144 * 1 Samuel 20:24–42 * 1 Corinthians 1:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:58–61

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 20:1–23 * Acts 28:16–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:51–57

Readings* Psalm 21 * 1 Samuel 19:1–24 * Acts 28:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:45–50

Readings* Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 18:10–30 * Acts 27:27–44 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:38–44

Readings* Psalm 68 * 1 Samuel 17:48—18:9 * Acts 27:9–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:26–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joanna, Mary, and Salome, the three faithful women who visited Christ’s tomb early on the morning of the first Easter. These women bore myrrh and others items to dress the body of Christ, but instead found the tomb empty, Christ having risen. These women serve as examples of humble service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 98 * 1 Samuel 17:20–47 * Acts 26:24—27:8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:15–25

Readings* Psalm 70 * Psalm 75 * 1 Samuel 17:1–19 * Acts 26:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:9–14

Readings* Isaiah 55:1–5 * Psalm 136:1–9, 23–26 * Romans 9:1–13 * Matthew 14:13–21

Readings* Psalm 80 * 1 Samuel 16:1–23 * Acts 25:13–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:1–8 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy man from the village of Arimathea, Joseph owned an unused tomb in the vicinity of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. A devout man, and member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was eagerly awaiting the Kingdom of God. In contrast to many who fled for fear of the Jews, Joseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Christ, and, together with Nicodemus, placed the body in the tomb.

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 130 * 1 Samuel 15:10–35 * Acts 24:24—25:12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:115–121 CommemorationToday we commemorate Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Born in England in the late 1400s, Robert Barnes studied theology and eventually became a prior of the Augustinian monastery at Cambridge. Exiled to Germany, partly for distributing Bibles in English and for having converted to Lutheranism, Dr. Barnes would meet Martin Luther in Wittenberg, and the two would become friends. Upon his return to England, Dr. Barnes would share his Lutheran faith with King Henry VIII, who was initially receptive. However, changing political and ecclesiastical winds in England would eventually spell Dr. Barnes’ downfall. On 30 July 1540, Robert Barnes was burned at the stake on a charge of heresy, becoming one of the first Lutheran martyrs. Luther would later publish Barnes’ confession of faith, noting of Barnes that he was “[a] good, pious dinner guest and houseguest … [a] holy martyr, St. Robert Barnes.”

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 13 * 1 Samuel 14:47—15:9 * Acts 24:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:107–114 CommemorationToday we commemorate Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany, whose faith is recorded in the Gospels. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead and spoke to Martha, Lazarus’s sister: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Later, shortly before Jesus was crucified, Mary anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair — unknowingly readying Christ for burial.

Readings* Psalm 59 * Psalm 57 * 1 Samuel 13:1–18 * Acts 23:12–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:98–106

Readings* Psalm 119:17–24 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 12:1–25 * Acts 22:30—23:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:88–97

Readings* Psalm 69 * Psalm 70 * 1 Samuel 10:1–27 * Acts 22:17–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:86–87

Readings Psalm 63 * Psalm 149 * 1 Samuel 9:1–27 * Acts 21:37—22:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:75–85 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. James the Elder, Apostle*. St. James, and his brother St. John, sons of Zebedee, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Together with St. Peter and his brother St. Andrew, James and John were called to be disciples of Christ. Along with Peter and John, James formed a sort of ‘inner circle’ amongst the Twelve. In Acts, it is recorded that James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, thus making James the first among the Twelve to die a martyr.

Readings* Deuteronomy 7:6–9 * Psalm 125 * Romans 8:28–39 * Matthew 13:44–52

Readings* Psalm 24 * 1 Samuel 8:1–22 * Acts 21:15–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:61–74

Readings* Psalm 119:113–120 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 6:19—7:17 * Acts 19:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:48–60

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 5:1—6:16 * Acts 18:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:36–47 CommemorationToday we commemorate St. Mary Magdalene. Present at the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene had become a follower of Jesus when He cast out seven demons from her. She was also the first to see Jesus alive again after the crucifixion. The Church has long identified her with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil.

Readings* Psalm 106 * 1 Samuel 4:1–22 * Acts 16:23–40 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:22–35

Readings* Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 115 * 1 Samuel 3:1–21 * Acts 16:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:12–21 CommemorationToday we commemorate Elijah. Prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, largely during the reign of Ahab, Elijah condemned the Baal worship that had been promoted by Ahab’s wife, Jezebel. Through Elijah, God performed many miracles, demonstrating both Elijah’s status as a true prophet and the truth of Elijah’s message condemning Israel’s idolatry. At the end of his earthly life, Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a fiery chariot.

Readings* Psalm 82 * Psalm 136 * 1 Samuel 2:18–36 * Acts 15:22–41 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession III, IV:1–11

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 131 * 1 Samuel 1:21—2:17 * Galatians 6:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:35–51

Readings* Isaiah 44:6–8 * Psalm 119:57–64 * Romans 8:18–27 * Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 1:1–20 * Galatians 5:1–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:23–34

Readings* Psalm 21 * Judges 16:4–30 * Galatians 4:12–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:5–22 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ruth. A native of Moab, and therefore not a natural descendant of Abraham, Ruth is the subject of the biblical book that bears her name and a study in God’s grace. During a famine in Israel, Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem moved to Moab with their two sons; the sons married Moabite women and then a decade or so later died, leaving the women as widows. Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their people, but Ruth refused, stating: “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” After arriving in Bethlehem, Boaz, a relative of Naomi, agreed to marry Ruth and become her ‘redeemer’. Ruth gave birth to Obed, grandfather of Kind David, making Ruth great-grandmother to one of OT Israel’s most famous kings and an ancestress of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 33 * Psalm 27 * Judges 15:1—16:3 * Galatians 3:23—4:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession I, II:1–4

Readings* Psalm 119:1–8 * Psalm 1 * Judges 14:1–20 * Galatians 3:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Introduction: 1–19

Readings* Psalm 71 * Judges 13:1–25 * Galatians 2:1–21 * Augsburg Confession, Conclusion

Readings* Psalm 118 * Psalm 108 * Judges 7:1–23 * Galatians 1:1–24 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:61–78

Readings* Psalm 5 * Judges 6:25–40 * Acts 15:6–21 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:43–60

Readings* Psalm 125 * Psalm 7 * Judges 6:1–24 * Acts 14:19—15:5 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:30–42

Readings* Isaiah 55:10–13 * Psalm 65 * Romans 8:12–17 * Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 86 * Judges 4:1–24 * Acts 14:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:19–29

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 139 * Judges 3:7–31 * Acts 13:42–52 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:1–18

Readings* Psalm 2 * Psalm 78 * Judges 2:6–23 * Acts 13:13–41 * Augsburg Confession XXVII:44–62

Readings* Psalm 100 * Psalm 5 * Joshua 24:1–31 * Acts 13:1–12 * Augsburg Confession XXVII:24–43 CommemorationToday we commemorate Isaiah. Isaiah, son of Amos, numbers amongst the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and is quoted more than any other in the New Testament. A contemporary of Amos, Hosea, and Micah, Isaiah prophesied to the people of Judah between about 740 and 700 BC. No Old Testament prophet more clearly prophesied about the coming of the Christ and His Kingdom. In the words of John, Isaiah ‘saw Jesus’ glory and spoke of Him’.

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 149 * Joshua 23:1–16 * Acts 12:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XXVII:1–23

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 113 * Joshua 10:1–25 * Acts 11:19–30 * Augsburg Confession XXVI:21–45

Readings* Psalm 84 * Psalm 45 * Joshua 8:1–28 * Acts 11:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XXVI:1–20

Readings* Zechariah 9:9–12 * Psalm 145:1–14 * Romans 7:14–25a * Matthew 11:25–30

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 60 * Joshua 7:1–26 * Acts 10:34–48 * Augsburg Confession XXV

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 75 * Joshua 6:6–27 * Acts 10:18–33 * Augsburg Confession XXIV:21–41

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 144 * Joshua 5:1—6:5 * Acts 10:1–17 * Augsburg Confession XXIV:1–20

Readings* Psalm 103 * Joshua 4:1–24 * Acts 9:23–43 * Augsburg Confession XXIII CommemorationToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. Early Christian tradition holds that Ss. Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day in Rome under the persecution of Nero. In addition to their joint commemoration on June 29th (a festival the Church has observed since the third century or so), Ss. Peter and Paul are also commemorated separately in the calendar — St. Peter on the 18th of January for his confession of Christ and St. Paul on the 25th of January for his conversion. Both Peter and Paul are held up in Scripture as examples of men who, although flawed, became staunch defenders of and evangelists for the faith.

Readings* Psalm 89 * Psalm 97 * Joshua 3:1–17 * Acts 9:1–22 * Augsburg Confession XXII

Readings Psalm 51 * Joshua 2:1–24 * Acts 8:26–40 * Augsburg Confession XXI CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyril of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor*. Cyril became Archbishop of Alexandria in AD 412. A true defender of the faith and orthodoxy, Cyril produced a number of writings dealing with various theological matters. Cyril’s Christology had a significant impact on later theologians. Additionally, Cyril defended the truth that it is proper to call Mary the “Mother of God” or Theotokos, the ‘God-bearer’.

Readings* Jeremiah 28:5–9 * Psalm 119:153–160 * Romans 7:1–13 * Matthew 10:34–42

Readings* Psalm 31 * Joshua 1:1–18 * Acts 8:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XX:19–40 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jeremiah. Prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah predicted, witnessed, and lived through the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Through a lifetime of prophetic work, Jeremiah communicated God’s anger toward His rebellious people and often suffered at the hands of his countrymen. Although his death is unrecorded, it is believed that Jeremiah died in Egypt, after having been forcibly transported there.

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 73 * Proverbs 31:10–31 * John 21:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XX:1–18 CommemorationToday we commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. Presented to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at Augsburg, Germany, on 25 June 1530, the Augsburg Confession presents the theology of the Lutheran Church and of the Reformation. At the heart of the Confession is justification by grace alone through faith alone for the sake of Christ alone — presented primarily in Article IV, often called the ‘article on which the Church stands or falls’. Through the Augsburg Confession, the Lutheran Reformers began the arduous task of removing the corruption that had crept into the Church over centuries and restoring to its rightful place the true core of Christianity: Justificatio Sola Gratia Sola Fide Solo Christo — justification by grace alone through faith alone by and through Christ alone.

Readings* Psalm 85 * Proverbs 30:1–33 * John 20:19–31 * Augsburg Confession XVII–XIX FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The birth of St. John the Baptist was announced, by an angel, to his father, Zechariah. Initially unbelieving, Zechariah was struck mute until his son was born, but then proclaimed a hymn of praise, the Benedictus — which traditionally serves as the Gospel Canticle in the Church’s Service of Morning Prayer. John’s life is known from all four of the Gospels. Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness near the Jordan River, John prepared the way for the Christ. Upon seeing Jesus, John announced to the crowds: “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world!” Martyred by the Herodians, whose immoral lifestyle he denounced, John is remembered for his preaching which pointed to the coming Christ, the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.

Readings* Psalm 139 * Psalm 16 * Proverbs 27:1–24 * John 20:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XIV–XVI

Readings* Psalm 22 * Proverbs 25:1–22 * John 19:23–42 * Augsburg Confession XII–XIII

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 21 * Proverbs 24:1–22 * John 19:1–22 * Augsburg Confession IX–XI

Readings* Psalm 45 * Proverbs 22:22—23:12 * John 18:15–40 * Augsburg Confession VII–VIII

Readings* Jeremiah 20:7–13 * Psalm 91 * Romans 6:12–23 * Matthew 10:5a, 21–33

Readings* Psalm 31 * Psalm 102 * Proverbs 22:1–21 * John 18:1–14 * Augsburg Confession V–VI

Readings* Psalm 86 * Proverbs 20:1–25 * John 17:1–26 * Augsburg Confession III–IV

Readings* Psalm 107 * Proverbs 17:1–28 * John 16:17–33 * Augsburg Confession I–II

Readings* Psalm 147 * Proverbs 16:1–24 * John 16:1–16 * Augsburg Confession, Preface:12–24

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 10 * Proverbs 15:1–29 * John 15:12–27 * Augsburg Confession, Preface:1–11

Readings* Psalm 66 * Proverbs 14:1–27 * John 15:1–11 * Small Catechism, Table of Duties II of II CommemorationToday we commemorate Elisha. Son of Shaphat from the tribe of Issachar, Elisha was the prophet of God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel for decades. A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha, unlike his predecessor and mentor, Elijah, played an active role in political affairs. In the course of his ministry, Elisha performed many miracles, confirming his status as a prophet sent by God.

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 85 * Proverbs 13:1–25 * John 14:18–31 * Small Catechism, Table of Duties I of II

Readings* Psalm 37 * Psalm 101 * Proverbs 10:1–23 * John 14:1–17 * Small Catechism, Morning and Evening Prayer and Asking a Blessing and Returning Thanks CommemorationToday we commemorate the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Convoked in AD 325 by Roman Emperor Constantine, the Council of Nicaea ruled against the Arians, who taught that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God, but was a created being. The chief opponents of the Arians were Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Athanasius, deacon to Alexander. It was at this council that an early version of the Nicene Creed was adopted — the full version being adopted in its entirety at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.

Readings* Exodus 19:2–8 * Psalm 100 * Romans 5:6–15 * Matthew 9:35—10:20

Readings* Psalm 34 * Psalm 109 * Proverbs 9:1–18 * John 13:21–38 * Small Catechism VI FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Barnabas, Apostle. A Levite from Cyprus, Barnabas sold some land that he owned and donated the proceeds to the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Sent to oversee the Church in Antioch, Barnabas retrieved Paul from Tarsus and accompanied him back to Antioch, and from there to Paul’s first missionary journey. Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred in Cyprus, by being stoned.

Readings* Psalm 116 * Psalm 132 * Proverbs 8:22–36 * John 13:1–20 * Small Catechism V

Readings* Psalm 77 * Psalm 106 * Proverbs 8:1–21 * John 12:36b–50 * Small Catechism IV

Readings* Psalm 36 * Psalm 44 * Proverbs 5:1–23 * John 12:20–36a * Small Catechism III

Readings* Psalm 119:9–16 * Psalm 118 * Proverbs 4:1–27 * John 12:1–19 * Small Catechism II

Readings* Psalm 119:169–176 * Psalm 89 * Proverbs 3:5–24 * John 11:38–57 * Small Catechism I

Readings* Hosea 5:15—6:6 * Psalm 119:65–72 * Romans 4:13–25 * Matthew 9:9–13

Readings Psalm 72 * Psalm 63 * Proverbs 1:8–33 * John 11:17–37 * Small Catechism, Preface:19–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Boniface of Mainz, Missionary to the Germans*. Born in England, educated as a monk, and ordained a presbyter, Boniface decided to become a missionary. Granted a papal commission in AD 719, Boniface set to work planting, organizing, and reforming churches in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. In AD 743, now as an archbishop, Boniface was assigned to the See of Mainz. A little over a decade later, in AD 754, Boniface was martyred by a group of pagans while working in (what would become) the Netherlands. Boniface is remembered for his faith and his tireless work in spreading the Word to Germanic Europe.

Readings* Psalm 61 * Psalm 27 * Ecclesiastes 12:1–14 * John 11:1–16 * Small Catechism, Preface: 9–18

Readings* Psalm 77 * Psalm 82 * Ecclesiastes 11:1–10 * John 10:22–42 * Small Catechism, Preface: 1–8

Readings* Psalm 9 * Psalm 23 * Ecclesiastes 10:1–20 * John 10:1–21 * Augsburg Confession, Preface

Readings Psalm 97 * Psalm 115 * Ecclesiastes 9:1–17 * John 9:24–41 * Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope 68–82 CommemorationToday we commemorate Justin, Martyr*. Raised in a pagan family, Justin was a convert to Christianity who would become a Christian teacher in Ephesus and Rome. Arrested due to his refusal to make pagan sacrifices, Justin was tried and executed along with six other Christians. The record of the trial proceedings before Rusticius, a Roman prelate, documents Justin’s confession of faith, and served as a source of great encouragement for other believers.

Readings* Psalm 46 * Numbers 35:9–30 * Luke 24:28–53 * the Three Ecumenical Creeds

Readings* Psalm 97 * Psalm 85 * Numbers 32:1–27 * Luke 24:1–27 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:39–40

Readings* Psalm 132 * Psalm 38 * Numbers 27:12–23 * Luke 23:26–56 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:28–38

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 37 * Numbers 24:1–25 * Luke 23:1–25 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:1–27

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 102 * Numbers 23:4–28 * Luke 22:47–71 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:94–96

Readings* Psalm 94 * Psalm 149 * Numbers 22:21—23:3 * Luke 22:24–46 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:87–93

Readings Psalm 128 * Psalm 72 * Numbers 22:1–20 * Luke 22:1–23 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:76–86 CommemorationToday we commemorate Bede the Venerable, Theologian*. Bede was the last of the Early Church Fathers. Placed in a monastery at the age of seven, Bede rarely left his monastery home and devoted his life to teaching and writing. A prolific writer, Bede produced both histories and theological works — his commentaries are still used today. Bede’s most well-known disciple, Cuthbert, reported that Bede was working on translating the Gospel of John at the time of his death. Bede is buried in Durham Cathedral.

Readings* Numbers 11:24–30 * Psalm 25:1–15 * Acts 2:1–21 * John 7:37–39

Readings* Genesis 1:1—2:4a * Psalm 8 * Acts 2:14a, 22–36 * Matthew 28:16–20

Readings* Psalm 118 * Isaiah 5:1–25 * 1 Peter 2:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface: 14–20 CommemorationToday we commemorate Noah. Noah, son of Lamech, was instructed by God to build an ark. Faithful and obedient to God, Noah constructed the Ark that would carry him and his wife and his sons and their wives — the only eight people to survive the Flood. After the floodwaters subsided, Noah built an altar and gave thanks to God for His mercy in preserving the human race through Noah and his family. In promising never again to destroy all life from the Earth, God made the rainbow a sign of His covenant with man and all life. Whenever we see a rainbow, we should think of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love. We commemorate Noah for his faith and for his obedience to the word of God — for believing that God will do what He says He will do.

Readings* Psalm 102 * Psalm 85 * Isaiah 2:1–22 * 1 Peter 1:13–25 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface: 7–13

Readings* Psalm 66 * Isaiah 1:1–28 * 1 Peter 1:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface: 1–6

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 108 * Daniel 6:1–28 * Revelation 22:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:20–27

Readings* Deuteronomy 8:1–10 * Psalm 67 * Philippians 4:6–20 * 1 Timothy 2:1–4 * Luke 17:11–19

Readings* Psalm 48 * Daniel 5:1–30 * Revelation 21:9–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:15–19

Readings* Psalm 41 * Daniel 4:1–37 * Revelation 21:1–8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:11–14

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Daniel 3:1–30 * Revelation 20:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:6–10 CommemorationToday we commemorate Clement of Rome, Pastor*. An early father of the Church, Clement lived in the first century AD and helped to establish the pattern of apostolic authority that governed the Early Church. In a letter to the Christians in Corinth, Clement emphasized that Christ must remain at the center of our faith:

“Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to His Father, since it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to the whole world.”

Clement helped to lay the foundation upon which the Western Church would be built. He is commemorated for his steadfast love and perseverance in the faith. Clement of Rome was martyred in approximately AD 100 by drowning.

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 92 * Daniel 2:24–49 * Revelation 19:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:1–5

Readings* Malachi 3:13–18 * Psalm 46 * Colossians 1:13–20 * Luke 23:27–43

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 16 * Daniel 2:1–23 * Revelation 18:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:64–69

Readings* Psalm 118 * Daniel 1:1–21 * Matthew 28:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:57–63

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 18 * Jeremiah 38:1–28 * Matthew 27:57–66 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:47–56

Readings* Psalm 22 * Jeremiah 37:1–21 * Matthew 27:33–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:40–46

Readings* Psalm 148 * Jeremiah 33:1–22 * Matthew 27:11–32 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:34–39

Readings* Psalm 54 * Psalm 139 * Jeremiah 31:1–34 * Matthew 27:1–10 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:28–33

Readings* Psalm 51 * Jeremiah 30:1–24 * Matthew 26:57–75 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:24–27

Readings Psalm 53 * Psalm 55 * Jeremiah 29:1–19 * Matthew 26:36–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:18–23 CommemorationToday we commemorate Emperor Justinian, Christian Ruler and Confessor of Christ*. Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire from AD 527 to AD 565, Justinian oversaw a renaissance during which an empire long in decline briefly resurged. Under his leadership, the Roman Empire retook North Africa, Italy, and Spain. However, Justinian is primarily remembered for his codification of Roman law (a basis of many systems to this day) and his staunch defense of and support for the Christian faith.

Readings* Malachi 3:13–18 * Psalm 46 * Colossians 1:13–20 * Luke 23:27–43

Readings* Psalm 116 * Psalm 50 * Jeremiah 26:1–19 * Matthew 26:20–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:11–17

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 130 * Jeremiah 25:1–18 * Matthew 26:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:9–10

Readings Psalm 143 * Psalm 105 * Jeremiah 23:21–40 * Matthew 25:31–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:1–8 CommemorationToday we commemorate Martin of Tours, Pastor*. Born into a pagan family in what is today Hungary, Martin grew up in Lombardy, Italy. Converting to Christianity in his youth, Martin initially served in the Roman military, but later left the military to become a monk — referring to himself as “Christ’s soldier”. Martin went on to become Bishop of Tours in Gaul (modern France), and is remembered for his simple lifestyle and his dedication to spreading the Gospel throughout rural Gaul.

Readings* Psalm 24 * Psalm 25 * Jeremiah 23:1–20 * Matthew 25:14–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:96–99

Readings Psalm 147 * Jeremiah 22:1–23 * Matthew 25:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:89–95 CommemorationToday we commemorate the birth of Martin Chemnitz, Pastor and Confessor. Known as “the other Martin”, Martin Chemnitz stands as, aside from Martin Luther, the most important theologian in the history of the Lutheran Church. When disagreements arose in the wake of Luther’s death, it was Chemnitz who became the driving force behind the Formula of Concord, which restored unity. Among his many works, the four-volume Examination of the Council of Trent stands as one of Chemnitz’s greatest works; in the Examen*, Chemnitz subjected the teachings of the Roman church to Scripture and to the Church Fathers — Rome has never responded.

Readings Psalm 143 * Psalm 144 * Jeremiah 20:1–18 * Matthew 24:29–51 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:78–88 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johannes von Staupitz, Luther’s Father Confessor*. Vicar-General of the Augustinian order in Germany, Johannes von Staupitz was born in Saxony. Called in 1503, by Frederick the Wise, to serve as dean of the theological faculty at the newly established University of Wittenberg, von Staupitz would go on to encourage Luther to obtain his doctorate in theology and to appoint Luther to be his successor as professor of Bible at Wittenberg. It was von Staupitz who counseled Luther early on in Luther’s life, when Luther was an Augustinian monk struggling with the idea of God’s grace, to focus not upon himself but upon Christ.

Readings* Exodus 3:1–15 * Psalm 148 * 2 Thessalonians 2:1–8, 13–17 * Luke 20:27–40

Readings* Psalm 121 * Psalm 135 * Jeremiah 11:1–23 * Matthew 24:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:68–77

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 8:18—9:12 * Matthew 23:13–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:60–67

Readings* Psalm 38 * Jeremiah 7:1–29 * Matthew 23:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:52–59

Readings* Psalm 110 * Psalm 108 * Jeremiah 5:1–19 * Matthew 22:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:41–51

Readings* Psalm 15 * Psalm 26 * Jeremiah 3:6—4:2 * Matthew 22:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:35–40

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 1:1–19 * Matthew 21:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:30–34 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of All Saints’ Day. As Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ, so All Saints’ Day celebrates the resurrection of all those who believe in Him. On this day, we contemplate the scope and scale of Christ’s work — winning for His Kingdom men, women, and children from every tribe and nation. We are, indeed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. It is such resurrection that allows us to confess that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed”. Today we celebrate with the entire Church catholic the coming eternal Kingdom and the consummation of all things.

Readings Revelation 7:2–17 * Psalm 149 * 1 John 3:1–3 * Matthew 5:1–12 Homily TranscriptWe do not commonly use seals these days (at least outside the legal profession and certain hobbies, and, even then, they are still rare), and so it is worth mentioning what a seal actually is. The word used here in the Greek is σφραγις — a combination of sounds that is not particularly pleasing to the English ear, but the Greeks are another people, and other peoples are, indeed, other*, and have different sensibilities. At any rate, a σφραγις (I will go back to calling it a seal) has two core meanings: first, the instrument (often a ring) used to make a seal and, second, the seal itself. Figuratively, then, it may be anything that confirms or authenticates. When a man seals something, he is affirming that the contents are as he intends or he is asserting ownership. Such seals are still used by some of us who write physical letters.

Now, some may immediately think of the opening of Romans (among other parts of Scripture): Παυλος δουλος Χριστου Ιησου — Paul, a servant (or slave) of Christ Jesus. This is a good instinct, but there is a nuance here that must be highlighted: Letters, for examples, are sealed — σφραγιζω, σφραγις; slaves, for example, are branded — στιγματιζω, στιγμα. Yes, Galatians 6:17: εγο γαρ τα στιγματατου Ιησου — ”From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.“ —, but that is a topic of another time. The two — the seal and the brand — are related. We are, of course, slaves of God, for that is one of the senses of δουλος, but we are certainly more than that, for we are called sons (and daughters) of God, and so Revelation speaks of the mark on the forehead (a place where one might brand, for example, a runaway slave — a fugitivus [from which we get “fugitive”]) not as brand, but as seal. But what is this seal?

We know that a seal is a mark of ownership (this is obvious enough from the passage even without knowing anything of etymology, et cetera), and so the question is: When does God mark us as one claimed by Him in Christ? Again, the passage itself gives us (most of) the answer: “I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.“ There is only one ceremonial washing in which all Christians participate: Holy Baptism. Those who deny that Baptism is a Sacrament will simply prove incapable of exegeting this passage. The seal is placed by God, not by men. Now, some will try to contend that faith itself is the seal, but faith is the thing sealed, not the seal, for it is faith that distinguishes you as one claimed by Christ, and Baptism is the seal of that faith. It is in the waters of Baptism that you are washed in the blood of the Lamb and your dirty, sin-stained rags are transformed into white robes. Never let anyone — be it by foolishness or by malice — rob you of the truth of what Baptism is and what Baptism does: In your Baptism, God reached down from Heaven and sealed you as His child, redeemed and washed clean. There are those who will grasp at the fact that a minister did the actual sprinkling, pouring, immersing, or submersing, and say that that man baptized you and not God. Granted, the hands of a man poured the water over you or immersed you into the water. What of it? Who seals the saints in our passage from Revelation? Angels, acting on behalf and at the command of God. Would anyone deny that these saints are sealed by God Himself? Certainly no Christian would deny it. The same for Holy Baptism. What the hands of the agent do at the command of the principal is done by the hands of the principal himself. Your pastor or your father did not baptize you — God did. The same as I can say: Your sins are forgiven. In fact, I can — and certainly would — go beyond this privately. In private, I can very well say: Ego te absolvo. — I absolve you, I forgive your sins. To be absolutely clear: I am not doing so here and I will never do so publicly, for I hold to Article XIV: Niemand in der Kirche öffentlich lehren oder predigen oder Sakramente reichen soll ohne ordentlichen Beruf. — No one should publicly in the Church teach or preach or administer the Sacraments without a rightly ordered call. I am not a pastor, and, absent a rather large fish (or whatever the Appalachian equivalent is — I assume Bigfoot), I never will be one. It is your pastor’s duty to absolve you in the gathered congregation, and when he does so he speaks with the voice of God. Similarly, the man who baptized you did so with and as God’s hands.

What then of those who are never baptized? First, I must address the spirit that all too often underlies such questions. When God gives a command, it is a sinful impulse to look for exceptions. God commands us to baptize all nations (yes, including the infants — hence all), and He commands you to be baptized. Second, I will address the actual question: Is Baptism absolutely necessary to or for salvation? I am tempted to give the default attorney response: “It depends.”, but I find this one better and more accurate: “Yes, but no, but yes.” I will explain.

Yes, it is necessary to be baptized to be saved: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16). No, it is not absolutely necessary to be baptized to be saved — Baptism is one Means of Grace and edge cases do exist (I will not insult your intelligence by commenting on the thief on the cross). Yes, you must not denigrate the Sacrament of Baptism or refuse to be baptized to be saved — denigration and rejection of Baptism are both signs of apostasy and apostasy damns. So, yes, Baptism is a necessary part of the Christian life, but it is not absolutely necessary to be baptized to be saved, but only in the sense that there exist edge-case exceptions. Perhaps similarly, there are cases in which a poison may be prescribed as part of a specific medical treatment, but that fact does not mean you should consider the poison generally good.

We can hardly think too much of Baptism, nor can we praise it too highly. Fools are they who would take the work of God and transform it into the work of men (as if such a thing could even be done). By what work of men could we ever be kept safe from the Day of Judgement, from the day of darkness and not light, from the day of gloom and not brightness? Surely the works of man cannot save: ‘We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, because by works of the Law no one will be justified.’; we are indeed saved by works — those of Christ. And yet there are those who will cry: ‘What of Sola Fide — by faith alone!?” To them we reply: Yes, certainly, we are saved by faith alone, but how does God bestow this faith that saves? We know the answer to this question, no matter how much other Christians may (to their great detriment and shame) hate the answer: the Means of Grace. Yes, of course, God the Holy Ghost kindles faith via the Word read or heard, but so, too, does He use Holy Baptism. And we must never forget what a Sacrament actually is: a physical sign plus the Word. Even in the Sacrament of Baptism, the Word is not absent, for water alone saves no one. Was Noah saved by the Flood? No. Was he saved by the Ark? No. He was saved by his faith in God. Do you believe Noah owned the only boat in the antediluvian world? And yet he alone was saved, because he believed God’s word. Similarly, it is not the water alone that saves us, for mere water only makes us wet (and, perhaps, cleans the body); no, it is the Sacrament of Holy Baptism — water and Word — that saves us by bestowing the free gift of faith. To those who would deny this truth, we can repurpose Luther’s comment on the Real Presence: “If a hundred thousand devils, together with all fanatics, should rush forward, crying, How can bread and wine be the body and blood of Christ? I know that all spirits and scholars together are not as wise as is the Divine Majesty in His little finger.” I do not care what the world says about Baptism, for I know what God says about Baptism.

And yet I would be remiss if I did not comment on ‘infant Baptism’. And so let me begin by saying there is no such thing. Is there such a thing as ‘man’s Baptism’ or ‘woman’s Baptism’ or ‘German Baptism’ or ‘French Baptism’ or ‘American Baptism’? No. And so, also, there is no such thing as infant Baptism, for the Baptism of an infant is simply a Baptism. There is a great irony inherent in the arguments of those who deny Baptism to young children — perhaps they should read what Christ said about preventing little children from coming to Him; those who argue (to be unduly charitable) against baptizing young children would take Baptism and make it the work of human hands, which is to say that they inevitably believe they they did something when they were baptized. One would think that the passive verb would tell them something. But let us, here, recall what Christ says of those who have not been converted: He says that they are dead in their sins and trespasses. In my experience, corpses do not act. In fact, infants, have an advantage, as their wicked wills do not yet resist the Spirit so actively nor so vigorously as those of adult sinners. In Baptism, the Spirit finds the infant no so much more cooperative as less uncooperative than the adult. But what of the adult convert who comes to the font having already been converted by the Word? Such a man was surely dead in his sins and trespasses prior to his conversion, but he comes to his Baptism already believing the promises of God. Does such a man do anything in his Baptism? The answer, of course, is that he does precisely as much as he did in his conversion: nothing. Now, certainly, he walks to the font and professes his faith before the congregation, but in Baptism itself he does nothing, for it is God Who meets Him in the water and marks him as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. Just as such a man undoubtedly walked (or, more likely, drove) to church to hear the Word or read it by himself, but still did nothing in the matter of his own conversion, for it was God Who met him in the Word and bestowed upon him the free gift of faith. That our hypothetical man drove himself to church or purchased (and actually read) a Bible means something — just as the good works of unbelievers are still good within a certain frame —, but nothing he did or could do justifies him, gives him the free gift of faith: God alone can and does bestow belief.

Some argue against this on grounds that more or less boil down to an objection based on a lack of ‘consent’. I would have to ask such a man if he would object to the man who uses the defibrillator to restore his cardiac rhythm or the man who performs CPR to save him from brain damage or death or the man who saves him from overdose with naloxone. You cannot save yourself from temporal death in any of these situations; you cannot save yourself from eternal death in any situation by any means — only God can save you from eternal death and He has ordained two Means by which He will do so. You did not ‘consent’ to your creation; you did not ‘consent’ to your birth; you did not ‘consent’ to your death, and nor will you; and you cannot ‘consent’ to your rebirth in the waters of Holy Baptism or your resurrection on the Last Day. Consent surely has a proper place and time and purpose, but it has nothing to do with your salvation — except in the negative, for you can certainly object, and you can certainly reject God’s free gift. So do not reject your Baptism, do not take off the white robes you were given, lest you hear the words of the Master from Matthew 22: “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?”

Man is not spirit alone (and interactions with the spirit of a man are typically mediated by the flesh — by the senses — anyway), and so God has not left us with no way for the flesh, for the body, to interact with His good promises. God has graciously provided us with the Sacraments — Holy Baptism, in which we are sealed in Christ, and the Lord’s Supper, in which the faith given to us in the waters of Baptism is strengthened — and we should esteem and cherish these gifts, for they are, respectively, our seal and confirmation that we are, indeed, invited wedding guests who belong at the glorious feast at the consummation of all things.

Amen.

Readings* Psalm 150 * Psalm 147 * Deuteronomy 34:1–12 * Matthew 21:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:27–29 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of All Souls’ Day. All Souls’ Day is the first of two days in the season of Allhallowtide (which began yesterday on Halloween). Where All Saints’ Day is a joyous celebration of the resurrection of all who believe in Christ, All Souls’ Day is a somber contemplation of sin and mortality. The Festival of All Souls’ Day is rightly observed with fasting and prayer, both as individual Christians and as Christian nations.

Readings* Revelation 7:2–17 * Psalm 149 * 1 John 3:1–3 * Matthew 5:1–12

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 32:28–52 * Matthew 20:17–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:22–26 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of Reformation Day and the beginning of the three-day season of Allhallowtide (also known as Halloween). On 31 October 1517, an Augustinian monk nailed ninety-five theses, points for discussion, to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. Dr. Martin Luther did not, at the time, intend a break with the Roman church; rather, he sought only to address a number of pressing matters, among them indulgences. Rome, however, wanted nothing of Luther’s suggested discussion, and would eventually excommunicate him, declare him a heretic, and seek his death. Refusing to compromise on the rediscovered Gospel, Luther would go on to translate the New Testament, publish numerous works, and, above all, spark a Reformation that would see the restoration of Christ’s Church, over and against the heresies of Rome. We celebrate Reformation Day in remembrance of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love, of His work through Martin Luther that rescued the Gospel, enabling us to stand and, with Luther, declare of the Truth:

“Hier stehe ich — ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen.”

Or, in English:

“Here I stand — I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

Readings* Psalm 90 * Deuteronomy 31:30—32:27 * Matthew 20:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:16–21

Readings* Psalm 56 * Psalm 58 * Deuteronomy 31:1–29 * Matthew 19:16–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:9–15

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 132 * Deuteronomy 30:1–20 * Matthew 19:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:1–8

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 25 * Deuteronomy 29:1–29 * Matthew 18:21–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:60–71

Readings Psalm 12 * Psalm 9 * Deuteronomy 28:1–68 * Matthew 18:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:50–59 CommemorationToday we commemorate Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt, Hymnwriters*. Philipp Nicolai was a German pastor who lived through the Great Plague, which took the lives of thirteen hundred members of his parish. Despite hardships, he contributed hymns which the Church uses to this day — among them, “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” and “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”. Johann Heermann was a German pastor who lived through the Thirty Years’ War, and contributed a number of hymns to the corpus. Paul Gerhardt was a German pastor who also lived through the Thirty Years’ War, lost his pastoral position for refusing to compromise his beliefs, and wrote over one hundred hymns; he is regarded as one of Lutheranism’s finest hymnwriters.

Readings* Psalm 93 * Psalm 87 * Deuteronomy 27:1–26 * Matthew 17:14–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:40–49

Readings* Psalm 99 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 25:17—26:19 * Matthew 17:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:28–39

Readings* Revelation 14:6–7 * Psalm 46 * Romans 3:19–28 * Matthew 11:12–19 * John 8:31–36

Readings* Psalm 107 * Deuteronomy 24:10—25:10 * Matthew 16:13–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:18–27

Readings* Psalm 62 * Psalm 119:137–144 * Deuteronomy 21:1–23 * Matthew 16:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:7–17

Readings* Psalm 142 * Psalm 91 * Deuteronomy 20:1–20 * Matthew 15:21–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:1–6

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 140 * Deuteronomy 19:1–21 * Matthew 15:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXII:9–17

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 18:1–22 * Matthew 14:22–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXII:1–8

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 77 * Deuteronomy 17:1–20 * Matthew 14:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:38–44 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist. A traveling companion of St. Paul, St. Luke was a Greek physician, who would author one of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts. It is Luke who gives us details of Christ’s birth and many other events. Taken together, The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts comprise over a third of the New Testament.

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Deuteronomy 15:19—16:22 * Matthew 13:44–58 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:31–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr. Serving as bishop of Antioch in the beginning of the second century AD, Ignatius was a proponent of orthodox Christian doctrine. Arrested under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius, like Paul, was taken in chains to Rome, where he was executed by being thrown to wild beasts in the arena. In his letters, written on the way to Rome, Ignatius warned against false teachings, encouraged his fellow pastors, emphasized Christ’s full humanity and* full deity, defended the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, and stressed the unity of the Church (being the first to use the term “catholic” in describing her). Ignatius left behind a lasting legacy for the Church.

Readings* Genesis 32:22–30 * Psalm 121 * 2 Timothy 3:14—4:5 * Luke 18:1–8

Readings* Psalm 37 * Deuteronomy 14:1—15:15 * Matthew 13:24–43 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:21–30

Readings* Psalm 119:33–40 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 13:1–18 * Matthew 13:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:14–20

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 124 * Deuteronomy 12:13–32 * Matthew 12:38–50 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:1–13

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 11:26—12:12 * Matthew 12:22–37 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XX:86–92

Readings* Psalm 23 * Psalm 114 * Deuteronomy 9:23—10:22 * Matthew 11:20–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XVIII:67–76, XIX:77 CommemorationToday we commemorate Philip the Deacon. One of the seven men appointed to help the Apostles handle the work of the rapidly expanding Early Church by overseeing the distribution of food to the poor, Philip would go on to work as an evangelist in Samaria. Pursuant to the word of God brought to him by an angel, Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, an official in the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, on the road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza. In preaching the Good News to this man (and baptizing him), Philip became indirectly responsible for transmitting the Gospel to the continent of Africa.

Readings* Psalm 106 * Deuteronomy 9:1–22 * Matthew 11:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XVI:61–65, XVII:66

Readings* Ruth 1:1–19a * Psalm 111 * 2 Timothy 2:1–13 * Luke 17:11–19

Readings* Psalm 103 * Deuteronomy 8:1–20 * Matthew 10:24–42 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XVI:53–60 CommemorationToday we commemorate Abraham. Selected from among the nations and called by God to become the father of a great nation, Abraham left his home and all that he had ever known, at the age of seventy-five, and moved to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and to his descendants (a promise fulfilled under the reign of Israel’s monarchs). At the age of one hundred, Abraham had Isaac with his wife Sarah — a miraculous birth according to the promise from God. Demonstrating his obedience to and trust in God in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (a sacrifice God stopped by speaking from Heaven and providing a ram), Abraham is commended for his trusting faith in God and His promises. Through the Seed of Abraham, that is Jesus Christ, all nations have been blessed.

Readings* Psalm 126 * Psalm 141 * Deuteronomy 7:1–19 * Matthew 10:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XV:45–52

Readings Psalm 121 * Psalm 131 * Deuteronomy 6:10–25 * Matthew 9:18–38 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XV:31–44 CommemorationToday we commemorate Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg, Pastor*. Born in Einbeck, Germany, in 1711, Mühlenberg moved to the American colonies in 1742. Helping to found many Lutheran congregations through tireless travel, Mühlenberg would become the guiding force behind the formation of the first Lutheran Synod in North America — the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Remembered as a church leader, liturgist, and pastor, when Mühlenberg died in 1787, he left behind not only a large extended family, but also a lasting heritage: American Lutheranism.

Readings* Psalm 91 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 5:22—6:9 * Matthew 9:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XV:22–30

Readings* Psalm 86 * Deuteronomy 5:1–21 * Matthew 8:18–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XV:13–21

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 4:21–40 * Matthew 8:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XV:1–12

Readings* Psalm 119:9–16 * Psalm 125 * Deuteronomy 4:1–20 * Matthew 7:13–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIV:24–28

Readings* Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4 * Psalm 62 * 2 Timothy 1:1–14 * Luke 17:1–10

Readings* Psalm 3 * Psalm 2 * Deuteronomy 3:1–29 * Matthew 7:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII:14–23

Readings* Psalm 130 * Psalm 51 * Deuteronomy 2:16–37 * Matthew 6:16–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII:1–13

Readings* Psalm 119:161–168 * Psalm 63 * Deuteronomy 1:37—2:15 * Matthew 6:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB:77–81

Readings Psalm 19 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 1:19–36 * Matthew 5:21–48 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:67–76 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels*. One of the archangels, tradition names Michael as patron and protector of the Church and of Christians. Mentioned in the Biblical books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, Michael leads the hosts of Heaven into battle against Satan and his demons — a victory assured by the blood of Christ, and announced in Revelation 12:10 by a voice from Heaven:

“Now the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down[.]”

Readings* Psalm 91 * Malachi 3:6—4:6 * Matthew 4:12–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:51–57

Readings* Amos 6:1–7 * Psalm 146 * 1 Timothy 3:1–13, 6:6–19 * Luke 16:19–31

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 32 * Malachi 2:1—3:5 * Matthew 4:1–11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:43–50

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Malachi 1:1–14 * Matthew 3:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:34–42

Readings* Psalm 123 * Psalm 99 * Nehemiah 9:22–38 * 1 Timothy 6:3–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:25–33

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Nehemiah 9:1–21 * 1 Timothy 5:17—6:2 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIB:16–24

Readings* Psalm 133 * Psalm 119:97–104 * Nehemiah 7:1–4; 8:1–18 * 1 Timothy 5:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB:1–14 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jonah. Called by God to preach in Nineveh, capital of Assyria, Jonah initially refused his call and attempted to flee. Whereas all are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale, the Book of Jonah focuses more on God’s mercy, patience, and compassion. Christ Himself uses the story of Jonah and the whale in describing His own death, burial, and resurrection.

Readings* Psalm 55 * Psalm 119:89–96 * Nehemiah 5:1–16; 6:1–16 * 1 Timothy 4:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIA:83–97 CommemorationToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. An author of one of the four Gospels, Matthew was called to follow Jesus, and, in doing so, left behind a lucrative occupation as tax collector. Church tradition is uncertain as to the specifics of Matthew’s death.

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 54 * Nehemiah 4:7–23 * 1 Timothy 3:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIA:68–82

Readings* Amos 8:4–7 * Psalm 113 * 1 Timothy 2:1–15 * Luke 16:1–15

Readings* Psalm 136 * Nehemiah 2:11–20; 4:1–6 * 1 Timothy 2:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIA:59–67

Readings Psalm 108 * 2 Chronicles 35:1–25 * Colossians 3:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIA:11–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr*. Living in the third century AD, Cyprian served as bishop of Carthage. Originally fleeing Carthage under the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian returned and set rules for those who had fallen away from the faith under persecution to return to the Church. Under later persecution by Roman Emperor Valerian, Cyprian initially hid himself, but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded in AD 258.

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 4 * 2 Chronicles 34:1–33 * Colossians 2:8–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIIA:1–10

Readings* Psalm 38 * 2 Chronicles 33:1–25 * Colossians 1:24—2:7 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XI:60–67

Readings* Psalm 27 * Psalm 31 * 2 Chronicles 32:1–22 * Colossians 1:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IX–XI:54–57

Readings* Psalm 94 * 2 Chronicles 31:1–21 * Philippians 4:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession VII:36–50

Readings* Ezekiel 34:11–24 * Psalm 119:169–176 * 1 Timothy 1:5–17 * Luke 15:1–10

Readings* Psalm 44 * Psalm 100 * 2 Chronicles 29:1–24 * Philippians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession VII:25–35

Readings* Psalm 58 * Psalm 53 * 2 Kings 9:1—10:29 * Philippians 2:12–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession VII:16–24

Readings* Psalm 61 * Psalm 59 * 2 Kings 6:1–23 * Philippians 1:21—2:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession VII:1–15

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 69 * 2 Kings 5:9–27 * Philippians 1:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:269–279

Readings* Psalm 131 * Psalm 77 * 2 Kings 4:38—5:8 * Ephesians 6:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:262–268

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 128 * 2 Kings 4:8–37 * Ephesians 5:15–33 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:257–261

Readings* Deuteronomy 30:15–20 * Psalm 1 * Philemon 1–21 * Luke 14:25–35

Readings* Psalm 56 * 2 Kings 2:19–25; 4:1–7 * Ephesians 4:25—5:14 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:249–256 CommemorationToday we commemorate Zacharias and Elizabeth. Remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety, Zacharias and Elizabeth became the parents of John the Baptist despite their old age. Initially disbelieving the promise, Zacharias was struck mute by the angel who announced that Zacharias and Elizabeth would have a son; upon confirming his wife’s chosen name for their son, John, Zacharias was restored to his ability to speak. Upon regaining his speech, Zacharias sang the Benedictus, a summary of the promises in the Old Testament and a prophecy of John the Baptist’s ministry as a forerunner of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 90 * Psalm 107 * 2 Kings 2:2–18 * Ephesians 4:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:241–248 CommemorationToday we commemorate Moses. Greatest amongst the Old Testament prophets, Moses spoke with God face to face. Moses’ life was divided into three parts of forty years each: First, he lived in Egypt in the royal court, having been rescued by the daughter of pharaoh (and the intervention of God); second, he lived as a shepherd in the land of Midian after fleeing Egypt; and, third, he led Israel during the wandering in the desert. Prohibited from entering the Promised Land due to disobedience at Meribah, Moses was nevertheless allowed to view the land from Mount Nebo, where he then died and was buried (in an unknown location) by God.

Readings Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 108 * 1 Kings 19:1–21 * Ephesians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:235–240 CommemorationToday we commemorate Gregory the Great, Pastor*. Gregory served both as mayor and, later, as bishop of Rome. Before entering full-time service in the Church, Gregory helped to strengthen a Rome weakened by enemy invasions and plague, and sold his considerable possessions and donated the proceeds to help the poor. As bishop of Rome, Gregory contributed to the Church by establishing a Church Year calendar, which some church bodies still use to this day, and overseeing musical and liturgical development, advancing missionary work in Northern Europe, and composing a book on pastoral care that would long serve as a standard in the Church.

Readings* Psalm 135 * 1 Kings 18:20–40 * Ephesians 2:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:223–234 CommemorationToday we commemorate Hannah. The favored wife of her husband, Elkanah, Hannah suffered through years of barrenness, but never gave up hope in the Lord. For her devotion, she was repaid with the birth of a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the service of the Lord. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, which would come centuries later.

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 8 * 1 Kings 18:1–19 * Ephesians 1:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:213–222 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joshua, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. Most noted for his succession of Moses as Israel’s commander-in-chief, Joshua led a life of devotion to and faith in God. From defeating the Amalekites and being in charge of the tent of meeting to scouting the land of Canaan and leading Israel across the Jordan, Joshua showed steadfast faith in God and His promises. Joshua is especially noted for his final address, in which he, like Moses before him, presented the Israelites with the path of life and the path of death, the path of obedience to God and the path of rebellion, and in which he spoke his most famous words: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 70 * 1 Kings 16:29—17:24 * 2 Corinthians 9:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:205–212

Readings* Psalm 29 * Psalm 75 * 1 Kings 12:20—13:34 * 2 Corinthians 8:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:195–204

Readings* Proverbs 25:2–10 * Psalm 131 * Hebrews 13:1–17 * Luke 14:1–14

Readings* Psalm 48 * 1 Kings 11:1–26 * 2 Corinthians 6:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:183–191

Readings* Psalm 72 * 1 Kings 9:1–9; 10:1–13 * 2 Corinthians 5:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:177–182

Readings* Psalm 36 * 1 Kings 8:22–63 * 2 Corinthians 4:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:170–176

Readings* Psalm 32 * 1 Kings 7:51—8:21 * 2 Corinthians 3:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:167–169

Readings* Psalm 27 * 1 Kings 5:1–18 * 2 Corinthians 1:23—2:17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:160–166 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of St. Bartholomew, Apostle. Called by Christ in Galilee (in the town of Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle), Bartholomew would become one of the first of Jesus’ twelve disciples. According to Church tradition, Bartholomew brought the Gospel to Armenia, where he was martyred.

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 49 * 1 Kings 3:1–15 * 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:153–159

Readings* Psalm 97 * 1 Kings 2:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:148–152

Readings* Isaiah 66:18–23 * Psalm 50:1–15 * Hebrews 12:4–29 * Luke 13:22–30

Readings* Psalm 139 * 1 Kings 1:1–35 * 1 Corinthians 12:14–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:144–147

Readings* Psalm 51 * 2 Samuel 12:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 12:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:140–143 CommemorationToday we commemorate Samuel. Last among the judges and first among the post-Moses prophets, Samuel lived a life of devotion to God. Samuel, at God’s command, would anoint both Israel’s first king — Saul — and her second — David.

Readings Psalm 12 * Psalm 22 * 2 Samuel 11:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:137–139 CommemorationToday we commemorate Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymnwriter and Theologian*. Born into wealth, Bernard abandoned a life of affluence and entered a monastery at twenty-two. Eventually he was sent to start a new monastery, which monastery would go on to found many daughter houses, but he is best known for his preaching and hymn-writing.

Readings* Psalm 107 * Psalm 106 * 2 Samuel 7:18–29 * 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:133–136

Readings Psalm 24 * 2 Samuel 7:1–17 * 1 Corinthians 9:24—10:22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:124–132 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johann Gerhard, Theologian. Born in Quedlinburg, Germany, in 1582, Gerhard would go on to become one of the most influential theologians of the Christian faith. A prolific author, Gerhard’s Loci Theologici* and many other writings, including sermons, are still widely published and read today.

Readings* Psalm 11 * Psalm 84 * 2 Samuel 6:1–19 * 1 Corinthians 9:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:119–123 CommemorationToday we commemorate Isaac. Born to Abraham and Sarah when they were, respectively, one hundred years old and ninety-one years old, Isaac (whose name means ‘laughter’), would go on to father Jacob (who would become Israel) and Esau. Taken to Mount Moriah by his father to be sacrificed at the command of God, Isaac was spared at the last moment by the provision of a ram caught in a thicket — this episode pointed forward to the substitutionary sacrifice and atonement of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 132 * 2 Samuel 5:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:112–118 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Mentioned throughout the Gospels, Mary was present at many of the major events in her Son’s life. Mary is especially remembered for her unconditional obedience to the will of God, her trust in her Jesus (even when she did not understand all of His words), and, above all, for being honored as the mother of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 33 * 2 Samuel 1:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:104–111

Readings* Psalm 68 * 1 Samuel 31:1–13 * 1 Corinthians 7:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:97–103

Readings* Psalm 99 * 1 Samuel 28:3–25 * 1 Corinthians 6:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:89–96

Readings* Psalm 51 * 1 Samuel 26:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:82–88

Readings* Psalm 14 * Psalm 53 * 1 Samuel 25:23–44 * 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:74–81 CommemorationToday we commemorate Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Most likely born in Spain, Lawrence eventually made his way to Rome and became chief of the seven deacons of the Church. Having control over Church property and finances, Lawrence was called before the Roman emperor, who believed the Church possessed valuable items that could be confiscated, and commanded to produce the “treasures of the Church”. In response, Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor who had benefited from Christian charity. The emperor jailed Lawerence and eventually ordered him executed — by gridiron.

Readings* Psalm 94 * 1 Samuel 25:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:68–73

Readings* Psalm 62 * 1 Samuel 24:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 1:26—2:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:62–67

Readings* Genesis 15:1–6 * Psalm 33:12–22 * Hebrews 11:1–16 * Luke 12:22–40

Readings* Psalm 144 * 1 Samuel 20:24–42 * 1 Corinthians 1:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:58–61

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 20:1–23 * Acts 28:16–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:51–57

Readings* Psalm 21 * 1 Samuel 19:1–24 * Acts 28:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:45–50

Readings* Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 18:10–30 * Acts 27:27–44 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:38–44

Readings* Psalm 68 * 1 Samuel 17:48—18:9 * Acts 27:9–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:26–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joanna, Mary, and Salome, the three faithful women who visited Christ’s tomb early on the morning of the first Easter. These women bore myrrh and others items to dress the body of Christ, but instead found the tomb empty, Christ having risen. These women serve as examples of humble service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 98 * 1 Samuel 17:20–47 * Acts 26:24—27:8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:15–25

Readings* Psalm 70 * Psalm 75 * 1 Samuel 17:1–19 * Acts 26:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:9–14

Readings* Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–26 * Psalm 100 * Colossians 3:1–11 * Luke 12:13–21

Readings* Psalm 80 * 1 Samuel 16:1–23 * Acts 25:13–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession V:1–8 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy man from the village of Arimathea, Joseph owned an unused tomb in the vicinity of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. A devout man, and member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was eagerly awaiting the Kingdom of God. In contrast to many who fled for fear of the Jews, Joseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Christ, and, together with Nicodemus, placed the body in the tomb.

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 130 * 1 Samuel 15:10–35 * Acts 24:24—25:12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:115–121 CommemorationToday we commemorate Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Born in England in the late 1400s, Robert Barnes studied theology and eventually became a prior of the Augustinian monastery at Cambridge. Exiled to Germany, partly for distributing Bibles in English and for having converted to Lutheranism, Dr. Barnes would meet Martin Luther in Wittenberg, and the two would become friends. Upon his return to England, Dr. Barnes would share his Lutheran faith with King Henry VIII, who was initially receptive. However, changing political and ecclesiastical winds in England would eventually spell Dr. Barnes’ downfall. On 30 July 1540, Robert Barnes was burned at the stake on a charge of heresy, becoming one of the first Lutheran martyrs. Luther would later publish Barnes’ confession of faith, noting of Barnes that he was “[a] good, pious dinner guest and houseguest … [a] holy martyr, St. Robert Barnes.”

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 13 * 1 Samuel 14:47—15:9 * Acts 24:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:107–114 CommemorationToday we commemorate Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany, whose faith is recorded in the Gospels. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead and spoke to Martha, Lazarus’s sister: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Later, shortly before Jesus was crucified, Mary anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair — unknowingly readying Christ for burial.

Readings* Psalm 59 * Psalm 57 * 1 Samuel 13:1–18 * Acts 23:12–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:98–106 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johann Sebastian Bach, Kantor. Born in 1685, Bach would become one of history’s most prolific, and gifted, composers. Not only did Bach compose, but he also performed, conducted, and taught music. For the last twenty-seven years of his life, Bach was responsible for the music in the four Lutheran churches in Leipzig, where he died in 1750. A devout and devoted Lutheran, Bach bequeathed to the Church a wealth of music, which he wrote to the glory of God and for the edification of all Christians.

Readings* Psalm 119:17–24 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 12:1–25 * Acts 22:30—23:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:88–97

Readings* Psalm 69 * Psalm 70 * 1 Samuel 10:1–27 * Acts 22:17–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:86–87

Readings Psalm 63 * Psalm 149 * 1 Samuel 9:1–27 * Acts 21:37—22:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:75–85 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. James the Elder, Apostle*. St. James, and his brother St. John, sons of Zebedee, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Together with St. Peter and his brother St. Andrew, James and John were called to be disciples of Christ. Along with Peter and John, James formed a sort of ‘inner circle’ amongst the Twelve. In Acts, it is recorded that James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, thus making James the first among the Twelve to die a martyr.

Readings* Genesis 18:17–33 * Psalm 138 * Colossians 2:6–19 * Luke 11:1–13

Readings* Psalm 24 * 1 Samuel 8:1–22 * Acts 21:15–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:61–74

Readings* Psalm 119:113–120 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 6:19—7:17 * Acts 19:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:48–60

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 5:1—6:16 * Acts 18:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:36–47 CommemorationToday we commemorate St. Mary Magdalene. Present at the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene had become a follower of Jesus when He cast out seven demons from her. She was also the first to see Jesus alive again after the crucifixion. The Church has long identified her with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil.

Readings* Psalm 106 * 1 Samuel 4:1–22 * Acts 16:23–40 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:22–35 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ezekiel. Called by God to be a priest to the exiles during the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel prophesied about the inevitable judgement on Jerusalem, which took place in 586 BC with the destruction of both the city and the Temple. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, Ezekiel prophesied hope to the exiles, delivering God’s promise of a future restoration in the coming Messianic Kingdom. Much of Ezekiel’s prophetic symbolism would be later used by St. John in Revelation.

Readings* Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 115 * 1 Samuel 3:1–21 * Acts 16:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV:12–21

Readings* Psalm 82 * Psalm 136 * 1 Samuel 2:18–36 * Acts 15:22–41 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession III, IV:1–11

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 131 * 1 Samuel 1:21—2:17 * Galatians 6:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:35–51

Readings* Genesis 18:1–14 * Psalm 27:1–14 * Colossians 1:21–29 * Luke 10:38–42

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 1:1–20 * Galatians 5:1–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:23–34

Readings* Psalm 21 * Judges 16:4–30 * Galatians 4:12–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession II:5–22

Readings* Psalm 33 * Psalm 27 * Judges 15:1—16:3 * Galatians 3:23—4:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession I, II:1–4

Readings* Psalm 119:1–8 * Psalm 1 * Judges 14:1–20 * Galatians 3:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Introduction:1–19

Readings* Psalm 71 * Judges 13:1–25 * Galatians 2:1–21 * Augsburg Confession Conclusion

Readings* Psalm 118 * Psalm 108 * Judges 7:1–23 * Galatians 1:1–24 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:61–78

Readings* Psalm 5 * Judges 6:25–40 * Acts 15:6–21 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:43–60

Readings* Leviticus 18:1–5, 19:9–18 * Psalm 41 * Colossians 1:1–14 * Luke 10:25–37

Readings* Psalm 125 * Psalm 7 * Judges 6:1–24 * Acts 14:19—15:5 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:30–42

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 86 * Judges 4:1–24 * Acts 14:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:19–29

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 139 * Judges 3:7–31 * Acts 13:42–52 * Augsburg Confession XXVIII:1–18

Readings* Psalm 2 * Psalm 78 * Judges 2:6–23 * Acts 13:13–41 * Augsburg Confession XXVII:44–62

Readings* Psalm 100 * Psalm 5 * Joshua 24:1–31 * Acts 13:1–12 * Augsburg Confession XXVII CommemorationToday we commemorate Isaiah. Isaiah, son of Amoz, numbers amongst the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and is quoted more than any other in the New Testament. A contemporary of Amos, Hosea, and Micah, Isaiah prophesied to the people of Judah between about 740 and 700 BC. No Old Testament prophet more clearly prophesied about the coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom. In the words of John, Isaiah ‘saw Jesus’ glory and spoke of Him’.

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 149 * Joshua 23:1–16 * Acts 12:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XXVII

Readings* Isaiah 66:10–14 * Psalm 66:1–7 * Galatians 6:1–10, 14–18 * Luke 10:1–20

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 113 * Joshua 10:1–25 * Acts 11:19–30 * Augsburg Confession XXVI

Readings* Psalm 84 * Psalm 45 * Joshua 8:1–28 * Acts 11:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XXVI

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 60 * Joshua 7:1–26 * Acts 10:34–48 * Augsburg Confession XXV

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 75 * Joshua 6:6–27 * Acts 10:18–33 * Augsburg Confession XXIV

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 144 * Joshua 5:1—6:5 * Acts 10:1–17 * Augsburg Confession XXIV

Readings* Psalm 103 * Joshua 4:1–24 * Acts 9:23–43 * Augsburg Confession XXIII FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. Early Christian tradition holds that Ss. Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day in Rome under the persecution of Nero. In addition to their joint commemoration on June 29th (a festival the Church has observed since the third century or so), Ss. Peter and Paul are also commemorated separately in the calendar — St. Peter on the 18th of January for his confession of Christ and St. Paul on the 25th of January for his conversion. Both Peter and Paul are held up in Scripture as examples of men who, although flawed, became staunch defenders of and evangelists for the faith.

Readings* Psalm 89 * Psalm 97 * Joshua 3:1–17 * Acts 9:1–22 * Augsburg Confession XXII

Readings Psalm 51 * Joshua 2:1–24 * Acts 8:26–40 * Augsburg Confession XXI CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyril of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor*. Cyril became Archbishop of Alexandria in AD 412. A true defender of the faith and orthodoxy, Cyril produced a number of writings dealing with various theological matters. Cyril’s Christology had a significant impact on later theologians. Additionally, Cyril defended the truth that it is proper to call Mary the “Mother of God” or Theotokos, the ‘God-bearer’.

Readings* Acts 15:1–21 * Psalm 46 * Galatians 2:1–10 * Matthew 16:13–19

Readings* Psalm 31 * Joshua 1:1–18 * Acts 8:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XX:19–40 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jeremiah. Prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah predicted, witnessed, and lived through the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Through a lifetime of prophetic work, Jeremiah communicated God’s anger toward His rebellious people and often suffered at the hands of his countrymen. Although his death is unrecorded, it is believed that Jeremiah died in Egypt, after having been forcibly transported there.

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 73 * Proverbs 31:10–31 * John 21:1–25 * Augsburg Confession XX:1–18 CommemorationToday we commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. Presented to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at Augsburg, Germany, on 25 June 1530, the Augsburg Confession presents the theology of the Lutheran Church and of the Reformation. At the heart of the Confession is justification by grace alone through faith alone for the sake of Christ alone — presented primarily in Article IV, often called the ‘article on which the Church stands or falls’. Through the Augsburg Confession, the Lutheran Reformers began the arduous task of removing the corruption that had crept into the Church over centuries and restoring to its rightful place the true core of Christianity: Justificatio Sola Gratia Sola Fide Solo Christo — justification by grace alone through faith alone by and through Christ alone.

Readings* Psalm 85 * Proverbs 30:1–33 * John 20:19–31 * Augsburg Confession XVII–XIX FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The birth of St. John the Baptist was announced, by an angel, to his father, Zechariah. Initially unbelieving, Zechariah was struck mute until his son was born, but then proclaimed a hymn of praise, the Benedictus — which traditionally serves as the Gospel Canticle in the Church’s Service of Morning Prayer. John’s life is known from all four of the Gospels. Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness near the Jordan River, John prepared the way for the Messiah — Christ. Upon seeing Christ, John announced to the crowds: “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world!” Martyred by the Herodians, whose immoral lifestyle he denounced, John is remembered for his preaching which pointed to the coming Messiah, the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.

Readings* Psalm 139 * Psalm 16 * Proverbs 27:1–24 * John 20:1–18 * Augsburg Confession XIV–XVI

Readings* Psalm 22 * Proverbs 25:1–22 * John 19:23–42 * Augsburg Confession XII–XIII

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 21 * Proverbs 24:1–22 * John 19:1–22 * Augsburg Confession IX–XI

Readings* Psalm 45 * Proverbs 22:22—23:12 * John 18:15–40 * Augsburg Confession VII–VIII

Readings* Isaiah 65:1–9 * Psalm 3 * Galatians 3:23—4:7 * Luke 8:26–39

Readings* Psalm 31 * Psalm 102 * Proverbs 22:1–21 * John 18:1–14 * Augsburg Confession V–VI

Readings* Psalm 86 * Proverbs 20:1–25 * John 17:1–26 * Augsburg Confession III–IV

Readings* Psalm 107 * Proverbs 17:1–28 * John 16:17–33 * Augsburg Confession I–II

Readings* Psalm 147 * Proverbs 16:1–24 * John 16:1–16 * Augsburg Confession Preface:1–24

Readings* Psalm 46 * Numbers 35:9–30 * Luke 24:28–53 * the Ecumenical Creeds

Readings* Psalm 97 * Psalm 85 * Numbers 32:1–27 * Luke 24:1–27 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:39–40 CommemorationToday we commemorate Elisha. Son of Shaphat from the tribe of Issachar, Elisha was the prophet of God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel for decades. A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha, unlike his predecessor and mentor, Elijah, played an active role in political affairs. In the course of his ministry, Elisha performed many miracles, confirming his status as a prophet sent by God.

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 38 * Numbers 27:12–23 * Luke 23:26–56 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:28–38

Readings* Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31 * Psalm 8 * Acts 2:14a, 22–36 * John 8:48–59

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 37 * Numbers 24:1–25 * Luke 23:1–25 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XII:1–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Convoked in AD 325 by Roman Emperor Constantine, the Council of Nicaea ruled against the Arians, who taught that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God, but was a created being. The chief opponents of the Arians were Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Athanasius, deacon to Alexander. It was at this council that an early version of the Nicene Creed was adopted — the full version being adopted in its entirety at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 102 * Numbers 23:4–28 * Luke 22:47–71 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:94–96 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Barnabas, Apostle. A Levite from Cyprus, Barnabas sold some land that he owned and donated the proceeds to the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Sent to oversee the Church in Antioch, Barnabas retrieved Paul from Tarsus and accompanied him back to Antioch, and from there to Paul’s first missionary journey. Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred in Cyprus, by being stoned.

Readings* Psalm 94 * Psalm 149 * Numbers 22:21—23:3 * Luke 22:24–46 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:87–93

Readings* Psalm 128 * Psalm 72 * Numbers 22:1–20 * Luke 22:1–23 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:76–86

Readings* Psalm 135 * Psalm 58 * Numbers 21:10–35 * Luke 21:20–38 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration XI:65–75

Readings* Genesis 11:1-9 * Psalm 143 * Acts 2:1–21 * John 14:23–31

Readings* Psalm 123 * Psalm 7 * Isaiah 6:1—7:9 * 1 Peter 2:13–25 * Large Catechism, Short Preface, 1–13 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. Brother of Simon Peter, St. Andrew was born in the village of Bethsaida. Originally a follower of St. John the Baptist, Andrew was called and became the first disciple of Christ. Church tradition holds that Andrew was martyred on an X-shaped cross. It is St. Andrew’s Day that determines the beginning of the Western Church Year, as the First Sunday in Advent is always the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew’s Day.

Readings* Psalm 118 * Isaiah 5:1–25 * 1 Peter 2:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 14–20 CommemorationToday we commemorate Noah. Noah, son of Lamech, was instructed by God to build an ark. Faithful and obedient to God, Noah constructed the Ark that would carry him and his wife and his sons and their wives — the only eight people to survive the Flood. After the floodwaters subsided, Noah built an altar and gave thanks to God for His mercy in preserving the human race through Noah and his family. In promising never again to destroy all life from the Earth, God made the rainbow a sign of His covenant with man and all life. Whenever we see a rainbow, we should think of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love. We commemorate Noah for his faith and for his obedience to the word of God — for believing that God will do what He says He will do.

Readings* Psalm 102 * Psalm 85 * Isaiah 2:1–22 * 1 Peter 1:13–25 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 7–13

Readings* Psalm 66 * Isaiah 1:1–28 * 1 Peter 1:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 1–6

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 108 * Daniel 6:1–28 * Revelation 22:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:20–27

Readings* Deuteronomy 8:1–10 * Psalm 67 * Philippians 4:6–20 * 1 Timothy 2:1–4 * Luke 17:11–19

Readings* Psalm 48 * Daniel 5:1–30 * Revelation 21:9–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:15–19

Readings* Psalm 41 * Daniel 4:1–37 * Revelation 21:1–8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:11–14

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Daniel 3:1–30 * Revelation 20:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVIII:6–10 CommemorationToday we commemorate Clement of Rome, Pastor*. An early father of the Church, Clement lived in the first century AD and helped to establish the pattern of apostolic authority that governed the Early Church. In a letter to the Christians in Corinth, Clement emphasized that Christ must remain at the center of our faith:

“Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to His Father, since it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to the whole world.”

Clement helped to lay the foundation upon which the Western Church would be built. He is commemorated for his steadfast love and perseverance in the faith. Clement of Rome was martyred in approximately AD 100 by drowning.

Readings* Isaiah 51:4–6 * Psalm 93 * Jude 20–25 * Mark 13:24–37

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 92 * Daniel 2:24–49 * Revelation 19:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII:1–5

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 16 * Daniel 2:1–23 * Revelation 18:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII:64–69

Readings* Psalm 118 * Daniel 1:1–21 * Matthew 28:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:57–63

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 18 * Jeremiah 38:1–28 * Matthew 27:57–66 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:47–56

Readings* Psalm 22 * Jeremiah 37:1–21 * Matthew 27:33–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:40–46

Readings* Psalm 148 * Jeremiah 33:1–22 * Matthew 27:11–32 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:34–39

Readings* Psalm 54 * Psalm 139 * Jeremiah 31:1–34 * Matthew 27:1–10 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:28–33

Readings* Daniel 12:1–3 * Psalm 16 * Hebrews 10:11–25 * Mark 13:1–13

Readings* Psalm 51 * Jeremiah 30:1–24 * Matthew 26:57–75 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:24–27

Readings Psalm 53 * Psalm 55 * Jeremiah 29:1–19 * Matthew 26:36–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:18–23 CommemorationToday we commemorate Emperor Justinian, Christian Ruler and Confessor of Christ*. Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire from AD 527 to AD 565, Justinian oversaw a renaissance during which an empire long in decline briefly resurged. Under his leadership, the Roman Empire retook North Africa, Italy, and Spain. However, Justinian is primarily remembered for his codification of Roman law (a basis of many systems to this day) and his staunch defense of and support for the Christian faith.

Readings* Psalm 116 * Psalm 50 * Jeremiah 26:1–19 * Matthew 26:20–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:11–17

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 130 * Jeremiah 25:1–18 * Matthew 26:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:9–10

Readings Psalm 143 * Psalm 105 * Jeremiah 23:21–40 * Matthew 25:31–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII:1–8 CommemorationToday we commemorate Martin of Tours, Pastor*. Born into a pagan family in what is today Hungary, Martin grew up in Lombardy, Italy. Converting to Christianity in his youth, Martin initially served in the Roman military, but later left the military to become a monk — referring to himself as “Christ’s soldier”. Martin went on to become Bishop of Tours in Gaul (modern France), and is remembered for his simple lifestyle and his dedication to spreading the Gospel throughout rural Gaul.

Readings* Psalm 24 * Psalm 25 * Jeremiah 23:1–20 * Matthew 25:14–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:96–99

Readings Psalm 147 * Jeremiah 22:1–23 * Matthew 25:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:89–95 CommemorationToday we commemorate the birth of Martin Chemnitz, Pastor and Confessor. Known as “the other Martin”, Martin Chemnitz stands as, aside from Martin Luther, the most important theologian in the history of the Lutheran Church. When disagreements arose in the wake of Luther’s death, it was Chemnitz who became the driving force behind the Formula of Concord, which restored unity. Among his many works, the four-volume Examination of the Council of Trent stands as one of Chemnitz’s greatest works; in the Examen*, Chemnitz subjected the teachings of the Roman church to Scripture and to the Church Fathers — Rome has never responded.

Readings Psalm 143 * Psalm 144 * Jeremiah 20:1–18 * Matthew 24:29–51 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:78–88 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johannes von Staupitz, Luther’s Father Confessor*. Vicar-General of the Augustinian order in Germany, Johannes von Staupitz was born in Saxony. Called in 1503, by Frederick the Wise, to serve as dean of the theological faculty at the newly established University of Wittenberg, von Staupitz would go on to encourage Luther to obtain his doctorate in theology and to appoint Luther to be his successor as professor of Bible at Wittenberg. It was von Staupitz who counseled Luther early on in Luther’s life, when Luther was an Augustinian monk struggling with the idea of God’s grace, to focus not upon himself but upon Christ.

Readings* 1 Kings 17:8–16 * Psalm 146 * Hebrews 9:24–28 * Mark 12:38–44

Readings* Psalm 121 * Psalm 135 * Jeremiah 11:1–23 * Matthew 24:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:68–77

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 8:18—9:12 * Matthew 23:13–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:60–67

Readings* Psalm 38 * Jeremiah 7:1–29 * Matthew 23:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:52–59

Readings* Psalm 110 * Psalm 108 * Jeremiah 5:1–19 * Matthew 22:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:41-51

Readings* Psalm 15 * Psalm 26 * Jeremiah 3:6—4:2 * Matthew 22:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:35–40

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 1:1–19 * Matthew 21:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:30–34 FestivalToday we celebrate the Feast of All Saints’ Day. As Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ, so All Saints’ Day celebrates the resurrection of all those who believe in Him. On this day, we contemplate the scope and scale of Christ’s work — winning for His Kingdom men, women, and children from every tribe and nation. We are, indeed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. It is such resurrection that allows us to confess that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed”. Today we celebrate with the entire Church catholic the coming eternal Kingdom and the consummation of all things.

Readings* Psalm 150 * Psalm 147 * Deuteronomy 34:1–12 * Matthew 21:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIV:27–29 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of All Souls’ Day. All Souls’ Day is the first of two days in the season of Allhallowtide (which began yesterday on Halloween). Where All Saints’ Day is a joyous celebration of the resurrection of all who believe in Christ, All Souls’ Day is a somber contemplation of sin and mortality. The Festival of All Souls’ Day is rightly observed with fasting and prayer, both as individual Christians and as Christian nations.

Readings* Revelation 7:2–17 * Psalm 149 * 1 John 3:1–3 * Matthew 5:1–12

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 32:28–52 * Matthew 20:17–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:22–26 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of Reformation Day and the beginning of the three-day season of Allhallowtide (also known as Halloween). On 31 October 1517, an Augustinian monk nailed ninety-five theses, points for discussion, to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. Dr. Martin Luther did not, at the time, intend a break with the Roman church; rather, he sought only to address a number of pressing matters, among them indulgences. Rome, however, wanted nothing of Luther’s suggested discussion, and would eventually excommunicate him, declare him a heretic, and seek his death. Refusing to compromise on the rediscovered Gospel, Luther would go on to translate the New Testament, publish numerous works, and, above all, spark a Reformation that would see the restoration of Christ’s Church, over and against the heresies of Rome. We celebrate Reformation Day in remembrance of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love, of His work through Martin Luther that rescued the Gospel, enabling us to stand and, with Luther, declare of the Truth:

“Hier stehe ich — ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen.”

Or, in English:

“Here I stand — I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

Readings* Psalm 90 * Deuteronomy 31:30—32:27 * Matthew 20:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:16–21

Readings* Psalm 56 * Psalm 58 * Deuteronomy 31:1–29 * Matthew 19:16–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:9–15

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 132 * Deuteronomy 30:1–20 * Matthew 19:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIV:1–8 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles. Simon and Jude are typically listed tenth and eleventh when the Apostles are named; Simon is called “the Zealot” and Jude is also known as Judas (not Iscariot) or Thaddeus. According to tradition Simon and Jude, together, spread the Gospel to Persia, where they were martyred, hence we commemorate them on the same day.

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 25 * Deuteronomy 29:1–29 * Matthew 18:21–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:60–71

Readings* Psalm 12 * Psalm 9 * Deuteronomy 28:1–68 * Matthew 18:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:50–59

Readings* Revelation 14:6–7 * Psalm 46 * Romans 3:19–28 * John 8:31–36 * Matthew 11:12–19

Readings Psalm 93 * Psalm 87 * Deuteronomy 27:1–26 * Matthew 17:14–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII:40–49 CommemorationToday we commemorate Dorcas (also known as Tabitha), Lydia, and Phoebe, Faithful Women*. These three faithful women exemplified what it means to live a Christian life. Tabitha is remembered for her charitable acts in Joppa, particularly for making clothing for the poor. When Tabitha died suddenly, Peter came from nearby Lydda and raised her from the dead. Lydia was a dealer in purple dye, an expensive and in-demand product in the ancient world; converted to Christianity by Paul’s preaching, Lydia became a patron of the church in Philippi. Phoebe was a servant of the church in Cenchreae who delivered Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, in which Paul praises her support of the Church.

Readings* Psalm 99 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 25:17—26:19 * Matthew 17:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:28–39

Readings* Psalm 107 * Deuteronomy 24:10—25:10 * Matthew 16:13–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:18–27 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr. Also known as “James the Just”, St. James of Jerusalem did not believe in the divinity of Christ until after the Resurrection. After converting, James became a leader in the early Christian community, and, after Peter’s departure from that city, James became bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. According to Josephus, James was stoned to death by the Sadducees in AD 62. James authored the Epistle that bears his name and exhorts Christians to remain in and live out the one true Faith.

Readings* Psalm 62 * Psalm 119:137–144 * Deuteronomy 21:1–23 * Matthew 16:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:7–17

Readings* Psalm 142 * Psalm 91 * Deuteronomy 20:1–20 * Matthew 15:21–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXIII:1–6

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 140 * Deuteronomy 19:1–20 * Matthew 15:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXII:9–17

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 18:1–22 * Matthew 14:22–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXII:1–8

Readings* Ecclesiastes 5:10–20 * Psalm 119:9–16 * Hebrews 4:1–16 * Mark 10:23–31

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 77 * Deuteronomy 17:1–20 * Matthew 14:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:38–44 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist. A traveling companion of St. Paul, St. Luke was a Greek physician, who would author one of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts. It is Luke who gives us details of Christ’s birth and many other events. Taken together, The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts comprise over a third of the New Testament.

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Deuteronomy 15:19—16:22 * Matthew 13:44–58 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:31–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr. Serving as bishop of Antioch in the beginning of the second century AD, Ignatius was a proponent of orthodox Christian doctrine. Arrested under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius, like Paul, was taken in chains to Rome, where he was executed by being thrown to wild beasts in the arena. In his letters, written on the way to Rome, Ignatius warned against false teachings, encouraged his fellow pastors, emphasized Christ’s full humanity and* full deity, defended the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, and stressed the unity of the Church (being the first to use the term “catholic” in describing her). Ignatius left behind a lasting legacy for the Church.

Readings* Psalm 37 * Deuteronomy 14:1—15:15 * Matthew 13:24–43 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:21–30

Readings* Psalm 119:33–40 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 13:1–18 * Matthew 13:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXI:14–20

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 124 * Deuteronomy 12:13–32 * Matthew 12:38–50 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 1–13a

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 11:26—12:12 * Matthew 12:22–37 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 86–92

Readings* Psalm 119:97–104 * Psalm 146 * Deuteronomy 11:1–25 * Matthew 12:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 78–85

Readings* Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 * Psalm 90:12–17 * Hebrews 3:12–19 * Mark 10:17–22

Readings* Psalm 23 * Psalm 114 * Deuteronomy 9:23—10:22 * Matthew 11:20–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVIII, 67–76; XIX, 77 CommemorationToday we commemorate Philip the Deacon. One of the seven men appointed to help the Apostles handle the work of the rapidly expanding Early Church by overseeing the distribution of food to the poor, Philip would go on to work as an evangelist in Samaria. Pursuant to the word of God brought to him by an angel, Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, an official in the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, on the road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza. In preaching the Good News to this man (and baptizing him), Philip became indirectly responsible for transmitting the Gospel to the continent of Africa.

Readings* Psalm 106 * Deuteronomy 9:1–22 * Matthew 11:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 61–65; XVII, 66

Readings* Psalm 103 * Deuteronomy 8:1–20 * Matthew 10:24–42 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 53–60 CommemorationToday we commemorate Abraham. Selected from among the nations and called by God to become the father of a great nation, Abraham left his home and all that he had ever known, at the age of seventy-five, and moved to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and to his descendants (a promise fulfilled under the reign of Israel’s monarchs). At the age of one hundred, Abraham had Isaac with his wife Sarah — a miraculous birth according to the promise from God. Demonstrating his obedience to and trust in God in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (a sacrifice God stopped by speaking from Heaven and providing a ram), Abraham is commended for his trusting faith in God and His promises. Through the Seed of Abraham, that is Jesus Christ, all nations have been blessed.

Readings* Psalm 126 * Psalm 141 * Deuteronomy 7:1–19 * Matthew 10:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 45–52

Readings* Psalm 121 * Psalm 131 * Deuteronomy 6:10–25 * Matthew 9:18–38 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 31-44

Readings* Psalm 91 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 5:22—6:9 * Matthew 9:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 22–30

Readings* Psalm 86 * Deuteronomy 5:1–21 * Matthew 8:18–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 13–21

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 4:21–40 * Matthew 8:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 1–12

Readings* Psalm 119:9–16 * Psalm 125 * Deuteronomy 4:1–20 * Matthew 7:13–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIV, 24–28

Readings* Psalm 3 * Psalm 2 * Deuteronomy 3:1–29 * Matthew 7:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIII, 14–23

Readings* Psalm 130 * Psalm 51 * Deuteronomy 2:16–37 * Matthew 6:16–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIII, 1–13

Readings* Psalm 119:161–168 * Psalm 63 * Deuteronomy 1:37—2:15 * Matthew 6:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 77–81

Readings Psalm 19 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 1:19–36 * Matthew 5:21–48 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 67–76 FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels*. One of the archangels, tradition names Michael as patron and protector of the Church and of Christians. Mentioned in the Biblical books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, Michael leads the hosts of Heaven into battle against Satan and his demons — a victory assured by the blood of Christ, and announced in Revelation 12:10 by a voice from Heaven:

“Now the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down[.]”

Readings* Psalm 145 * Deuteronomy 1:1–18 * Matthew 5:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 58–66

Readings* Psalm 91 * Malachi 3:6—4:6 * Matthew 4:12–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 51–57

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 32 * Malachi 2:1—3:5 * Matthew 4:1–11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 43–50

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Malachi 1:1–14 * Matthew 3:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 34–42

Readings* Psalm 123 * Psalm 99 * Nehemiah 9:22–38 * 1 Timothy 6:3–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 25–33

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Nehemiah 9:1–21 * 1 Timothy 5:17—6:2 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 16–24

Readings* Psalm 133 * Psalm 119:97–104 * Nehemiah 7:1–4; 8:1–18 * 1 Timothy 5:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIb, 1–15 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jonah. Called by God to preach in Nineveh, capital of Assyria, Jonah initially refused his call and attempted to flee. Whereas all are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale (or large fish), the Book of Jonah focuses more on God’s mercy, patience, and compassion. Christ Himself uses the story of Jonah and the whale in describing His own death, burial, and resurrection.

Readings* Psalm 55 * Psalm 119:89–96 * Nehemiah 5:1–16; 6:1–16 * 1 Timothy 4:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 83–97 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. An author of one of the four Gospels, Matthew was called to follow Jesus, and, in doing so, left behind a lucrative occupation as tax collector. Church tradition is uncertain as to whether Matthew died a martyr’s death, and, if so, where.

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 54 * Nehemiah 4:7–23 * 1 Timothy 3:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 68–82

Readings* Jeremiah 11:18–20 * Psalm 54 * James 3:13—4:10 * Mark 9:30–37

Readings* Psalm 136 * Nehemiah 2:11–20; 4:1–6 * 1 Timothy 2:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 59–67

Readings* Psalm 118 * Nehemiah 1:1—2:10 * 1 Timothy 1:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 46–58

Readings* Psalm 130 * Psalm 143 * 2 Chronicles 36:1–23 * Colossians 4:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 28–45

Readings Psalm 108 * 2 Chronicles 35:1–25 * Colossians 3:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 11–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr*. Living in the third century AD, Cyprian served as bishop of Carthage. Originally fleeing Carthage under the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian returned and set rules for those who had fallen away from the faith under persecution to return to the Church. Under later persecution by Roman Emperor Valerian, Cyprian initially hid himself, but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded in AD 258.

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 4 * 2 Chronicles 34:1–33 * Colossians 2:8–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIa, 1–10

Readings* Psalm 38 * 2 Chronicles 33:1–25 * Colossians 1:24—2:7 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XI, 60–67 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of Holy Cross Day.

Readings* Isaiah 50:4–10 * Psalm 116:1–9 * James 3:1–12 * Mark 9:14–29

Readings* Psalm 27 * Psalm 31 * 2 Chronicles 32:1–22 * Colossians 1:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IX–XI

Readings* Psalm 94 * 2 Chronicles 31:1–21 * Philippians 4:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 36–50

Readings* Psalm 44 * Psalm 100 * 2 Chronicles 29:1–24 * Philippians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 25–35

Readings* Psalm 58 * Psalm 53 * 2 Kings 9:1—10:29 * Philippians 2:12–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 16–24

Readings* Psalm 61 * Psalm 59 * 2 Kings 6:1–23 * Philippians 1:21—2:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 1–15

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 69 * 2 Kings 5:9–27 * Philippians 1:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 269–279

Readings* Psalm 131 * Psalm 77 * 2 Kings 4:38—5:8 * Ephesians 6:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 262–268

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 128 * 2 Kings 4:8–37 * Ephesians 5:15–33 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 257–261

Readings* Isaiah 35:4–7a * Psalm 146 * James 2:1–10, 14–18 * Mark 7:24–37

Readings* Psalm 56 * 2 Kings 2:19–25; 4:1–7 * Ephesians 4:25—5:14 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 249–256 CommemorationToday we commemorate Zacharias and Elizabeth. Remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety, Zacharias and Elizabeth became the parents of John the Baptist despite their old age. Initially disbelieving the promise, Zacharias was struck mute by the angel who announced that Zacharias and Elizabeth would have a son; upon confirming his wife’s chosen name for their son, John, Zacharias was restored to his ability to speak. Upon regaining his speech, Zacharias sang the Benedictus, a summary of the promises in the Old Testament and a prophecy of John the Baptist’s ministry as a forerunner of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 90 * Psalm 107 * 2 Kings 2:2–18 * Ephesians 4:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 241–248 CommemorationToday we commemorate Moses. Greatest amongst the Old Testament prophets, Moses spoke with God ‘face to face’. Moses’ life was divided into three parts of forty years each: First, he lived in Egypt in the royal court, having been rescued by the daughter of pharaoh (and the intervention of God); second, he lived as a shepherd in the land of Midian after fleeing Egypt; and, third, he led Israel during the wandering in the desert. Prohibited from entering the Promised Land due to disobedience at Meribah, Moses was nevertheless allowed to view the land from Mount Nebo, where he then died and was buried (in an unknown location) by God.

Readings Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 108 * 1 Kings 19:1–21 * Ephesians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 235–240 CommemorationToday we commemorate Gregory the Great, Pastor*. Gregory served both as mayor and, later, as bishop of Rome. Before entering full-time service in the Church, Gregory helped to strengthen a Rome weakened by enemy invasions and plague, and sold his considerable possessions and donated the proceeds to help the poor. As bishop of Rome, Gregory contributed to the Church by establishing a Church Year calendar, which some church bodies still use to this day, and overseeing musical and liturgical development, advancing missionary work in Northern Europe, and composing a book on pastoral care that would long serve as a standard in the Church.

Readings* Psalm 135 * 1 Kings 18:20–40 * Ephesians 2:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 223–234 CommemorationToday we commemorate Hannah. The favored wife of her husband, Elkanah, Hannah suffered through years of barrenness, but never gave up hope in the Lord. For her devotion, she was repaid with the birth of a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the service of the Lord. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, which would come centuries later.

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 8 * 1 Kings 18:1–19 * Ephesians 1:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V 213–222 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joshua, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. Most noted for his succession of Moses as Israel’s commander-in-chief, Joshua led a life of devotion to and faith in God. From defeating the Amalekites and being in charge of the tent of meeting to scouting the land of Canaan and leading Israel across the Jordan, Joshua showed steadfast faith in God and His promises. Joshua is especially noted for his final address, in which he, like Moses before him, presented the Israelites with the path of life and the path of death, the path of obedience to God and the path of rebellion, and in which he spoke his most famous words: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 70 * 1 Kings 16:29—17:24 * 2 Corinthians 9:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 205–212

Readings* Psalm 29 * Psalm 75 * 1 Kings 12:20—13:34 * 2 Corinthians 8:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 195–204

Readings* Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9 * Psalm 119:129–136 * Ephesians 6:10–20 * Mark 7:14–23

Readings* Psalm 17 * 1 Kings 11:42—12:19 * 2 Corinthians 7:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 192–194 FestivalToday we observe the Festival of The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. In contrast to the Festival of The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, observed on the 24th of June, this festival commemorates John the Baptist’s beheading under Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist announced the imminent coming of Christ, and fulfilled the Old Testament prophesy regarding the return of ‘Elijah’ before the Day of the Lord. Although John the Baptist’s end may seem, to this world, a foolish and ignominious one, his martyrdom was, in truth, a profound and noble participation in the Cross of Christ.

Readings Psalm 48 * 1 Kings 11:1–26 * 2 Corinthians 6:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 183–191 CommemorationToday we commemorate Augustine of Hippo, Pastor and Theologian*. Numbered amongst the greatest of the Latin Church Fathers, Augustine’s early life was marked by participation in the moral laxity of his times. Converted to Christianity, in no small part due to the devotion of his mother and the preaching of Ambrose, bishop of Milan, Augustine became a staunch defender of the orthodox Christian faith. Augustine’s writings are still widely read and treasured by the Church.

Readings Psalm 72 * 1 Kings 9:1–9, 10:1–13 * 2 Corinthians 5:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 177–182 CommemorationToday we commemorate Monica, Mother of Augustine*. Despite being widowed at a young age, Monica devoted herself to the welfare, spiritual and physical, of her children. Monica would follow her son, Augustine, to Rome and then to Milan, where she would finally see the fruit of her efforts (and the Holy Spirit’s work) as Augustine converted to Christianity.

Readings* Psalm 36 * 1 Kings 8:22–63 * 2 Corinthians 4:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 170–176

Readings* Psalm 32 * 1 Kings 7:51—8:21 * 2 Corinthians 3:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 167–169

Readings* Psalm 27 * 1 Kings 5:1–18 * 2 Corinthians 1:23—2:17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 160–166 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Bartholomew, Apostle. Called by Christ in Galilee (in the town of Cana, where Christ performed His first miracle), Bartholomew would become one of the first of Jesus’ twelve disciples. According to Church tradition, Bartholomew brought the Gospel to Armenia, where he was martyred.

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 49 * 1 Kings 3:1–15 * 2 Corinthians 1:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 153–159

Readings* Isaiah 29:11–19 * Psalm 14 * Ephesians 5:22–33 * Mark 7:1–13

Readings* Psalm 97 * 1 Kings 2:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 148–152

Readings* Psalm 139 * 1 Kings 1:1–35 * 1 Corinthians 12:14–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 144–147

Readings* Psalm 51 * 2 Samuel 12:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 12:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 140–143 CommemorationToday we commemorate Samuel. Last among the judges and first among the post-Moses prophets, Samuel lived a life of devotion to God. Samuel, at God’s command, would anoint both Israel’s first king — Saul — and her second — David.

Readings Psalm 12 * Psalm 22 * 2 Samuel 11:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 137–139 CommemorationToday we commemorate Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymnwriter and Theologian*. Born into wealth, Bernard abandoned a life of affluence and entered a monastery at twenty-two. Eventually he was sent to start a new monastery, which monastery would go on to found many daughter houses, but he is best known for his preaching and hymn-writing.

Readings* Psalm 107 * Psalm 106 * 2 Samuel 7:18–29 * 1 Corinthians 10:23—11:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 133–136

Readings Psalm 24 * 2 Samuel 7:1–17 * 1 Corinthians 9:24—10:22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 124–132 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johann Gerhard, Theologian. Born in Quedlinburg, Germany, in 1582, Gerhard would go on to become one of the most influential theologians of the Christian faith. A prolific author, Gerhard’s Loci Theologici* and many other writings, including sermons, are still widely published and read today.

Readings* Psalm 11 * Psalm 84 * 2 Samuel 6:1–19 * 1 Corinthians 9:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 119–123 CommemorationToday we commemorate Isaac. Born to Abraham and Sarah when they were, respectively, one hundred years old and ninety-one years old, Isaac (whose name means ‘laughter’), would go on to father Jacob (who would become Israel) and Esau. Taken to Mount Moriah by his father to be sacrificed at the command of God, Isaac was spared at the last moment by the provision of a ram caught in a thicket — this episode pointed forward to the substitutionary sacrifice and atonement of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 132 * 2 Samuel 5:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 112–118 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Mentioned throughout the Gospels, Mary was present at many of the major events in her Son’s life. Mary is especially remembered for her unconditional obedience to the will of God, her trust in her Jesus (even when she did not understand all of His words), and, above all, for being honored as the mother of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 33 * 2 Samuel 1:1–27 * 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 104–111

Readings* Psalm 68 * 1 Samuel 31:1–13 * 1 Corinthians 7:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 97–103

Readings* Psalm 99 * 1 Samuel 28:3–25 * 1 Corinthians 6:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 89–96

Readings* Psalm 51 * 1 Samuel 26:1–25 * 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 82–88

Readings* Psalm 14 * Psalm 53 * 1 Samuel 25:23–44 * 1 Corinthians 4:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 74–81 CommemorationToday we commemorate Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. Most likely born in Spain, Lawrence eventually made his way to Rome and became chief of the seven deacons of the Church. Having control over Church property and finances, Lawrence was called before the Roman emperor, who believed the Church possessed valuable items that could be confiscated, and commanded to produce the “treasures of the Church”. In response, Lawrence brought before the emperor the poor who had benefited from Christian charity. The emperor jailed Lawerence and eventually ordered him executed — by gridiron.

Readings* Psalm 94 * 1 Samuel 25:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 3:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 68–73

Readings* Psalm 62 * 1 Samuel 24:1–22 * 1 Corinthians 1:26—2:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 62–67

Readings* Psalm 144 * 1 Samuel 20:24–42 * 1 Corinthians 1:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 58–61

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 20:1–23 * Acts 28:16–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 51–57

Readings* Psalm 21 * 1 Samuel 19:1–24 * Acts 28:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V 45–50

Readings* Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 18:10–30 * Acts 27:27–44 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 38–44

Readings* Psalm 68 * 1 Samuel 17:48—18:9 * Acts 27:9–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 26–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joanna, Mary, and Salome, the three faithful women who visited Christ’s tomb early on the morning of the first Easter. These women bore myrrh and others items to dress the body of Christ, but instead found the tomb empty, Christ having risen. These women serve as examples of humble service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 98 * 1 Samuel 17:20–47 * Acts 26:24—27:8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 15–25

Readings* Psalm 70 * Psalm 75 * 1 Samuel 17:1–19 * Acts 26:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 9–14

Readings* Psalm 80 * 1 Samuel 16:1–23 * Acts 25:13–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 1–8 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joseph of Arimathea. A wealthy man from the village of Arimathea, Joseph owned an unused tomb in the vicinity of Golgotha, where Christ was crucified. A devout man, and member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph was eagerly awaiting the Kingdom of God. In contrast to many who fled for fear of the Jews, Joseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Christ, and, together with Nicodemus, placed the body in the tomb.

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 130 * 1 Samuel 15:10–35 * Acts 24:24—25:12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 115–121 CommemorationToday we commemorate Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Born in England in the late 1400s, Robert Barnes studied theology and eventually became a prior of the Augustinian monastery at Cambridge. Exiled to Germany, partly for distributing Bibles in English and for having converted to Lutheranism, Dr. Barnes would meet Martin Luther in Wittenberg, and the two would become friends. Upon his return to England, Dr. Barnes would share his Lutheran faith with King Henry VIII, who was initially receptive. However, changing political and ecclesiastical winds in England would eventually spell Dr. Barnes’ downfall. On 30 July 1540, Robert Barnes was burned at the stake on a charge of heresy, becoming one of the first Lutheran martyrs. Luther would later publish Barnes’ confession of faith, noting of Barnes that he was “[a] good, pious dinner guest and houseguest … [a] holy martyr, St. Robert Barnes.”

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 13 * 1 Samuel 14:47—15:9 * Acts 24:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 107–114 CommemorationToday we commemorate Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany, whose faith is recorded in the Gospels. When Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead and spoke to Martha, Lazarus’s sister: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Later, shortly before Jesus was crucified, Mary anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair — unknowingly readying Christ for burial.

Readings* Psalm 59 * Psalm 57 * 1 Samuel 13:1–18 * Acts 23:12–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 98–106 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johann Sebastian Bach, Kantor. Born in 1685, Bach would become one of history’s most prolific, and gifted, composers. Not only did Bach compose, but he also performed, conducted, and taught music. For the last twenty-seven years of his life, Bach was responsible for the music in the four Lutheran churches in Leipzig, where he died in 1750. A devout and devoted Lutheran, Bach bequeathed to the Church a wealth of music, which he wrote to the glory of God and for the edification of all Christians.

Readings* Psalm 119:17–24 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 12:1–25 * Acts 22:30—23:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 88–97

Readings* Psalm 69 * Psalm 70 * 1 Samuel 10:1–27 * Acts 22:17–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 86–87

Readings Psalm 63 * Psalm 149 * 1 Samuel 9:1–27 * Acts 21:37—22:16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 75–85 CommemorationToday we celebrate the Festival of St. James the Elder, Apostle*. St. James, and his brother St. John, sons of Zebedee, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Together with St. Peter and his brother St. Andrew, James and John were called to be disciples of Christ. Along with Peter and John, James formed a sort of ‘inner circle’ amongst the Twelve. In Acts, it is recorded that James was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I, thus making James the first among the Twelve to die a martyr.

Readings* Psalm 24 * 1 Samuel 8:1–22 * Acts 21:15–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 61–74

Readings* Psalm 119:113–120 * Psalm 141 * 1 Samuel 6:19—7:17 * Acts 19:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 48–60

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 56 * 1 Samuel 5:1—6:16 * Acts 18:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 36–47 CommemorationToday we commemorate St. Mary Magdalene. Present at the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene had become a follower of Jesus when He cast out seven demons from her. She was also the first to see Jesus alive again after the crucifixion. The Church has long identified her with the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil.

Readings* Psalm 106 * 1 Samuel 4:1–22 * Acts 16:23–40 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 22–35

Readings* Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 115 * 1 Samuel 3:1–21 * Acts 16:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 12–21 CommemorationToday we commemorate Elijah. Prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, largely during the reign of Ahab, Elijah condemned the Baal worship that had been promoted by Ahab’s wife, Jezebel. Through Elijah, God performed many miracles, demonstrating both Elijah’s status as a true prophet and the truth of Elijah’s message condemning Israel’s idolatry. At the end of his earthly life, Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a fiery chariot.

Readings* Psalm 82 * Psalm 136 * 1 Samuel 2:18–36 * Acts 15:22–41 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, III & IV, 1–11

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 131 * 1 Samuel 1:21—2:17 * Galatians 6:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 35–51

Readings* Psalm 92 * 1 Samuel 1:1–20 * Galatians 5:1–26 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 23–34

Readings* Psalm 21 * Judges 16:4–30 * Galatians 4:12–31 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 5–22 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ruth. A native of Moab, and therefore not a natural descendant of Abraham, Ruth is the subject of the biblical book that bears her name and a study in God’s grace. During a famine in Israel, Elimelech and Naomi of Bethlehem moved to Moab with their two sons; the sons married Moabite women and then a decade or so later died, leaving the women as widows. Naomi told her daughters-in-law to return to their people, but Ruth refused, stating: “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” After arriving in Bethlehem, Boaz, a relative of Naomi, agreed to marry Ruth and become her ‘redeemer’. Ruth gave birth to Obed, grandfather of Kind David, making Ruth great-grandmother to one of OT Israel’s most famous kings and an ancestress of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 33 * Psalm 27 * Judges 15:1—16:3 * Galatians 3:23—4:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, I & II, 1–4

Readings* Psalm 119:1–8 * Psalm 1 * Judges 14:1–20 * Galatians 3:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Introduction

Readings* Psalm 71 * Judges 13:1–25 * Galatians 2:1–21 * Augsburg Confession, Conclusion

Readings* Psalm 118 * Psalm 108 * Judges 7:1–23 * Galatians 1:1–24 * Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 61–78

Readings* Psalm 5 * Judges 6:25–40 * Acts 15:6–21 * Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 43–60

Readings* Psalm 125 * Psalm 7 * Judges 6:1–24 * Acts 14:19—15:5 * Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 30–42

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 86 * Judges 4:1–24 * Acts 14:1–18 * Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 19–29

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 139 * Judges 3:7–31 * Acts 13:42–52 * Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 1–18

Readings* Psalm 2 * Psalm 78 * Judges 2:6–23 * Acts 13:13–41 * Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 44–62

Readings* Psalm 100 * Psalm 5 * Joshua 24:1–31 * Acts 13:1–12 * Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 24–43 CommemorationToday we commemorate Isaiah. Isaiah, son of Amoz, numbers amongst the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, and is quoted more than any other in the New Testament. A contemporary of Amos, Hosea, and Micah, Isaiah prophesied to the people of Judah between about 740 and 700 BC. No Old Testament prophet more clearly prophesied about the coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom. In the words of John, Isaiah ‘saw Jesus’ glory and spoke of Him’.

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 149 * Joshua 23:1–16 * Acts 12:1–25 * Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 1–23

Readings* Psalm 50 * Psalm 113 * Joshua 10:1–25 * Acts 11:19–30 * Augsburg Confession, XXVI, 21–45

Readings* Psalm 84 * Psalm 45 * Joshua 8:1–28 * Acts 11:1–18 * Augsburg Confession, XXVI, 1–20

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 60 * Joshua 7:1–26 * Acts 10:34–48 * Augsburg Confession, XXV

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 75 * Joshua 6:6–27 * Acts 10:18–33 * Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 21–41

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 144 * Joshua 5:1—6:5 * Acts 10:1–17 * Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 1–20

Readings* Psalm 103 * Joshua 4:1–24 * Acts 9:23–43 * Augsburg Confession, XXIII CommemorationToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. Early Christian tradition holds that Ss. Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day in Rome under the persecution of Nero. In addition to their joint commemoration on June 29th (a festival the Church has observed since the third century or so), Ss. Peter and Paul are also commemorated separately in the calendar — St. Peter on the 18th of January for his confession of Christ and Paul on the 25th of January for his conversion. Both Peter and Paul are held up in Scripture as examples of men who, although flawed, became staunch defenders of and evangelists for the faith.

Readings Psalm 89 * Psalm 97 * Joshua 3:1–17 * Acts 9:1–22 * Augsburg Confession, XXII CommemorationToday we commemorate Irenaeus of Lyons, Pastor*. After studying in Rome, Irenaeus became a pastor in Lyons, France; during an absence from Lyons, a persecution arose against Christians and martyred Irenaeus’ bishop. Upon returning to Lyons, Irenaeus himself became bishop. As a writer, Irenaeus defended the Christian faith, and of particular note is a work of his against heresies — particularly Gnosticism.

Readings Psalm 51 * Joshua 2:1–24 * Acts 8:26–40 * Augsburg Confession, XXI CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyril of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor*. Cyril became Archbishop of Alexandria in AD 412. A true defender of the faith and orthodoxy, Cyril produced a number of writings dealing with various theological matters. Cyril’s Christology had a significant impact on later theologians. Additionally, Cyril defended the truth that it is proper to call Mary the “Mother of God” or Theotokos, the ‘God-bearer’.

Readings* Psalm 31 * Joshua 1:1–18 * Acts 8:1–25 * Augsburg Confession, XX, 19–40 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jeremiah. Prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah predicted, witnessed, and lived through the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem. Through a lifetime of prophetic work, Jeremiah communicated God’s anger toward His rebellious people and often suffered at the hands of his countrymen. Although his death is unrecorded, it is believed that Jeremiah died in Egypt, after having been forcibly transported there.

Readings* Psalm 119:41–48 * Psalm 73 * Proverbs 31:10–31 * John 21:1–25 * Augsburg Confession, XX, 1–18 CommemorationToday we commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. Presented to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at Augsburg, Germany, on 25 June 1530, the Augsburg Confession presents the theology of the Lutheran Church and of the Reformation. At the heart of the Confession is justification by grace alone through faith alone for the sake of Christ alone — presented primarily in Article IV, often called the ‘article on which the Church stands or falls’. Through the Augsburg Confession, the Lutheran Reformers began the arduous task of removing the corruption that had crept into the Church over centuries and restoring to its rightful place the true core of Christianity: Justificatio Sola Gratia Sola Fide Solo Christo — justification by grace alone through faith alone by and through Christ alone.

Readings* Psalm 85 * Proverbs 30:1–33 * John 20:19–31 * Augsburg Confession, XVII–XIX FeastToday we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The birth of St. John the Baptist was announced, by an angel, to his father, Zechariah. Initially unbelieving, Zechariah was struck mute until his son was born, but then proclaimed a hymn of praise, the Benedictus — which traditionally serves as the Gospel Canticle in the Church’s Service of Morning Prayer. John’s life is known from all four of the Gospels. Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness near the Jordan River, John prepared the way for the Messiah — Christ. Upon seeing Christ, John announced to the crowds: “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world!” Martyred by the Herodians, whose immoral lifestyle he denounced, John is remembered for his preaching which pointed to the coming Messiah, the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.

Readings* Psalm 22 * Proverbs 25:1–22 * John 19:23–42 * Augsburg Confession, XII–XIII

Readings* Psalm 139 * Psalm 16 * Proverbs 27:1–24 * John 20:1–18 * Augsburg Confession, XIV–XVI

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 21 * Proverbs 24:1–22 * John 19:1–22 * Augsburg Confession, IX–XI

Readings* Psalm 45 * Proverbs 22:22—23:12 * John 18:15–40 * Augsburg Confession, VII–VIII

Readings* Psalm 31 * Psalm 102 * Proverbs 22:1–21 * John 18:1–14 * Augsburg Confession, V–VI

Readings* Psalm 86 * Proverbs 20:1–25 * John 17:1–26 * Augsburg Confession, III–IV

Readings* Psalm 107 * Proverbs 17:1–28 * John 16:17–33 * Augsburg Confession, I–II

Readings* Psalm 147 * Proverbs 16:1–24 * John 16:1–16 * Augsburg Confession, Preface, 12–24

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 10 * Proverbs 15:1–29 * John 15:12–27 * Augsburg Confession, Preface, 1–11

Readings* Psalm 66 * Proverbs 14:1–27 * John 15:1–11 * Small Catechism, Table of Duties CommemorationToday we commemorate Elisha. Son of Shaphat from the tribe of Issachar, Elisha was the prophet of God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel for decades. A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha, unlike his predecessor and mentor, Elijah, played an active role in political affairs. In the course of his ministry, Elisha performed many miracles, confirming his status as a prophet sent by God.

Readings* Psalm 68 * Psalm 85 * Proverbs 13:1–25 * John 14:18–31 * Small Catechism, Table of Duties

Readings* Psalm 37 * Psalm 101 * Proverbs 10:1–23 * John 14:1–17 * Small Catechism, Morning & Evening Prayer and Asking a Blessing & Returning Thanks CommemorationToday we commemorate the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Convoked in AD 325 by Roman Emperor Constantine, the Council of Nicaea ruled against the Arians, who taught that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God, but was a created being. The chief opponents of the Arians were Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria, and Athanasius, deacon to Alexander. It was at this council that an early version of the Nicene Creed was adopted — the full version being adopted in its entirety at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.

Readings* Psalm 34 * Psalm 109 * Proverbs 9:1–18 * John 13:21–38 * Small Catechism, VI FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. Barnabas, Apostle. A Levite from Cyprus, Barnabas sold some land that he owned and donated the proceeds to the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Sent to oversee the Church in Antioch, Barnabas retrieved Paul from Tarsus and accompanied him back to Antioch, and from there to Paul’s first missionary journey. Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred in Cyprus, by being stoned.

Readings* Psalm 116 * Psalm 132 * Proverbs 8:22–36 * John 13:1–20 * Small Catechism, V

Readings* Psalm 77 * Psalm 106 * Proverbs 8:1–21 * John 12:36b–50 * Small Catechism, IV

Readings* Psalm 36 * Psalm 44 * Proverbs 5:1–23 * John 12:20–36a * Small Catechism, III

Readings* Psalm 119:9–16 * Psalm 118 * Proverbs 4:1–27 * John 12:1–19 * II of the Small Catechism, II

Readings* Psalm 119:169–176 * Psalm 89 * Proverbs 3:5–24 * John 11:38–57 * Small Catechism, I

Readings Psalm 72 * Psalm 63 * Proverbs 1:8–33 * John 11:17–37 * Small Catechism, Preface, 19–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Boniface of Mainz, Missionary to the Germans*. Born in England, educated as a monk, and ordained a presbyter, Boniface decided to become a missionary. Granted a papal commission in AD 719, Boniface set to work planting, organizing, and reforming churches in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. In AD 743, now as an archbishop, Boniface was assigned to the See of Mainz. A little over a decade later, in AD 754, Boniface was martyred by a group of pagans while working in (what would become) the Netherlands. Boniface is remembered for his faith and his tireless work in spreading the Word to Germanic Europe.

Readings* Psalm 61 * Psalm 27 * Ecclesiastes 12:1–14 * John 11:1–16 * Small Catechism, Preface, 9–18

Readings* Psalm 77 * Psalm 82 * Ecclesiastes 11:1–10 * John 10:22–42 * Small Catechism, Preface, 1–8

Readings* Psalm 9 * Psalm 23 * Ecclesiastes 10:1–20 * John 10:1–21 * the Doctors and Preachers Who Subscribed to the Augsburg Confession and Apology

Readings Psalm 97 * Psalm 115 * Ecclesiastes 9:1–17 * John 9:24–41 * Power and Primacy of the Pope, 68–82 CommemorationToday we commemorate Justin, Martyr*. Raised in a pagan family, Justin was a convert to Christianity who would become a Christian teacher in Ephesus and Rome. Arrested due to his refusal to make pagan sacrifices, Justin was tried and executed along with six other Christians. The record of the trial proceedings before Rusticius, a Roman prelate, documents Justin’s confession of faith, and served as a source of great encouragement for other believers.

Readings* Deuteronomy 5:12–15 * Psalm 81:1–10 * 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 * Mark 2:23—3:6

Readings* Psalm 146 * Ecclesiastes 8:1–17 * John 9:1–23 * Power and Primacy of the Pope, 52–67

Readings* Psalm 43 * Psalm 111 * Ecclesiastes 7:11–29 * John 8:39–59 * Power and Primacy of the Pope, 39–51

Readings* Psalm 104 * Ecclesiastes 6:1—7:10 * John 8:21–38 * Power and Primacy of the Pope, 25–38

Readings* Psalm 32 * Ecclesiastes 5:1–20 * John 8:1–20 * Power and Primacy of the Pope, 1–24

Readings* Psalm 86 * Song of Solomon 1:1—2:7 * John 5:1–18 * Preface to the Book of Concord, 1–4

Readings* Psalm 46 * Numbers 35:9–30 * Luke 24:28–53 * the Three Ecumenical Creeds

Readings* Psalm 97 * Psalm 85 * Numbers 32:1–6, 16–27 * Luke 24:1–27 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XII, 39–40

Readings* Psalm 132 * Psalm 38 * Numbers 27:12–23 * Luke 23:26–56 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XII, 28–38

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 37 * Numbers 24:1–25 * Luke 23:1–25 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XII, 1–27

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 102 * Numbers 23:4–28 * Luke 22:47–71 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 94–96

Readings* Psalm 94 * Psalm 149 * Numbers 22:21—23:3 * Luke 22:24–46 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 87–93

Readings* Psalm 128 * Psalm 72 * Numbers 22:1–20 * Luke 22:1–23 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 76–86

Readings* Psalm 135 * Psalm 58 * Numbers 21:10–35 * Luke 21:20–38 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 65–75

Readings* Ezekiel 37:1–14 * Psalm 139:1–16 * Acts 2:1–21 * John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15

Readings* Psalm 119:105–112 * Psalm 82 * Isaiah 8:9—9:7 * 1 Peter 4:1–19 * Large Catechism, I, 1–12

Readings* Psalm 119:105–112 * Psalm 82 * Isaiah 8:9—9:7 * 1 Peter 4:1–19 * Large Catechism, I, 1–12

Readings* Psalm 123 * Psalm 7 * Isaiah 6:1—7:9 * 1 Peter 2:13–25 * Large Catechism, Short Preface, 1–13 FeastToday we celebrate the feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. Brother of Simon Peter, St. Andrew was born in the village of Bethsaida. Originally a follower of St. John the Baptist, Andrew was called and became the first disciple of Christ. Church tradition holds that Andrew was martyred on an X-shaped cross. It is St. Andrew’s Day that determines the beginning of the Western Church Year, as the First Sunday in Advent is always the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew’s Day.

Readings* Psalm 118 * Isaiah 5:1–25 * 1 Peter 2:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 14–20 CommemorationToday we commemorate Noah. Noah, son of Lamech, was instructed by God to build an ark. Faithful and obedient to God, Noah constructed the Ark that would carry him and his wife and his sons and their wives — the only eight people to survive the Flood. After the floodwaters subsided, Noah built an altar and gave thanks to God for His mercy in preserving the human race through Noah and his family. In promising never again to destroy all life from the Earth, God made the rainbow a sign of His covenant with man and all life. Whenever we see a rainbow, we should think of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love. We commemorate Noah for his faith and for his obedience to the word of God — for believing that God will do what He says He will do.

Readings* Psalm 102 * Psalm 85 * Isaiah 2:1–22 * 1 Peter 1:13–25 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 7–13

Readings* Psalm 66 * Isaiah 1:1–28 * 1 Peter 1:1–12 * Large Catechism, Longer Preface, 1–6

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 108 * Daniel 6:1–28 * Revelation 22:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 20–27

Readings* Psalm 48 * Daniel 5:1–30 * Revelation 21:9–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 15-19

Readings* Psalm 41 * Daniel 4:1–37 * Revelation 21:1–8 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 11–14

Readings* Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24 * Psalm 95:1–7a * 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 * Matthew 25:31–46

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Daniel 3:1–30 * Revelation 20:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 6–10 CommemorationToday we commemorate Clement of Rome, Pastor*. An early father of the Church, Clement lived in the first century AD and helped to establish the pattern of apostolic authority that governed the Early Church. In a letter to the Christians in Corinth, Clement emphasized that Christ must remain at the center of our faith:

“Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to His Father, since it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to the whole world.”

Clement helped to lay the foundation upon which the Western Church would be built. He is commemorated for his steadfast love and perseverance in the faith. Clement of Rome was martyred in approximately AD 100 by drowning.

Readings* Deuteronomy 8:1–10 * Psalm 67 * Philippians 4:6–20 * 1 Timothy 2:1–4 * Luke 17:11–19

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 92 * Daniel 2:24–49 * Revelation 19:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 1–5

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 16 * Daniel 2:1–23 * Revelation 18:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 64–69

Readings* Psalm 118 * Daniel 1:1–21 * Matthew 28:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 57–63

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 18 * Jeremiah 38:1–28 * Matthew 27:57–66 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 47–56

Readings* Psalm 22 * Jeremiah 37:1–21 * Matthew 27:33–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 40–46

Readings* Psalm 148 * Jeremiah 33:1–22 * Matthew 27:11–32 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 34–39

Readings* Zephaniah 1:7–16 * Psalm 90:1–12 * 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 * Matthew 25:14-30

Readings* Psalm 54 * Psalm 139 * Jeremiah 31:1–34 * Matthew 27:1–10 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 28–33

Readings* Psalm 51 * Jeremiah 30:1–24 * Matthew 26:57–75 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 24–27

Readings* Psalm 53 * Psalm 55 * Jeremiah 29:1–19 * Matthew 26:36–56 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 18–23

Readings* Psalm 116 * Psalm 50 * Jeremiah 26:1–19 * Matthew 26:20–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 11–17

Amos 5:18–24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Matthew 25:1–13 I assure you, the balance of the homily will be in English, but:

Mit ihrem heil’gen Wetterschlage,
Mit Unerbittlichkeit vollbringt
Die Noth an Einem großen Tage,
Was kaum Jahrhunderten gelingt;
Und wenn in ihren Ungewittern
Selbst ein Elysium vergeht,
Und Welten ihrem Donner zittern —
Was groß und göttlich ist, besteht. —

If you will permit me, an English approximation, also in rhyme:

Necessity, with bolt and thunder,
inescapably she weaves,
what scarcely centuries may ponder,
one great day she achieves.
And when she with tempest razes,
e’en an Elysium secure,
And with her storms worlds unsettles,
— the great and godly does endure.

Surely the day of the Lord swiftly approaches, and, just as surely will all flesh stand before the Lord and give account. As the plans of princes perish with them, so all the plans — whether they be the construction of a utopia or the construction of a new hell — of all mankind pass away with the passing of this creation on that ultimate Day of the Lord. And yet there is not one day of the Lord. Yes, if we capitalize “Day” or emphasize the definite article, then, certainly there is but one Day of the Lord, for that is the Last Day (of this creation) — the great and terrible Day of Lord, the Last Judgement —, but there are many (lowercase, indefinite) days of the Lord, for every day in which the Lord visits judgement upon a man, a family, a tribe, a nation, a race, is, indeed, a day of the Lord.

I may not live to see the Day of the Lord; you may not live to see the Day of the Lord; no man knows the day or the hour, and, personally, I refuse to speculate on such things (and I suggest you also refrain from such speculation). It hardly matters anyway — whether we are raised from the dust or merely changed on that day, we will certainly stand before the Judge and Lord of all things, and we are all always only a moment away from that day. I could drop dead here and now (although, as I am writing and recording this homily, and not delivering it live, it would be fairly unlikely you would read or hear any of this if I should die before I finish writing, recording, et cetera). You are neither more nor less mortal than I. We are all but a moment — but a heartbeat — away from the great and awesome Day of the Lord. But we are also some unknown period of time away from any number of other days of the Lord. How long will God ‘tolerate’ our worship of Moloch — abortion and hormonal ‘birth control’ — before He destroys us as He did the Canaanites and the Carthaginians? How long will He ‘tolerate’ our not mere acceptance but promotion of sodomy and all manner of sexual perversion before He wipes us away like Sodom and Gomorrah? How long will He ‘tolerate’ our worship of Mammon before He destroys us with a foreign foe as He did the Northern Kingdom with the Assyrians or at least takes us into captivity as He did the Southern Kingdom with the Babylonians? How long will He ‘tolerate’ our obstinacy before He sends upon us plague and desolation as He did with the Egyptians? How long will He ‘tolerate’ our impenitent, high-handed wickedness before He gives us up to our sins as Romans 1 warns? There have been many days of the Lord and there will undoubtedly be more before the end finally comes. Or are we such fools that we hold to some sort of theological version of the secular foolishness that is the ‘end of history’? ‘Oh,’ the fool says, ‘God may have judged and intervened in ages past, but surely now, in these modern days, He no longer does so.’ Do you not know that God kills each man who dies? And I do mean ‘man’ in the general sense, for He surely kills every woman and child as well. Were you operating under the delusional belief that death is a part of nature? Hear the Word of the Lord:

»Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned[.]«
— Romans 5:12 (ESV)

Death was not part of God’s good plan, part of His good ordering of Creation; rather, death entered the world only through and as a consequence of sin. God hates sin and God hates sinners. Without sinners, there would be no sin, and you are not a sinner because you sin, but, rather, you sin because you are a sinner — it is an inborn and inescapable (in this life) corruption of your nature. You are inwardly tempted by your fallen and corrupt nature — this we term concupiscence; even when you do not actively sin, you still desire to sin, and that desire is itself sin. The Gospel is good news precisely because we cannot avoid sin in this life. We are born under an irremovable death sentence, and God will carry out His perfect justice just as surely as He has, does, and will uphold each and every one of His promises. In Adam, as the federal head of all mankind, we all fell, and so our status, from birth until death, is sinner, and God will kill every sinner, for God will see all sin destroyed. For those of us who are being prepared for everlasting glory, this means that, having already passed from death to life in the waters of Holy Baptism, we will never taste the second death, which is the eternal and inescapable fires of Hell. The perfect justice of God requires atonement for sin. Christ’s work on the cross (and during His perfect earthly life) atoned for all sin — not just the sin of the Elect, not even just the sin of men. Why, then, are not all men saved? Because it is possible to reject this free gift. If I were to ship you a nice bottle of wine, you could refuse shipment, and you would, therefore, not be able to enjoy said wine; this would not in any way change that I had paid for the wine. Similarly, the refusal of any man to believe is not in any way relevant to the fact that Christ redeemed all things in and by His work.

And let us take heed lest we fall: Those who believe may fall away. Look to the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Did the five foolish virgins have fake fire? Certainly not. They had true fire — saving faith — and they allowed it to die. ‘If you were of your father Abraham, then you would do his works.’ ‘Faith without works is dead.’ ‘Show me faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works.’

Are you saved by works? Yes. You are saved — as are all who are numbered among the Elect — by the works of one Man, Christ. Your own works surely cannot save you — cannot contribute anything to your justification —, and yet sanctification is synergistic — in sanctification, we coöperate with the Spirit. Or we do not coöperate and we permit our faith to die. All ten of the virgins were given faith (the fire) and yet only five of them kept that fire alive (i.e., produced works — the oil). A living faith will necessarily produce good works. A bit of grammar and philosophy: It matters where we place the modifier and what the modifier is. If someone says that ‘works are necessary for salvation’, then he is a heretic; if someone says that ‘works are necessary to salvation’, then he is being dangerously vague, and should be corrected; if someone says that ‘works will necessarily flow from saving faith’, then he is speaking the truth, for he is just echoing Scripture — a living faith will produce works. To be abundantly clear: Your works will not save you, but, if you have been given the gift of faith and it is a living faith, then it will necessarily produce good works. The good news is that your good works will not save you (in isolation, this certainly sounds like bad news), but Christ’s good works will save you — through faith. You are accounted righteous via the attribution to you of the alien righteousness of Christ; His righteousness is not yours by nature or by right, but by the grace of God, Who applied this righteousness to you when He claimed you as His own in the waters of Holy Baptism. Baptizatus sum ergo salvatus sum — I am baptized, therefore I am saved. If just those two works — Baptizatus Sum — were on my headstone, they would surely be sufficient. Now, Baptism does not destroy or change our nature — I am still male, German, and pertinacious — my Baptism changed none of these things, for they are my nature, and God made my nature, just as surely as He made me —, but Baptism is, in this life, your most important attribute, for it is Baptism that marks you as a child of God. As a great Christian king once said:

I think more of the chapel where I was baptized than of the cathedral where I was crowned king. So the dignity of a child of God which was bestowed on me at Baptism is greater than that of the ruler of this kingdom. The latter I will lose at death, the other will be my passport to everlasting glory.

The great and the small alike take nothing with them when they leave this world, but your Baptism is your ticket to everlasting life. Your works may demonstrate that your faith is living — and God will reward you for them —, but you cannot plead them at the Judgement. Like your wealth or your intelligence, your works contribute nothing to your justification, which will be the matter at issue when you stand before the Judgement Seat; it is only Christ’s blood that you may plead, and you were washed in His blood in Holy Baptism. Your pastor did not baptize you — God did, using your pastor’s hands.

Thus, on the ultimate Day of the Lord, we must all plead sola gratia sola fide solo Christo — by grace alone through faith alone for the sake of Christ alone. With empty hands, but white robes, we will plead only the blood of the Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world: ‘I know that there is nothing good in me, that is in my fallen flesh, but I know beyond all doubt that He Who dwells in me is my righteousness, my justification, my salvation — and He has promised to confess me before the Father as I have, in faith, confessed Him before men. I plead Christ and Christ alone.’ This is the Gospel. Or, in the words of Christ from the cross: “It is finished.”

And yet we must return to those other days of the Lord. What are we to do about those? Here we return to sanctification and works. God was pleased with Abraham because he had a living faith from which good works flowed; on the other hand, God was (and is) angry with the Jews because they did not have a living faith and thus did not do the works of Abraham. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament; the God of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament; the God Who walked in the Garden is the God Who hung on the tree is the God Who will judge both the living and the dead. If you have ever said ‘that was the Old Testament’, then you had best be certain that it was in reference to the ceremonial law, the civil law, or some basic fact, and not in regard to the Moral Law, for the Moral Law flows from the nature of God and is, therefore, unchanging, and to deny the Moral Law is to deny God. The God Who cast Adam and Eve from the Garden is the God Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and to Abraham at the oak of Mamre; the God who burned Sodom and Gomorrah to ash — so thoroughly that the location can still be identified today — is the God Who walked with fishermen and tax collectors along the Sea of Galilee; and the God Who guided Old Testament Israel through the desert is the God Who will judge you from His holy throne. He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. If your god does not slaughter the wicked, open the earth to swallow the apostate, close the heavens to starve the impenitent, send plagues to punish sinners, and actively hate evil, then he is not the Lord God and you are no Christian. God is as active today as He has ever been or will ever be, for God does not change. The faithless and the wicked are still punished; the faithful and the righteous are still rewarded. Children and rain alike are still gifts from God. Plants still do not grow without His good pleasure. He is the God Who raises up and no one breaks down, Who tears down and no one rebuilds, Who sets the boundaries of the nations, Who brings nations into being and destroys nations for faithlessness, and Who holds all things in the palm of His hand and together by His power. Your next breath is contingent on His good pleasure and your every cell division relies upon His guidance. If your god is any smaller than this, then I do not know who he is, but he is not the Lord God. If you do not hold that He blesses the faithful and punishes the wicked, then you accuse Him of hypocrisy and mendacity. Yes, the wicked may flourish for a season, and, in the words of the Psalmist, it may seem a wearisome task to understand this, but we can be absolutely certain that not only does God always settle accounts, but He does so perfectly and at the perfect time. For God, kairos is simply the perpetual and eternal state of things. He sets the wicked in slippery places that their fall may be the more poignant and the more damning — that it may serve as warning and blessing to the faithful. During the (brief) period of Old Testament Israel’s faithfulness, God blessed them both spiritually and materially — and the same holds true for us today. Both we and our fathers have sinned, and so we find ourselves persecuted and in the most desperate of straits in these evil days, but God promises that He will avenge Himself on those Who persecute and harm His sheep. How, then, do we benefit from such promises? By being His sheep — by obedience.

It is overlooked by many — perhaps most — these days, but many of God’s blessings are phrased conditionally — ‘If you will obey my voice, then I will…’ The Jews believed that they would be blessed without faith and without the works of Abraham; God disabused them of this with exile, subjugation by the Romans, destruction of the Temple, expulsion from the land, and many other such signs. Are we truly such fools that we believe we will be blessed if we are faithless? Look at the state of our nation, our country, our civilization, and tell me that we are not cursed, but blessed. Surely God must be close to removing our lampstand entirely, for we are a wicked and faithless generation, an apostate people, a rebellious nation.

And so our task is twofold: We must implore God not to sweep away the righteous (i.e., the faithful) with the wicked and we must endeavor to return our nation to God. The Christian faith is not a matter of quiescence or pacifism — both of which are sin; rather, the Christian faith is an active faith, seeking the conversion of all nations to Christ. The Lord is a Man of war, and we, His servants, must do His work while it is yet day. Christianity is neither a death cult nor a faith that calls upon us to abandon or to accept this wicked world. We are sheep with regard to the Shepherd, but we are soldiers with regard to this, His war. The powers and principalities are most certainly defeated, but we must announce this victory, this good news, this Gospel, first to our brothers according to the flesh and then to the whole world. All of His enemies will be crushed under His feet as He has already crushed the serpent, and it is, in the words of the Psalmist, ‘the glory of His chosen ones’ — of us, the Elect — ‘to strike our feet in the spilt blood of His enemies’. If you do not have one, sell your cloak and buy a sword.

Some will tell you that Christians are called to be ‘meek’, but they will never tell you what meekness actually is. To be meek is to exercise control over one’s strength. Christ is meek; the weak cannot be meek, for they have no strength to control. To be meek is to know when to restrain and when to employ one’s strength; so, yes, let us be meek in the proper sense of the term: Kind and caring toward the sheep, but ruthless to the wolves. Let us, again in the words of the Psalmist, see that ‘our dogs have their portion from the foes’, portions won by our ‘two-edged swords’. Just as we are not to tolerate false doctrine or false teachers in the Church — the Kingdom of the right hand of Christ —, so we are not to tolerate the wicked in the State — the kingdom of the left hand of Christ. As Christ owns both His hands, so He owns both kingdoms, and we, His servants, serve Him best by rendering unto Him what is His. But surely this raises the question: What is God’s? The answer is simple: To the Creator of all things belong all things. Everything is God’s. Thus let us render unto God what is God’s: Heaven and Earth and all that is therein contained.

Amen.

Readings* Psalm 137 * Psalm 130 * Jeremiah 25:1–18 * Matthew 26:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 9–10

Readings* Psalm 143 * Psalm 105 * Jeremiah 23:21–40 * Matthew 25:31–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 1–8

Readings* Psalm 24 * Psalm 25 * Jeremiah 23:1–20 * Matthew 25:14–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 96–99

Readings* Amos 5:18–24 * Psalm 70 * 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 * Matthew 25:1–13

Readings Psalm 147 * Jeremiah 22:1–23 * Matthew 25:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 89–95 CommemorationToday we commemorate the birth of Martin Chemnitz, Pastor and Confessor. Known as “the other Martin”, Martin Chemnitz stands as, aside from Martin Luther, the most important theologian in the history of the Lutheran Church. When disagreements arose in the wake of Luther’s death, it was Chemnitz who became the driving force behind the Formula of Concord, which restored unity. Among his many works, the four-volume Examination of the Council of Trent stands as one of Chemnitz’s greatest works; in the Examen*, Chemnitz subjected the teachings of the Roman church to Scripture and to the Church Fathers — Rome has never responded.

Readings Psalm 143 * Psalm 144 * Jeremiah 20:1–18 * Matthew 24:29–51 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 78–88 CommemorationToday we commemorate Johannes von Staupitz, Luther’s Father Confessor*. Vicar-General of the Augustinian order in Germany, Johannes von Staupitz was born in Saxony. Called in 1503, by Frederick the Wise, to serve as dean of the theological faculty at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Staupitz would go on to encourage Luther to obtain his doctorate in theology and to appoint Luther to be his successor as professor of Bible at Wittenberg. It was Staupitz who counseled Luther early on in Luther’s life, when Luther was an Augustinian monk struggling with the idea of God’s grace, to focus not upon himself but upon Christ.

Readings* Psalm 121 * Psalm 135 * Jeremiah 11:1–23 * Matthew 24:1–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 68–77

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 8:18—9:12 * Matthew 23:13–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 60–67

Readings* Psalm 38 * Jeremiah 7:1–29 * Matthew 23:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 52–59

Readings* Psalm 110 * Psalm 108 * Jeremiah 5:1–19 * Matthew 22:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 41–51

Readings* Revelation 7:2–17 * Psalm 149 * 1 John 3:1–3 * Matthew 5:1–12

Readings* Psalm 15 * Psalm 26 * Jeremiah 3:6—4:2 * Matthew 22:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 35–40

Readings* Psalm 118 * Jeremiah 1:1–19 * Matthew 21:23–46 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 30–34

Readings* Psalm 150 * Psalm 147 * Deuteronomy 34:1–12 * Matthew 21:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 27–29 FestivalToday we celebrate the feast of All Saints’ Day. As Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ, so All Saints’ Day celebrates the resurrection of all those who believe in Him. On this day, we contemplate the scope and scale of Christ’s work — winning for His Kingdom men, women, and children from every tribe and nation. We are, indeed, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. It is such resurrection that allows us to confess that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed”. Today we celebrate with the entire Church catholic the coming eternal Kingdom and the consummation of all things.

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 32:28–52 * Matthew 20:17–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 22–26 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of Reformation Day. On 31 October 1517, an Augustinian monk nailed ninety-five theses, points for discussion, to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. Dr. Martin Luther did not, at the time, intend a break with the Roman church; rather, he sought only to address a number of pressing matters, among them indulgences. Rome, however, wanted nothing of Luther’s suggested discussion, and would eventually excommunicate him, declare him a heretic, and seek his death. Refusing to compromise on the rediscovered Gospel, Luther would go on to translate the New Testament, publish numerous works, and, above all, spark a Reformation that would see the restoration of Christ’s Church, over and against the heresies of Rome. We celebrate Reformation Day in remembrance of God’s great mercy and His steadfast love, of His work through Martin Luther that rescued the Gospel, enabling us to stand and, with Luther, declare of the Truth:

“Hier stehe ich — ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen.”

Or, in English:

“Here I stand — I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

Readings* Psalm 90 * Deuteronomy 31:30—32:27 * Matthew 20:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 16–21

Readings* Psalm 56 * Psalm 58 * Deuteronomy 31:1–29 * Matthew 19:16–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 9–15

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 132 * Deuteronomy 30:1–20 * Matthew 19:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 1–8 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles. Simon and Jude are typically listed tenth and eleventh when the Apostles are named; Simon is called “the Zealot” and Jude is also known as Judas (not Iscariot) or Thaddeus. According to tradition Simon and Jude, together, spread the Gospel to Persia, where they were martyred, hence we commemorate them on the same day.

Readings* Revelation 14:6–7 * Psalm 46 * Romans 3:19–28 * John 8:31–36 * Matthew 11:12–19

Readings* Psalm 20 * Psalm 25 * Deuteronomy 29:1–29 * Matthew 18:21–35 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 60–71

Readings Psalm 12 * Psalm 9 * Deuteronomy 28:1–22 * Matthew 18:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 50–59 CommemorationToday we commemorate Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt, Hymnwriters*. Philipp Nicolai was a German pastor who lived through the Great Plague, which took the lives of thirteen hundred members of his parish. Despite hardships, he contributed hymns which the Church uses to this day — among them, “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” and “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”. Johann Heermann was a German pastor who lived through the Thirty Years’ War, and contributed a number of hymns to the corpus. Paul Gerhardt was a German pastor who also lived through the Thirty Years’ War, lost his pastoral position for refusing to compromise his beliefs, and wrote over one hundred hymns; he is regarded as one of Lutheranism’s finest hymnwriters.

Readings Psalm 93 * Psalm 87 * Deuteronomy 27:1–26 * Matthew 17:14–27 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 40–49 CommemorationToday we commemorate Dorcas (also known as Tabitha), Lydia, and Phoebe, Faithful Women*. These three faithful women exemplified what it means to live a Christian life. Tabitha is remembered for her charitable acts in Joppa, particularly for making clothing for the poor. When Tabitha died suddenly, Peter came from nearby Lydda and raised her from the dead. Lydia was a dealer in purple dye, an expensive and in-demand product in the ancient world; converted to Christianity by Paul’s preaching, Lydia became a patron of the church in Philippi. Phoebe was a deaconess in Cenchreae who delivered Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, in which Paul praises her support of the Church.

Readings* Psalm 99 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 25:17—26:19 * Matthew 17:1–13 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 28–39

Readings* Psalm 107 * Deuteronomy 24:10—25:10 * Matthew 16:13–28 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 18–27 FestivalToday we celebrate the Festival of St. James of Jerusalem, Brother of Jesus and Martyr. Also known as “James the Just”, St. James of Jerusalem did not believe in the divinity of Christ until after the Resurrection. After converting, James became a leader in the early Christian community, and, after Peter’s departure from that city, James became bishop of the Church in Jerusalem. According to Josephus, James was stoned to death by the Sadducees in AD 62. James authored the Epistle that bears his name and exhorts Christians to remain in and live out the one true Faith.

Readings* Psalm 62 * Psalm 119:137–144 * Deuteronomy 21:1–23 * Matthew 16:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 7–17

Readings* Psalm 142 * Psalm 91 * Deuteronomy 20:1–20 * Matthew 15:21–39 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 1–6

Readings* Isaiah 45:1–7 * Psalm 96 * 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 * Matthew 22:15–22

Readings* Psalm 138 * Psalm 140 * Deuteronomy 19:1–20 * Matthew 15:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXII, 9–17

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 18:1–22 * Matthew 14:22–36 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXII, 1–8

Readings* Psalm 75 * Psalm 77 * Deuteronomy 17:1–20 * Matthew 14:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 38–44 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of St. Luke, Evangelist. A traveling companion of St. Paul, St. Luke was a Greek physician, who would author one of the four Gospels and the Book of Acts. It is Luke who gives us details of Christ’s birth and many other events. Taken together, The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts comprise over a third of the New Testament.

Readings Psalm 39 * Psalm 38 * Deuteronomy 15:19—16:22 * Matthew 13:44–58 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 31–37 CommemorationToday we commemorate Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr. Serving as bishop of Antioch in the beginning of the second century AD, Ignatius was a proponent of orthodox Christian doctrine. Arrested under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius, like Paul, was taken in chains to Rome, where he was executed by being thrown to wild beasts in the arena. In his letters, written on the way to Rome, Ignatius warned against false teachings, encouraged his fellow pastors, emphasized Christ’s full humanity and* full deity, defended the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, and stressed the unity of the Church (being the first to use the term “catholic” in describing her). Ignatius left behind a lasting legacy for the Church.

Readings* Psalm 37 * Deuteronomy 14:1—15:15 * Matthew 13:24–43 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 21–30

Readings* Psalm 119:33–40 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 13:1–18 * Matthew 13:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 14–20

Readings* Isaiah 25:6–9 * Psalm 23 * Philippians 4:4–13 * Matthew 22:1–14

Readings* Psalm 111 * Psalm 115 * Deuteronomy 11:26—12:12 * Matthew 12:22–37 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 86–92

Readings* Psalm 114 * Psalm 124 * Deuteronomy 12:13–32 * Matthew 12:38–50 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 1–13

Readings* Psalm 119:97–104 * Psalm 146 * Deuteronomy 11:1–25 * Matthew 12:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 78–85

Readings* Psalm 23 * Psalm 114 * Deuteronomy 9:23—10:22 * Matthew 11:20–30 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVIII–XIX CommemorationToday we commemorate Philip the Deacon. One of the seven men appointed to help the Apostles handle the work of the rapidly expanding Early Church by overseeing the distribution of food to the poor, Philip would go on to work as an evangelist in Samaria. Pursuant to the word of God brought to him by an angel, Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, an official in the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, on the road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza. In preaching the Good News to this man (and baptizing him), Philip became indirectly responsible for transmitting the Gospel to the continent of Africa.

Readings* Psalm 106 * Deuteronomy 9:1–22 * Matthew 11:1–19 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 61–65, & XVII

Readings* Psalm 103 * Deuteronomy 8:1–20 * Matthew 10:24–42 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 53–60 CommemorationToday we commemorate Abraham. Selected from among the nations and called by God to become the father of a great nation, Abraham left his home and all that he had ever known, at the age of seventy-five, and moved to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and to his descendants (a promise fulfilled under the reign of Israel’s monarchs). At the age of one hundred, Abraham had Isaac with his wife Sarah — a miraculous birth according to the promise from God. Demonstrating his obedience to and trust in God in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (a sacrifice God stopped by speaking from Heaven and providing a ram), Abraham is commended for his trusting faith in God and His promises. Through the Seed of Abraham, that is Christ Jesus, all nations have been blessed.

Readings* Psalm 126 * Psalm 141 * Deuteronomy 7:1–19 * Matthew 10:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 45–52

Readings* Psalm 121 * Psalm 131 * Deuteronomy 6:10–25 * Matthew 9:18–38 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 31–44

Readings* Psalm 91 * Psalm 97 * Deuteronomy 5:22—6:9 * Matthew 9:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 22–30

Readings* Isaiah 5:1–7 * Psalm 80:7–19 * Philippians 3:4b–14 * Matthew 21:33–46

Readings* Psalm 86 * Deuteronomy 5:1–21 * Matthew 8:18–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 13–21

Readings* Psalm 80 * Deuteronomy 4:21–40 * Matthew 8:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 1–12

Readings* Psalm 119:9–16 * Psalm 125 * Deuteronomy 4:1–20 * Matthew 7:13–29 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIV, 24–28

Readings* Psalm 3 * Psalm 2 * Deuteronomy 3:1–29 * Matthew 7:1–12 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIII, 14–23

Readings* Psalm 130 * Psalm 51 * Deuteronomy 2:16–37 * Matthew 6:16–34 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIII, 1–13

Readings Psalm 119:161–168 * Psalm 63 * Deuteronomy 1:37—2:15 * Matthew 6:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 77–81 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture*. Beginning his studies in Rome, Jerome would choose a monastic life and spend five years in the Syrian desert, there learning Hebrew. After settling in Bethlehem, Jerome set about translating Scripture into Latin, a task that would produce the Vulgate — the authoritative translation used by the Western Church for over a thousand years. Originally buried in Bethlehem, Jerome’s remains were moved and now reside in Rome.

Readings Psalm 19 * Psalm 34 * Deuteronomy 1:19–36 * Matthew 5:21–48 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 67–76 Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels*. One of the archangels, tradition names Michael as patron and protector of the Church and of Christians. Mentioned in the Biblical books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, Michael leads the hosts of Heaven into battle against Satan and his demons — a victory assured by the blood of Christ, and announced in Revelation 12:10 by a voice from Heaven:

“Now the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down[.]”

Readings* Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32 * Psalm 25:1–10 * Philippians 2:1–18 * Matthew 21:23–32

Readings* Psalm 145 * Deuteronomy 1:1–18 * Matthew 5:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 58–66

Readings* Psalm 91 * Malachi 3:6—4:6 * Matthew 4:12–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 51–57

Readings* Psalm 16 * Psalm 32 * Malachi 2:1—3:5 * Matthew 4:1–11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 43–50

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Malachi 1:1–14 * Matthew 3:1–17 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 34–42

Readings* Psalm 123 * Psalm 99 * Nehemiah 9:22–38 * 1 Timothy 6:3–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 25–33

Readings* Psalm 51 * Psalm 12 * Nehemiah 9:1–21 * 1 Timothy 5:17—6:2 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 16–24

Readings* Isaiah 55:6–9 * Psalm 27:1–9 * Philippians 1:12–14, 19–30 * Matthew 20:1–16

Readings* Psalm 133 * Psalm 119:97–104 * Nehemiah 7:1–4; 8:1–18 * 1 Timothy 5:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIB, 1–15 CommemorationToday we commemorate Jonah. Called by God to preach in Nineveh, capital of Assyria, Jonah initially refused his call and attempted to flee. Whereas all are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale (or large fish), the book of Jonah focuses more on God’s mercy, patience, and compassion. Christ Himself uses the story of Jonah and the whale in describing His own death, burial, and resurrection.

Readings* Psalm 55 * Psalm 119:89–96 * Nehemiah 5:1–16; 6:1–16 * 1 Timothy 4:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 83–97 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. An author of one of the four Gospels, Matthew was called to follow Jesus, and, in doing so, left behind a lucrative occupation as tax collector. Church tradition is uncertain as to whether Matthew died a martyr’s death, and, if so, where.

Readings* Psalm 46 * Psalm 54 * Nehemiah 4:7–23 * 1 Timothy 3:1–16 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 68–82

Readings* Psalm 136 * Nehemiah 2:11–20; 4:1–6 * 1 Timothy 2:1–15 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 59–67

Readings* Psalm 118 * Nehemiah 1:1—2:10 * 1 Timothy 1:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 46–58

Readings* Psalm 130 * Psalm 143 * 2 Chronicles 36:1–23 * Colossians 4:1–18 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 28–45

Readings Psalm 108 * 2 Chronicles 35:1–25 * Colossians 3:1–25 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 11–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr*. Living in the third century AD, Cyprian served as bishop of Carthage. Originally fleeing Carthage under the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian returned and set rules for those who had fallen away from the faith under persecution to return to the Church. Under later persecution by Roman Emperor Valerian, Cyprian initially hid himself, but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded in AD 258.

Readings* Psalm 1 * Psalm 4 * 2 Chronicles 34:1–33 * Colossians 2:8–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIIA, 1–10

Readings* Genesis 50:15–21 * Psalm 103:1–12 * Romans 14:1–12 * Matthew 18:21–35

Readings* Psalm 38 * 2 Chronicles 33:1–25 * Colossians 1:24—2:7 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XI, 60–67 FestivalToday we celebrate the festival of Holy Cross Day. Traditionally, Holy Cross Day is celebrated on the 14th of September in commemoration of the discovery of the original cross of Jesus by Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, in AD 320. The festival was made official by Constantine in AD 335.

Psalm 27
Psalm 31
2 Chronicles 32:1–22
Colossians 1:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IX, X, XI, 58–59

Psalm 94
2 Chronicles 31:1–21
Philippians 4:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 36–50

Readings* Psalm 44 * Psalm 100 * 2 Chronicles 29:1–24 * Philippians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 25–35

Psalm 58
Psalm 53
2 Kings 9:1—10:29
Philippians 2:12–30
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 16–24

Readings* Psalm 61 * Psalm 59 * 2 Kings 6:1–23 * Philippians 1:21—2:11 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, VII, 1–15

Readings* Psalm 71 * Psalm 69 * 2 Kings 5:9–27 * Philippians 1:1–20 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 269–279

Psalm 131
Psalm 77
2 Kings 4:38—5:8
Ephesians 6:1–24
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 262–268

Readings* Psalm 127 * Psalm 128 * 2 Kings 4:8–37 * Ephesians 5:15–33 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 257–261

Readings* Psalm 56 * 2 Kings 2:19–25; 4:1–7 * Ephesians 4:25—5:14 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 249–256 CommemorationToday we commemorate Zacharias and Elizabeth. Remembered as examples of faithfulness and piety, Zacharias and Elizabeth became the parents of John the Baptist despite their old age. Initially disbelieving the promise, Zacharias was struck mute by the angel who announced that Zacharias and Elizabeth would have a son; upon confirming his wife’s chosen name for their son, John, Zacharias was restored to his ability to speak. Upon regaining his speech, Zacharias sang the Benedictus, a summary of the promises in the Old Testament and a prophecy of John the Baptist’s ministry as a forerunner of Christ.

Readings* Psalm 90 * Psalm 107 * 2 Kings 2:2–18 * Ephesians 4:1–24 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 241–248 CommemorationToday we commemorate Moses. Greatest amongst the Old Testament prophets, Moses spoke with God ‘face to face’. Moses’ life was divided into three parts of forty years each: First, he lived in Egypt in the royal court, having been rescued by the daughter of pharaoh (and the intervention of God); second, he lived as a shepherd in the land of Midian after fleeing Egypt; and, third, he led Israel during the wandering in the desert. Prohibited from entering the Promised Land due to disobedience at Meribah, Moses was nevertheless allowed to view the land from Mount Nebo, where he then died and was buried (in an unknown location) by God.

Readings Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 108 * 1 Kings 19:1–21 * Ephesians 3:1–21 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 235–240 CommemorationToday we commemorate Gregory the Great, Pastor*. Gregory served both as mayor and, later, as bishop of Rome. Before entering full-time service in the Church, Gregory helped to strengthen a Rome weakened by enemy invasions and plague, and sold his considerable possessions and donated the proceeds to help the poor. As bishop of Rome, Gregory contributed to the Church by establishing a Church Year calendar, which some church bodies still use to this day, and overseeing musical and liturgical development, advancing missionary work in Northern Europe, and composing a book on pastoral care that would long serve as a standard in the Church.

Readings* Psalm 135 * 1 Kings 18:20–40 * Ephesians 2:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 223–234 CommemorationToday we commemorate Hannah. The favored wife of her husband, Elkanah, Hannah suffered through years of barrenness, but never gave up hope in the Lord. For her devotion, she was repaid with the birth of a son, Samuel, whom she dedicated to the service of the Lord. Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving foreshadows the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, which would come centuries later.

Readings* Psalm 47 * Psalm 8 * 1 Kings 18:1–19 * Ephesians 1:1–23 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 213–222 CommemorationToday we commemorate Joshua, son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. Most noted for his succession of Moses as Israel’s commander-in-chief, Joshua led a life of devotion to and faith in God. From defeating the Amalekites and being in charge of the tent of meeting to scouting the land of Canaan and leading Israel across the Jordan, Joshua showed steadfast faith in God and His promises. Joshua is especially noted for his final address, in which he, like Moses before him, presented the Israelites with the path of life and the path of death, the path of obedience to God and the path of rebellion, and in which he spoke his most famous words: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Psalm 68
Psalm 70
1 Kings 16:29—17:24
2 Corinthians 9:1–15
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 205–212

Psalm 29
Psalm 75
1 Kings 12:20—13:34
2 Corinthians 8:1–24
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 195–204

Psalm 17
1 Kings 11:42—12:19
2 Corinthians 7:1–16
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 192–194

Psalm 48
1 Kings 11:1–26
2 Corinthians 6:1–18
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 183–191

Readings

Psalm 72 1 Kings 9:1–9, 10:1–13 2 Corinthians 5:1–21 Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 177–182

Commemoration Today we commemorate Monica, Mother of Augustine. Despite being widowed at a young age, Monica devoted herself to the welfare, spiritual and physical, of her children. Monica would follow her son, Augustine, to Rome and then to Milan, where she would finally see the fruit of her efforts (and the Holy Spirit’s work) as Augustine converted to Christianity.

Psalm 72
1 Kings 9:1–9, 10:1–13
2 Corinthians 5:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 177–182

Psalm 36
1 Kings 8:22–63
2 Corinthians 4:1–18
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 170–176

Psalm 27
1 Kings 5:1–18
2 Corinthians 1:23—2:17
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 160–166

Psalm 111
Psalm 49
1 Kings 3:1–15
2 Corinthians 1:1–22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 153–159

Psalm 97
1 Kings 2:1–27
1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 148–152

Psalm 139
1 Kings 1:1–35
1 Corinthians 12:14–31
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 144–147

Psalm 51
2 Samuel 12:1–25
1 Corinthians 12:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 140–143

Psalm 12
Psalm 22
2 Samuel 11:1–27
1 Corinthians 11:17–34
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 137–139

Psalm 107
Psalm 106
2 Samuel 7:18–29
1 Corinthians 10:23—11:16
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 133–136

Psalm 24
2 Samuel 7:1–17
1 Corinthians 9:24—10:22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 124–132

Psalm 11
Psalm 84
2 Samuel 6:1–19
1 Corinthians 9:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 119–123

Psalm 132
2 Samuel 5:1–25
1 Corinthians 8:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 112–118

Psalm 33
2 Samuel 1:1–27
1 Corinthians 7:25–40
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 104–111

Psalm 68
1 Samuel 31:1–13
1 Corinthians 7:1–24
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 97–103

Psalm 99
1 Samuel 28:3–25
1 Corinthians 6:1–20
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 89–96

Psalm 51
1 Samuel 26:1–25
1 Corinthians 5:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 82–88

Psalm 14
Psalm 53
1 Samuel 25:23–44
1 Corinthians 4:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 74–81

Psalm 94
1 Samuel 25:1–22
1 Corinthians 3:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 68–73

Psalm 62
1 Samuel 24:1–22
1 Corinthians 1:26—2:16
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 62–67

Psalm 144
1 Samuel 20:24–42
1 Corinthians 1:1–25
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 58–61

Psalm 92
1 Samuel 20:1–23
Acts 28:16–31
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 51–57

Psalm 21
1 Samuel 19:1–24
Acts 28:1–15
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 45–50

Psalm 56
1 Samuel 18:10–30
Acts 27:27–44
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 38–44

Psalm 68
1 Samuel 17:48—18:9
Acts 27:9–26
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 26–37

Psalm 71
Psalm 98
1 Samuel 17:20–47
Acts 26:24—27:8
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 15–25

Psalm 70
Psalm 75
1 Samuel 17:1–19
Acts 26:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 9–14

Psalm 80
1 Samuel 16:1–23
Acts 25:13–27
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, V, 1–8

Psalm 50
Psalm 130
1 Samuel 15:10–35
Acts 24:24—25:12
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 115–121

Psalm 119:41–48
Psalm 13
1 Samuel 14:47—15:9
Acts 24:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 107–114

Psalm 59
Psalm 57
1 Samuel 13:1–18
Acts 23:12–35
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 98–106

Psalm 119:17–24
Psalm 141
1 Samuel 12:1–25
Acts 22:30—23:11
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 88–97

Psalm 69
Psalm 70
1 Samuel 10:1–27
Acts 22:17–29
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 86–87

Psalm 63
Psalm 149
1 Samuel 9:1–27
Acts 21:37—22:16
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 75–85

Psalm 24
1 Samuel 8:1–22
Acts 21:15–36
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 61–74

Psalm 119:113–120
Psalm 141
1 Samuel 6:19—7:17
Acts 19:1–22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 48–60

Psalm 137
Psalm 56
1 Samuel 5:1—6:16
Acts 18:1–28
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 36–47

Psalm 106
1 Samuel 4:1–22
Acts 16:23–40
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 22–35

Isaiah 44:6–8
Psalm 119:57–64
Romans 8:18–27
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

title

Readings * Psalm 119:57–64 * Psalm 115 * 1 Samuel 3:1–21 * Acts 16:1–22 * Apology of the Augsburg Confession, IV, 12–21

Reader Corey J. Mahler

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Psalm 82
Psalm 136
1 Samuel 2:18–36
Acts 15:22–41
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, III and IV, 1–11

Psalm 20
Psalm 131
1 Samuel 1:21—2:17
Galatians 6:1–18
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 35–51

Psalm 92
1 Samuel 1:1–20
Galatians 5:1–26
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 23–34

Psalm 21
Judges 16:4–30
Galatians 4:12–31
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, II, 5–22

Psalm 33
Psalm 27
Judges 15:1—16:3
Galatians 3:23—4:11
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, I and II, 1–4

Psalm 119:1–8
Psalm 1
Judges 14:1–20
Galatians 3:1–22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Introduction, 1–19

Psalm 71
Judges 13:1–25
Galatians 2:1–21
Augsburg Confession, Conclusion

Psalm 118
Psalm 108
Judges 7:1–23
Galatians 1:1–24
Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 61–78

Psalm 5
Judges 6:25–40
Acts 15:6–21
Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 43–60

Psalm 125
Psalm 7
Judges 6:1–24
Acts 14:19—15:5
Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 30–42

Psalm 138
Psalm 86
Judges 4:1–24
Acts 14:1–18
Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 19–29

Psalm 16
Psalm 139
Judges 3:7–31
Acts 13:42–52
Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 1–18

Psalm 2
Psalm 78
Judges 2:6–23
Acts 13:13–41
Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 44–62

Psalm 100
Psalm 5
Joshua 24:1–31
Acts 13:1–12
Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 24–43

Psalm 68
Psalm 149
Joshua 23:1–16
Acts 12:1–25
Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 1–23

Psalm 50
Psalm 113
Joshua 10:1–25
Acts 11:19–30
Augsburg Confession, XXVI, 21–45

Psalm 84
Psalm 45
Joshua 8:1–28
Acts 11:1–18
Augsburg Confession, XXVI, 1–20

Psalm 51
Psalm 60
Joshua 7:1–26
Acts 10:34–48
Augsburg Confession, XXV

Psalm 47
Psalm 75
Joshua 6:6–27
Acts 10:18–33
Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 21–41

Psalm 114
Psalm 144
Joshua 5:1—6:5
Acts 10:1–17
Augsburg Confession, XXIV

Readings

Psalm 103 Joshua 4:1–24 Acts 9:23–43 Augsburg Confession, XXIII

Commemoration Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. Early Christian tradition holds that Ss. Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day in Rome under the persecution of Nero. In addition to their joint commemoration on June 29th (a festival the Church has observed since the third century or so), Ss. Peter and Paul are also commemorated separately in the calendar — St. Peter on the 18th of January for his confession of Christ and Paul on the 25th of January for his conversion. Both Peter and Paul are held up in Scripture as examples of men who, although flawed, became staunch defenders of and evangelists for the faith.

Podcast

Psalm 89
Psalm 97
Joshua 3:1–17
Acts 9:1–22
Augsburg Confession, XII

Psalm 51
Joshua 2:1–24
Acts 8:26–40
Augsburg Confession, XXI

Psalm 31
Joshua 1:1–18
Acts 8:1–25
Augsburg Confession, XX, 19–40

Psalm 119:41–48
Psalm 73
Proverbs 31:10–31
John 21:1–25
Augsburg Confession, XX, 1–18

Psalm 85
Proverbs 30:1–33
John 20:19–31
Augsburg Confession, XVII–XIX

Jeremiah 20:7–13
Psalm 91:1–16
Romans 6:12–23
Matthew 10:5a, 21–33

Psalm 139
Psalm 16
Proverbs 27:1–24
John 20:1–18
Augsburg Confession, XIV–XVI

Psalm 22
Proverbs 25:1–22
John 19:23–42
Augsburg Confession, XII–XIII

Psalm 22
Psalm 21
Proverbs 24:1–22
John 19:1–22
Augsburg Confession, IX–XI

Psalm 45
Proverbs 22:22—23:12
John 18:15–40
Augsburg Confession, VII–VIII

Psalm 31
Psalm 102
Proverbs 22:1–21
John 18:1–14
Augsburg Confession, V–VI

Psalm 86
Proverbs 20:1–25
John 17:1–26
Augsburg Confession, III–IV

Psalm 107
Proverbs 17:1–28
John 16:17–33
Augsburg Confession, I–II

Psalm 147
Proverbs 16:1–24
John 16:1–16
Augsburg Confession, Preface, 12–24

Psalm 51
Psalm 10
Proverbs 15:1–29
John 15:12–27
Augsburg Confession, Preface, 1–11

Psalm 66
Proverbs 14:1–27
John 15:1–11
Small Catechism, Table of Duties V–XIII

Psalm 68
Psalm 85
Proverbs 13:1–25
John 14:18–31
Small Catechism, Table of Duties I-IV

Psalm 37
Psalm 101
Proverbs 10:1–23
John 14:1–17
Small Catechism, Morning & Evening Prayer and Asking a Blessing & Returning Thanks

Psalm 34
Psalm 109
Proverbs 9:1–18
John 13:21–38
Small Catechism, VI

Psalm 116
Psalm 132
Proverbs 8:22–36
John 13:1–20
Small Catechism, V

Psalm 77
Psalm 106
Proverbs 8:1–21
John 12:36b–50
Small Catechism, IV

Hosea 5:15—6:6
Psalm 119:65–72
Romans 4:13–25
Matthew 9:9–13

Psalm 36
Psalm 44
Proverbs 5:1–23
John 12:20–36a
Small Catechism, III

Psalm 119:9–16
Psalm 118
Proverbs 4:1–27
John 12:1–19
Small Catechism, II

Readings* Psalm 119:169–176 * Psalm 89 * Proverbs 3:5–24 * John 11:38–57 * Small Catechism, I PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings Psalm 72 * Psalm 63 * Proverbs 1:1–33 * John 11:1–37 * Small Catechism, Preface, 1–27 CommemorationToday we commemorate Boniface of Mainz, Missionary to the Germans*. Born in England, educated as a monk, and ordained a presbyter, Boniface decided to become a missionary. Granted a papal commission in AD 719, Boniface set to work planting, organizing, and reforming churches in Hesse, Thuringia, and Bavaria. In AD 743, now as an archbishop, Boniface was assigned to the See of Mainz. A little over a decade later, in AD 754, Boniface was martyred by a group of pagans while working in the Netherlands. Boniface is remembered for his faith and his tireless work in spreading the Word to Germanic Europe.

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Readings* Psalm 46 * Numbers 35:9–30 * Luke 24:28–53 * the Three Ecumenical Creeds PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Psalm 97 * Psalm 85 * Numbers 31:1–27 * Luke 24:1–27 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XII, 39–40 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Psalm 132 * Psalm 38 * Numbers 27:12–23 * Luke 23:26–56 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XII, 28–38 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Psalm 22 * Psalm 102 * Numbers 23:4–28 * Luke 22:47–71 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 94–96 FeastToday we observe the Visitation. While pregnant with Jesus, the Virgin Mary visited her relative, Elizabeth, who was then pregnant with John the Baptist, another child conceived under miraculous circumstances. In the presence of Christ, John ‘leaps’ in his mother’s womb, foreshadowing his role as forerunner of the Messiah. This presence of the Messiah also caused Elizabeth to proclaim Mary’s blessedness and Mary responded with the Magnificat, a summation of her place in salvation history and God’s gracious gifts.

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Readings* Psalm 94 * Psalm 149 * Numbers 22:21—23:3 * Luke 22:24–46 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 87–93 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Psalm 128 * Psalm 72 * Numbers 22:1–20 * Luke 22:1–23 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 76–86 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Psalm 135 * Psalm 58 * Numbers 21:10–35 * Luke 21:20–38 * Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, XI, 65-75 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Readings* Numbers 11:24–30 * Psalm 25:1–15 * Acts 2:1–21 * John 7:37–39 PodcastOvercastApple PodcastsSpotify

Psalm 75
Psalm 108
Daniel 6:1–28
Revelation 22:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 20-–27

Psalm 41
Daniel 4:1–37
Revelation 21:1–8
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 11–14

Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Psalm 67
Philippians 4:6–20
1 Timothy 2:1–4
Luke 17:11–19

Psalm 39
Psalm 38
Daniel 3:1–30
Revelation 20:1–15
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 6–10

Psalm 111
Psalm 92
Daniel 2:24–49
Revelation 19:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVIII, 1–5

Psalm 114
Psalm 16
Daniel 2:1–23
Revelation 18:1–24
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 64–69

Psalm 118
Daniel 1:1–21
Matthew 28:1–20
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 57–63

Psalm 20
Psalm 18
Jeremiah 38:1–28
Matthew 27:57–66
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 47–56

Psalm 22
Jeremiah 37:1–21
Matthew 27:33–56
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 40–46

Psalm 148
Jeremiah 33:1–22
Matthew 27:11–32
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 34–39

Psalm 54
Psalm 139
Jeremiah 31:1–34
Matthew 27:1–10
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 28–33

Psalm 51
Jeremiah 30:1–24
Matthew 26:57–75
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 24–27

Psalm 53
Psalm 55
Jeremiah 29:1–19
Matthew 26:36–56
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 18–23

Psalm 116
Psalm 50
Jeremiah 26:1–19
Matthew 26:20–35
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 11–17

Psalm 137
Psalm 130
Jeremiah 25:1–18
Matthew 26:1–19
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 9–10

Psalm 143
Psalm 105
Jeremiah 23:21–40
Matthew 25:31–46
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXVII, 1–8

Malachi 4:1-6
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:1–13
Luke 21:5–36

Psalm 24
Psalm 25
Jeremiah 23:1–20
Matthew 25:14–30
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 96–99

Psalm 147
Jeremiah 22:1–23
Matthew 25:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 89–95

Psalm 143
Psalm 144
Jeremiah 20:1–18
Matthew 24:29–51
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 78–88

Psalm 121
Psalm 135
Jeremiah 11:1–23
Matthew 24:1–28
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 68–77

Psalm 118
Jeremiah 8:18—9:12
Matthew 23:13–39
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 60–67

Psalm 38
Jeremiah 7:1–29
Matthew 23:1–12
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 52–59

Revelation 7:2–17
Psalm 149
1 John 3:1–3
Matthew 5:1–12

Psalm 110
Psalm 108
Jeremiah 5:1–19
Matthew 22:23–46
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 41–51

Psalm 15
Psalm 26
Jeremiah 3:6—4:2
Matthew 22:1–22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 35–40

Psalm 118
Jeremiah 1:1–19
Matthew 21:23–46
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 30–34

Psalm 150
Psalm 147
Deuteronomy 34:1–12
Matthew 21:1–22
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 27–29

Psalm 46
Psalm 115
Deuteronomy 32:28–52
Matthew 20:17–34
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 22–26

Psalm 90
Deuteronomy 31:30—32:27
Matthew 20:1–16
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 16–21

Psalm 56
Psalm 58
Deuteronomy 31:1–29
Matthew 19:16–30
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 9–15

Psalm 127
Psalm 132
Deuteronomy 30:1–20
Matthew 19:1–15
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIV, 1–8

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36
Matthew 11:12–19

Psalm 20
Psalm 25
Deuteronomy 29:1–29
Matthew 18:21–35
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 60–71

Psalm 12
Psalm 9
Deuteronomy 28:1–22
Matthew 18:1–20
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 50–59

Psalm 93
Psalm 87
Deuteronomy 27:1–26
Matthew 17:14–27
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 40–49

Psalm 99
Psalm 97
Deuteronomy 25:17—26:19
Matthew 17:1–13
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 28–39

Psalm 107
Deuteronomy 24:10—25:10
Matthew 16:13–28
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 18–27

Psalm 62
Psalm 119:137–144
Deuteronomy 21:1–23
Matthew 16:1–12
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 7–17

Psalm 142
Psalm 91
Deuteronomy 20:1–20
Matthew 15:21–39
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXIII, 1–6

Genesis 4:1–15
Psalm 5
2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18
Luke 18:9–17

Psalm 138
Psalm 140
Deuteronomy 19:1–20
Matthew 15:1–20
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXII, 9–17

Psalm 80
Deuteronomy 18:1–22
Matthew 14:22–36
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXII, 1–8

Psalm 75
Psalm 77
Deuteronomy 17:1–20
Matthew 14:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 38–44

Psalm 39
Psalm 38
Deuteronomy 15:19—16:22
Matthew 13:44–58
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 31–37

Psalm 37
Deuteronomy 14:1—15:15
Matthew 13:24–43
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 21–30

Psalm 119:33–40
Psalm 34
Deuteronomy 13:1–18
Matthew 13:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 14–20

Genesis 32:22–30
Psalm 121
2 Timothy 3:14—4:5
Luke 18:1–8

Psalm 114
Psalm 124
Deuteronomy 12:13–32
Matthew 12:38–50
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI, 1–13

Psalm 111
Psalm 115
Deuteronomy 11:26—12:12
Matthew 12:22–37
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 86–92

Psalm 119:97–104
Psalm 146
Deuteronomy 11:1–25
Matthew 12:1–21
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XX, 78–85

Psalm 23
Psalm 114
Deuteronomy 9:23—10:22
Matthew 11:20–30
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVIII, 67–76, & XIX, 77

Psalm 106
Deuteronomy 9:1–22
Matthew 11:1–19
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 61–65, & XVII, 66

Psalm 103
Deuteronomy 8:1–20
Matthew 10:24–42
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XVI, 53–60

Psalm 126
Psalm 141
Deuteronomy 7:1–19
Matthew 10:1–23
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 45–52

Psalm 121
Psalm 131
Deuteronomy 6:10–25
Matthew 9:18–38
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 31–44

Ruth 1:1–19a
Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:1–13
Luke 17:11–19

Psalm 91
Psalm 97
Deuteronomy 5:22—6:9
Matthew 9:1–17
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 22–30

Psalm 86
Deuteronomy 5:1–21
Matthew 8:18–34
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XV, 13–21

Psalm 80
Deuteronomy 4:21–40
Matthew 8:1–17
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XI, 1–12

Psalm 119:9–16
Psalm 125
Deuteronomy 4:1–20
Matthew 7:13–29
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIV, 24–28

Psalm 3
Psalm 2
Deuteronomy 3:1–29
Matthew 7:1–12
Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XIII, 14-23

Revelation 14:6–7
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19–28
John 8:31–36
Matthew 11:12–19

Amos 5:6–7, 10–15
Psalm 90:12–17
Hebrews 3:12–19
Mark 10:17–22

Genesis 2:18–25
Psalm 128
Hebrews 2:1–18
Mark 10:2–16

Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, & 24–29
Psalm 104:27–35
James 5:1–20
Mark 9:38–50

Isaiah 50:4–10
Psalm 116:1–9
James 3:1–12
Mark 9:14–29

Isaiah 35:4–7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1–10, 14–18
Mark 7:24–37