Yes, irritated. Today was our Spring SID Pastoral Conference. Among the things that I found irritating:
The Synod's CCM has apparently declared our SID convention resolution declining to participate into that money pit "Fan into Flame" as null and void.
The District Pastoral Conference did without opposition adopt a resolution telling Faith Lutheran Church of St. Louis, which has crossed the Mississippi River and planted TWO satellites in Southern Illinois, that we are deeply offended that they have done this without consultation or collaboration with our pastors, parishes, and laity. Now, the SID Pastoral Conference speaking with united voice telling Faith congregation that they're acting in a most unchurchly manner didn't irritate me - that was great! What irritated me was finding out WHERE Faith got the funding for this invasion of the Southern Illinois District and planting a "satellite" right in Edwardsville. You guessed it! Your Synod ABLAZE funds at work. They got a $50,000 grant to pull this off. Best of all? A friend of my son's mentioned to him that he really needs to try this new church. Why? "It's totally unlike a Lutheran Church, dude." RIGHT. I say, let them plant away, but they shouldn't be getting a dime from Synod for this.
And do you appreciate the irony? Here the President's appointees on the CCM chastise SID for NOT participating in a funding program that gives money to a "Lutheran" church in Missouri to plant "satellites" on this side of the river that folks don't even recognize as Lutheran! Gotta love it.
You know, irritated is, after all, probably a tad mild to describe the emotion of the moment.
30 April 2009
29 April 2009
The Body of Christ
Tonight a stranger showed up at St. Paul's - never met Eleanor before - but we soon realized she wasn't a stranger. She was a dear sister, one who shared our faith. She communed with us tonight, studied the Scriptures with us, and prayed Compline with us. She's from a sister parish on the other side of the river, and it's a long story what brought her out our way tonight. But it was just so neat to see and realize: another member of Christ's holy body, and one who shares our Lutheran confession of the holy faith, and though we'd never seen her before, and might not see her again, God gave us the joy of meeting one of our Baptismal siblings, a member of His forever family. I think she felt the same way, for she seemed right at home - which she should be. How many are the untold treasures of the body of Christ! There's something truly beautiful about that.
All the days
In Your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16
I thought about this passage as I visited with Bev's family in the hospital, and again when I heard that Rolene continued to fare poorly. He knows our days before ever we come into this world, and we leave this age, this life, at His appointment. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord!
There's comfort there for those who will take it. We don't know what today or tomorrow will bring, but we can know this: our lives are in the hands of Him who formed us, redeemed us, and has promised us the joy of a bright eternity in His Father's house. We can walk out to meet what awaits us unafraid and at peace. May that peace be with Bev, with Rolene, with all who love them, and with all whose earthly pilgrimage wends to an end.
I thought about this passage as I visited with Bev's family in the hospital, and again when I heard that Rolene continued to fare poorly. He knows our days before ever we come into this world, and we leave this age, this life, at His appointment. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord!
There's comfort there for those who will take it. We don't know what today or tomorrow will bring, but we can know this: our lives are in the hands of Him who formed us, redeemed us, and has promised us the joy of a bright eternity in His Father's house. We can walk out to meet what awaits us unafraid and at peace. May that peace be with Bev, with Rolene, with all who love them, and with all whose earthly pilgrimage wends to an end.
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
The renewal consists in this: that the Holy Spirit enlightens us, sanctifies us, works a new motivation in our understanding, will, and heart. With His power He stifles the old man within us, crucifies the flesh with its lusts; and, contrariwise, puts on us the new man.... The rebirth is performed once and is immediately completed, but the renewal extends itself throughout an entire lifetime, and will first be totally completed in eternal life. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Scholia Pietatis* p. 185
Patristic Quote of the Day
Thus the Saviour urges us to practise ever the love that transcends the Law as the root of all true and perfect devotion to God; well knowing that so, assuredly, and not otherwise, we shall be most highly approved in the sight of God, and by tracing out the Divine beauty of the love by Him implanted in us we shall attain to the enjoyment of great and perfect blessings. - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 13
28 April 2009
Day's Wrap
A busy day - full from start to finish. I'm tired and heading to bed. Tomorrow promises to be almost as busy, and then Thursday is full day at Camp Wartburg for our Spring Pastoral Conference. Looking forward to that and to seeing the brethren (and maybe a godchild or two!).
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
It is the same with the joy of faith. Without the birth pains of true repentance, faith does not come into the world. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant it!* p. 389
Patristic Quote of the Day
For you will rejoice when you see a new child born into the world, incorruptible and beyond the reach of death. Plainly He alludes to Himself here. He tells them that the joy of heart that they will have in Him cannot be taken away from them or lost. For, as Paul says, or rather as the Very Truth Itself implies, having died once for all, He dieth no more. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 16
27 April 2009
A Personal Matter
I've had a number of people ask me if I'm sick, if I'm eating, if I'm TRYING to lose weight. Just to clear up:
I don't believe I'm sick (certainly don't feel sick).
I eat three meals a day and as much as I want at each meal, plus an apple each afternoon (for example, today I ate one of Cindi's low-carb cinnabons for breakfast with a sausage patty and cheese; for lunch a 5-alarm burger sans bun on a house salad at Red Robin; for dinner two slices of low-carb pizza, another cinnabon for dessert and a huge handful of almonds).
I still eat Atkins because I simply feel better eating that way.
I am not trying to lose weight, but I am exercising very intensely three times a week (the lady at the Y refers to my "maniac workouts"), and the result has been, I think, a significant loss of body fat (which means veins sticking out everywhere - kind of icky, I agree) and with that the loss of weight. This a.m. was 142, but I'm betting body fat is something under 10%.
So, no, I don't think I'm checking out from the earthly race at the present time or any time soon (though that is in God's hands, not mine), and I'm not starving myself or any such thing. So, those of you who keep asking me about this, stop worrying! :)
I don't believe I'm sick (certainly don't feel sick).
I eat three meals a day and as much as I want at each meal, plus an apple each afternoon (for example, today I ate one of Cindi's low-carb cinnabons for breakfast with a sausage patty and cheese; for lunch a 5-alarm burger sans bun on a house salad at Red Robin; for dinner two slices of low-carb pizza, another cinnabon for dessert and a huge handful of almonds).
I still eat Atkins because I simply feel better eating that way.
I am not trying to lose weight, but I am exercising very intensely three times a week (the lady at the Y refers to my "maniac workouts"), and the result has been, I think, a significant loss of body fat (which means veins sticking out everywhere - kind of icky, I agree) and with that the loss of weight. This a.m. was 142, but I'm betting body fat is something under 10%.
So, no, I don't think I'm checking out from the earthly race at the present time or any time soon (though that is in God's hands, not mine), and I'm not starving myself or any such thing. So, those of you who keep asking me about this, stop worrying! :)
Not So Mere
Every once in a while, you will encounter a person trying to tell you that Lutherans teach that people MERELY are imputed righteous and that God forgives their sin but leaves them still in it. This ALWAYS gets my dander up, because our Symbols are very clear in expressing our teaching on this point, and that is NOT it. Rather, we teach the following:
Ap IV:78 We understand justification as the making of a righteous person out of an unrighteous one, or that a person is regenerated.
Ap IV:115 115 Nor, indeed, is this faith an idle knowledge, neither can it coexist with mortal sin.
Ap IV: 142 Likewise, the faith of which we speak exists in repentance. I mean that faith is conceived in the terrors of conscience, which feels God’s wrath against our sins and seeks forgiveness of sins, seeks to be freed from sin. In such terrors and other troubles, this faith ought to grow and be strengthened. 143 Therefore, it cannot exist in people who live by the flesh, who are delighted by their own lusts and obey them.
SA III:iii:40 In Christians, this repentance continues until death. For through one’s entire life, repentance contends with the sin remaining in the flesh. Paul testifies that he wars with the law in his members (Romans 7:14–25) not by his own powers, but by the gift of the Holy Spirit that follows the forgiveness of sins [Romans 8:1–17]. This gift daily cleanses and sweeps out the remaining sins and works to make a person truly pure and holy.
SA III:iii:44 The Holy Spirit does not permit sin to have dominion, to gain the upper hand so it can be carried out, but represses and restrains it from doing what it wants [Psalm 51:11; Romans 6:14]. If sin does what it wants, the Holy Spirit and faith are not present. 45 For St. John says, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning … and he cannot keep on sinning” [1 John 3:9]. And yet it is also true when St. John says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” [1:8].
FC SD 1:14 Fifth, this hereditary evil is so great and horrible that, only for the sake of the Lord Christ, can it be covered and forgiven before God in those baptized and believing. Furthermore, human nature, which is perverted and corrupted by original sin, must and can be healed only by the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit [Titus 3:5]. However, this healing is only begun in this life. It will not be perfect until the life to come [Ephesians 4:12–13].
FC SD 1:39 Here pious Christian hearts justly ought to consider God’s unspeakable goodness. God does not immediately cast from Himself this corrupt, perverted, sinful material into hellfire. No, He forms and makes the present human nature from it (which is sadly corrupted by sin) in order that He may cleanse it from all sin, sanctify, and save it by His dear Son.
FC SD 1:45 Third, in the article of Sanctification Scripture testifies that God cleanses, washes, and sanctifies mankind from sin [1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 1:7] and that Christ saves His people from their sins [Matthew 1:21]. Sin, therefore, cannot be a person himself. For God receives a person into grace for Christ’s sake. But God remains hostile to sin eternally.
FC SD 2:70 This is certainly true: in genuine conversion a change, new emotion, and movement in the intellect, will, and heart must take place. The heart must perceive sin, dread God’s wrath, turn from sin, see and accept the promise of grace in Christ, have good spiritual thoughts, have a Christian purpose and diligence, and fight against the flesh. Where none of these happen or are present, there is no true conversion.
So no more MERE, please. As Dr. Luther never tired of explaining this, there is grace (God's gracious pardon and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ) and the GIFT that is in grace (the Holy Spirit). The two always come together and cannot be separated, though they are always distinguished. Our righteousness before the throne of God will remain always the Divine-Human Person and finished work of the Redeemer and never the incipient righteousness that the Holy Spirit has begun and continues - really and truly - working within us.
Ap IV:78 We understand justification as the making of a righteous person out of an unrighteous one, or that a person is regenerated.
Ap IV:115 115 Nor, indeed, is this faith an idle knowledge, neither can it coexist with mortal sin.
Ap IV: 142 Likewise, the faith of which we speak exists in repentance. I mean that faith is conceived in the terrors of conscience, which feels God’s wrath against our sins and seeks forgiveness of sins, seeks to be freed from sin. In such terrors and other troubles, this faith ought to grow and be strengthened. 143 Therefore, it cannot exist in people who live by the flesh, who are delighted by their own lusts and obey them.
SA III:iii:40 In Christians, this repentance continues until death. For through one’s entire life, repentance contends with the sin remaining in the flesh. Paul testifies that he wars with the law in his members (Romans 7:14–25) not by his own powers, but by the gift of the Holy Spirit that follows the forgiveness of sins [Romans 8:1–17]. This gift daily cleanses and sweeps out the remaining sins and works to make a person truly pure and holy.
SA III:iii:44 The Holy Spirit does not permit sin to have dominion, to gain the upper hand so it can be carried out, but represses and restrains it from doing what it wants [Psalm 51:11; Romans 6:14]. If sin does what it wants, the Holy Spirit and faith are not present. 45 For St. John says, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning … and he cannot keep on sinning” [1 John 3:9]. And yet it is also true when St. John says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” [1:8].
FC SD 1:14 Fifth, this hereditary evil is so great and horrible that, only for the sake of the Lord Christ, can it be covered and forgiven before God in those baptized and believing. Furthermore, human nature, which is perverted and corrupted by original sin, must and can be healed only by the regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit [Titus 3:5]. However, this healing is only begun in this life. It will not be perfect until the life to come [Ephesians 4:12–13].
FC SD 1:39 Here pious Christian hearts justly ought to consider God’s unspeakable goodness. God does not immediately cast from Himself this corrupt, perverted, sinful material into hellfire. No, He forms and makes the present human nature from it (which is sadly corrupted by sin) in order that He may cleanse it from all sin, sanctify, and save it by His dear Son.
FC SD 1:45 Third, in the article of Sanctification Scripture testifies that God cleanses, washes, and sanctifies mankind from sin [1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 1:7] and that Christ saves His people from their sins [Matthew 1:21]. Sin, therefore, cannot be a person himself. For God receives a person into grace for Christ’s sake. But God remains hostile to sin eternally.
FC SD 2:70 This is certainly true: in genuine conversion a change, new emotion, and movement in the intellect, will, and heart must take place. The heart must perceive sin, dread God’s wrath, turn from sin, see and accept the promise of grace in Christ, have good spiritual thoughts, have a Christian purpose and diligence, and fight against the flesh. Where none of these happen or are present, there is no true conversion.
So no more MERE, please. As Dr. Luther never tired of explaining this, there is grace (God's gracious pardon and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ) and the GIFT that is in grace (the Holy Spirit). The two always come together and cannot be separated, though they are always distinguished. Our righteousness before the throne of God will remain always the Divine-Human Person and finished work of the Redeemer and never the incipient righteousness that the Holy Spirit has begun and continues - really and truly - working within us.
A Displacement?
I have wondered for years if there is a displacement involved in the Collects for Easter. You see, this past Sunday we celebrated Good Shepherd (Misericordias Domini) and the collect asked that God's people, rescued from the danger of eternal death, be given "perpetual gladness and eternal joys." But this coming Sunday is Jubilate - and joy rings through the readings indeed, culminating in our Lord's words in the Gospel: "and your joy no one will take from you." And yet the collect is rather out of tune, asking that all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's church be given faithfulness "to avoid whatever is contrary to their confession." Anyone know the scoop on this? Was the collect (which in the Gelasian Sacramentary is attached to the first Sunday outside the Easter Octave) ever attached to Jubilate rather than Misericordias Domini?
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Where else is there a Shepherd who feeds His little lambs with His own flesh and blood? -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Schola Pietatis* p. 105
Patristic Quote of the Day
They will be self-condemned therefore, He says, who refuse to hear Him and do not accept the saving faith. For He that came to illumine, came not in order to judge, but to save. He therefore that disobeys and thereby subjects himself to the greatest miseries, let him blame himself as justly punished. - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 12
The Rain
"Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; Thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water."
And with Aufdemberge's music ringing in my ears, I drove through a drenching April rain this afternoon to commune Ruth over in Greenville. Such beauty - the lush green of Spring and the sound of the rain. The creeks were beginning to churn with the extra water in the flats before you approach Greenville itself.
Ruth looked kind of down and I mentioned that to her, after we'd had devotion and communion. And she smiled a sad, but peaceful, smile and said: "I am most of the time - except when I think about Jesus. We can't get better than what He gives us." Our meditation had been on the imperishable inheritance kept for us in heaven. I held her hand and smiled. She spoke the truth of all truths - and it can cheer up a person even stuck in a nursing home with a body that no longer behaves itself.
As I drove home in the rain, through the lush green foliage, the image of Ruth sitting in her wheel chair and her face as she shared that with me stayed. And the rain kept pouring.
And with Aufdemberge's music ringing in my ears, I drove through a drenching April rain this afternoon to commune Ruth over in Greenville. Such beauty - the lush green of Spring and the sound of the rain. The creeks were beginning to churn with the extra water in the flats before you approach Greenville itself.
Ruth looked kind of down and I mentioned that to her, after we'd had devotion and communion. And she smiled a sad, but peaceful, smile and said: "I am most of the time - except when I think about Jesus. We can't get better than what He gives us." Our meditation had been on the imperishable inheritance kept for us in heaven. I held her hand and smiled. She spoke the truth of all truths - and it can cheer up a person even stuck in a nursing home with a body that no longer behaves itself.
As I drove home in the rain, through the lush green foliage, the image of Ruth sitting in her wheel chair and her face as she shared that with me stayed. And the rain kept pouring.
25 April 2009
Spring Pics from St. Paul's
Lilacs by office door
In front of church
Nature's first green is gold...
Looking up to the front entranceOld Lutheran Quote of the Day
For God gives us our natural life so that we through it should contemplate the spiritual and eternal life. And without such spiritual life, natural life is to be regarded more as death than a life. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Scholia Pietatis* p. 45
Patristic Quote of the Day
For of the believer he says that he shall have everlasting life, of the unbeliever, the word hath a different significance. For he does not say that he shall not have life: for he shall be raised by the common law of the resurrection; but he says that he shall not see life, that is, he shall not so much as arrive at the bare sight of the life of the saints, he shall not touch their blessedness, he shall remain untasting of their life passed in bliss. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 3
Day of St. Mark
Today our Synod commemorates St. Mark, the Evangelist. From the *Treasury* (p. 1291):St. Mark was the author of the second Gospel, which he composed, according to some Early Church Fathers, when the Christians in Rome asked him to write down the preaching of the apostle Peter. Mark, also known as John Mark, was originally from Jerusalem, where the house of his mother Mary was the center of the early Jerusalem Church (Acts 12:12)...Tradition says that Mark was instrumental in founding the Church in Alexandria, becoming its first bishop, and also that he suffered a martyr's death.
Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Collect, LSB)
For Mark, O Lord, we praise You,
The weak by grace made strong,
Whose labors and whose Gospel
Enrich our triumph song.
May we, in all our weakness,
Reflect Your servant life
And follow in Your footsteps,
Enduring cross and strife. (LSB 518:15)
And not only did Cindi run a 5-K today
...but she won third place in her age and gender group (aka: the old ladies!). Wow!!! My wife, the jock!
24 April 2009
I Was One Proud Daddy Tonight
as I watched Bekah sing and act and steal the show (which is what Ado Annie is supposed to do). She was GREAT! Here are some pics - maybe more later:
Bekah, Dustin Shimkus (Ali Hakim) and Andrew Carnes (Brandon Russell)
Bekah and David Shimkus (Will Parker)
Bekah
Bekah, Dustin Shimkus (Ali Hakim) and Andrew Carnes (Brandon Russell)
Bekah and David Shimkus (Will Parker)
Bekah
900+
Today's the first day that in my cardio I burned 900+ calories in my 50 minutes of cardio. My goal is to get up to 1,000 without increasing my time.
23 April 2009
Some Quasimodogeniti Poetry
that my internet acquaintance and friend, Pr. Harvey Mozolak, has written and given me permission to share:
Easter 2
John 20. 19-31
unnailed
Harvey S. Mozolak
a door is an entrance
and barred protection
he was both
as he stood among them
his hands and side
had taken wounds
their guarding grace
the scars now locks
that kept them free
in the joy of greeting
his words breathed
peace and sending
the hands they handle on the latch
his feet the threshold to the new
supporting through the blessing
lintels of his limbs and heart
to share and touch
beyond the wind sprung
opening
Easter 2
didymal verse
Harvey S. Mozolak
i.
seen and believed
hands that could only clasp the cold
piercing of death's hold
the feet that failed finally
to lift the lungs to breath
the side that opened
to allow the point of hate
to rip the heart to sate
in water and blood
touch Thomas
ii.
and did he touch?
the cross a hammer
the resurrection its claw
cleft upon the coffin
Thomas' fingers
a curved questioning fulcrum
Easter 2
marked
Harvey S. Mozolak
was the wound smooth and well-healed
in heaven's perfection
polished under pressure
like a jewel for millennia
yet only worn a week
or crusted with caked blood
crowning the scar
in a mounted remembrance
of the coarse made plain
or still tender without pain
places where the earth's suffering
entered God?
the peace of knowing him
identifying the living body
by the scars of death
probes Thomas
and notches a hold
Easter 2
appearance
Harvey S. Mozolak
they hid from the cross
ran in fear from the grave
now in terror they lock the door
set a scar to bar being wounded
with a peace
that can be touched
even the walls bleed belief
joy joists earth to heaven
at the crucifix nailed in sight
Easter 2
John 20. 19-31
trembling soul
Harvey S. Mozolak
did Thomas touch?
he was offered
a clinical probe
a psychological crutch
a spiritual splint
for his own scars
and impaled hope
or did he hug
and embrace
the rising belief
that beat
from his heart
to his finger tips?
Easter 2
John 20. 19-31
unnailed
Harvey S. Mozolak
a door is an entrance
and barred protection
he was both
as he stood among them
his hands and side
had taken wounds
their guarding grace
the scars now locks
that kept them free
in the joy of greeting
his words breathed
peace and sending
the hands they handle on the latch
his feet the threshold to the new
supporting through the blessing
lintels of his limbs and heart
to share and touch
beyond the wind sprung
opening
Easter 2
didymal verse
Harvey S. Mozolak
i.
seen and believed
hands that could only clasp the cold
piercing of death's hold
the feet that failed finally
to lift the lungs to breath
the side that opened
to allow the point of hate
to rip the heart to sate
in water and blood
touch Thomas
ii.
and did he touch?
the cross a hammer
the resurrection its claw
cleft upon the coffin
Thomas' fingers
a curved questioning fulcrum
Easter 2
marked
Harvey S. Mozolak
was the wound smooth and well-healed
in heaven's perfection
polished under pressure
like a jewel for millennia
yet only worn a week
or crusted with caked blood
crowning the scar
in a mounted remembrance
of the coarse made plain
or still tender without pain
places where the earth's suffering
entered God?
the peace of knowing him
identifying the living body
by the scars of death
probes Thomas
and notches a hold
Easter 2
appearance
Harvey S. Mozolak
they hid from the cross
ran in fear from the grave
now in terror they lock the door
set a scar to bar being wounded
with a peace
that can be touched
even the walls bleed belief
joy joists earth to heaven
at the crucifix nailed in sight
Easter 2
John 20. 19-31
trembling soul
Harvey S. Mozolak
did Thomas touch?
he was offered
a clinical probe
a psychological crutch
a spiritual splint
for his own scars
and impaled hope
or did he hug
and embrace
the rising belief
that beat
from his heart
to his finger tips?
Homily for Misericordias Domini - Third Sunday of Easter
[Ezekiel 34:11-16 / 1 Peter 2:21-25 / John 10:11-16]Today’s readings certainly contain one of the most powerful and loved images of the Lord Jesus: that of the Good Shepherd. But it is not in drawing parallels between how shepherds take care of their flocks and how Jesus takes care of His church that we find the Good News in today’s Gospel reading. Rather, the Good News is found precisely in that thing which marks Jesus off as unique among the shepherds of the world, that marks Him as alone having the title “Good.” Did you catch it in the reading? Jesus said: “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Now shepherds are, of course, duty bound to do all sorts of things for their flocks. They have to water them, they have to feed them, they have to provide them with some sense of security and safety from marauding canines. But what no earthly shepherd is obliged to do is to give his life for the flock. Rather, with us it’s the other way around. The flock gives their life so that the shepherd can eat and live.
Not so with Jesus. Jesus doesn’t talk about doing any of the typical shepherd tasks in our reading. He speaks only of laying down his life, of knowing his sheep, of calling and gathering a single flock together.
The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Why? Jesus answers simply: “Because he owns them.” They are his. Marked as his own. But they are his in a way that is beyond the mere notion of property, of good investment. No, for who would die, who would give their life so that an investment might go on living? No one. Jesus doesn’t view his flock as so much wealth. After all, his flock has nothing about it that enriches Him! Rather, He cares about His sheep so much because He loves them. That, to Jesus, is the same thing as saying that He owns them. The Sheep belong to Him precisely so that they can be loved and given life. Jesus, as is His way, turns the whole thing upside down, sets it on its head.
Over against the Good Shepherd, He sets the hired hand, who watches out for the flock only so far as it doesn’t endanger him. If danger comes along, the hireling is out of there! He’s not about to risk life or limb for some sheep that he doesn’t even own. No way. “He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” Again, Jesus equates caring for the sheep with owning them. Two sides of the same coin.
And from that care there flows knowledge. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” Think of what that means! You get a hint when you recall the opposite: what it means to have Jesus Christ say to you on the Last Day: “I never knew you.” When Jesus says that He knows His sheep He means more, though, than just that He has some mental of knowledge of who truly believes and who is only playing at believing, who is a hypocrite. No, Jesus compares His knowledge of the sheep to the way that His Father knows Him and He knows the Father. That is a full, complete knowing and sharing.
Jesus knows His sheep because He knows us in the stark reality of our sinfulness. He doesn’t pretend otherwise. He knows you, my friend. Knows you inside and out. Knows you better than you could even begin to know yourself. He knows you even in the depth of your sin, because He himself knew that depth on His cross. And He came to lay down His life for you. Not only because He knew you, but that you might come to know Him.
“And My own know me.” To know Him as the One who lays an absolute claim on your life, who says that you are His, that you belong to Him. To know Him as the One who not only owns you, not only knows you through and through in all your failure, your sin, your despair and struggles, but the One who loves you. The depth of His love was in the depth of His knowing was in the death of Your sin and mine on Him: the cross. There is the measure of measureless love. There we come to know Him for who He really is. Not just a good Shepherd, but THE Good Shepherd. The One who gives His life for the sheep. “As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.” All of this, of course, is His gift to you in the waters of Holy Baptism - in which you were marked with the sign of the cross, named as belonging to the Crucified forever. There you get to know Him as your Good Shepherd indeed.
But Jesus will not leave you enjoying all of that alone. He goes on to say: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.”
Oh, no! The others! In the early Church, the “others” were the Gentiles. Nation after nation. Jesus is always in the business of gathering in the others. And notice who does the verbs. He does. “I must bring them also!” Jesus is the bringer, the gatherer of His flock. But have you ever taken a look, I mean an honest, hard look at the flock that Jesus gathers to Himself from around this world. There are people in that flock that are not like us. There are people in that flock that not only are not like us, but that left to ourselves, we couldn’t even like. And yet Jesus is the one who keeps on bringing them in.
And how is it all going to hold together? How is it possible for there to really be only one flock and only one Shepherd? How? Listen again: “And they will listen to My voice; and there will be one flock, one Shepherd.” The Word of God will be the unity of the Church on earth. In the Word of God, in the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, His sheep can be one flock. In the voice that announces that He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep, who knows the sheep through and through, who unites the sheep. All division of Christendom will come to an end, when everything else falls away which wants to be heard next to this one voice and to demand attention. Only then and in that way can we know the one flock under one Shepherd.
Under the One Shepherd in all the world who gives His life for the sheep, who knows the sheep and whose sheep know Him. His voice alone alone can unite the human family and cause us to be one again. His voice, His voice alone, let us hear and heed. And to Him be the glory with His all-holy Father and His life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages! Amen.
Not to be missed
is the interesting reading from Exodus which is indicated, but not contained, in the Treasury today. Note the repeated "as it has been shown you on the mountain, so it shall be made." Note the closer into the holy of holies the preponderance of gold and how as you move outward, silver, and finally bronze. Note the repeated use of color: blue, scarlet, purple. Note the bells that tinkle on Aaron's robe as he moves. Note Aaron carrying the children of Israel on his shoulders and on his heart as "regular remembrance before the Lord." Note the vestments "for glory and for beauty." Note the careful following of the Lord's prescriptions and the repeated: "so that he does not die." Note the whatever touches the altar becomes holy. The perpetual lambs - one each morning, one each evening. And the incense - morning and evening to the Lord. And the holy oil. Good stuff there, and much that Hebrews helps unpack. And much to tie into what I wrote earlier about liturgy as LIFE.
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
The preaching of the Resurrection is accordingly the focal point of all preaching that may rightly be called evangelical. The whole work of Jesus and faith in Him are in vain without the Resurrection. -- Blessed Wilhelm Loehe, *Aphorisms* p. 24
Patristic Quote of the Day
I die (He says) for all, that I may quicken all by Myself, and I made My Flesh a Ransom for the flesh of all. For death shall die in My Death, and with Me shall rise again (He says) the fallen nature of man. For for this became I like to you, Man (that is) and of the seed of Abraham, that I might be made like in all things unto My brethren. The blessed Paul himself also, well understanding what Christ just now said to us says, Forasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. For no otherwise was it possible that he that hath the power of death should be destroyed, and death itself also, had not Christ given Himself for us, a Ransom, One for all, for He was in behalf of all. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 6
22 April 2009
I have always loved
an Irish accent (one of the reasons I so love the High Kings, I think). In Garfield, where I vicared, we had a little food joint down around the corner from the church that was run by two ladies from Ireland. I could sit and listen to them talk all day! They also made some of the best burgers I've ever tasted - they insisted the key to a good burger is never to use frozen meat - only fresh. But that's beside the point. What I didn't realize was that one of the keys to mimicking their sweet Irish accent is that the focal point of the speech is in front of the mouth - not even behind the teeth, like so much of American English or British English, but literally out in front of the mouth itself. Try it! It's amazing how well it works! (And no, I never noticed that there IS a focal point to where different languages or accents are spoken - but there obviously is!).
Enjoy these pics
from the Triduum this year at Riga Cathedral. Yes, Lutherans swinging incense, washing feet, lining up to venerate the cross. I want to move!!! :)
Lutheran Riga Cathedral
Lutheran Riga Cathedral
Ah, the joy...
...walking home from Compline in the gloaming with the wondrous smell of lilacs borne on the spring breeze of evening. What a world!
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
In his time St. Paul was slandered as a man who had no love for his people, and yet he it was who as a morning star of Zion lifted up light and sun over all the Gentiles. -- Blessed Wilhelm Loehe, *Aphorisms* p. 16
Patristic Quote of the Day
Accordingly, the father of sin used to put us in Hades like sheep, delivering us over to death as our shepherd, according to what is said in the Psalms: but the really Good Shepherd died for our sakes, that He might take us out of the dark pit of death and prepare to enfold us among the companies of heaven, and give unto us mansions above, even with the Father, instead of dens situate in the depths of the abyss or the recesses of the sea. Wherefore also He somewhere says to us: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 10
Tis that time...
WHEN lilacs last in the door-yard bloom’d,
And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,
I mourn’d—and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.
O ever-returning spring! trinity sure to me you bring;
Lilac blooming perennial, and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.
[And I am not a fan of Lincoln, to say the least, but Whitman's words ALWAYS come to mind when the lilacs are in full bloom...]
And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,
I mourn’d—and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.
O ever-returning spring! trinity sure to me you bring;
Lilac blooming perennial, and drooping star in the west,
And thought of him I love.
[And I am not a fan of Lincoln, to say the least, but Whitman's words ALWAYS come to mind when the lilacs are in full bloom...]
21 April 2009
Last Thought for the Night...
...have you ever contemplated that the first act of the resurrected Lord was apparently to make His bed? John 20:6,7. Gives new meaning to "our God is...a God of order" eh?
Sunday's Bible Study: On Liturgical Colors
Introduction
Blame Gary Mueth. It was his suggestion! But a good one: a review of the colors used in the Church year and WHY they are used for different times. Just as Joseph of old (a prime type of Christ our Lord) had a coat of many colors, so does the Church celebrate our Lord's life as a coat of many colors too!
Gold
Although St. Paul’s doesn’t have gold paraments (the term for the hangings upon the altar, pulpit, and lectern) or vestments (the pastor’s stole and chasuble), this color is used ONLY for Easter and its week. Why gold? Gold is the color of riches and glory - and we confess that by His resurrection Christ has earned for us a treasure that is even greater than gold or silver: an inheritance! See 1 Peter 1:3-5. Gold is a theme that runs through the description of our heavenly inheritance in Revelation (see 1: 13; 4:4; 5:8; 8:3; 21:18; 21:21)
White
White is upon the altar throughout the season of Easter and at Christmastime and on All Saints. It is also used on days commemorating saints who did not die martyr’s deaths (such as St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist). White symbolizes perfection, celebration, divinity, joy. Check out the white that shows up in these passages: Mark 9:2,3; John 20:12; Revelation 7:13,14.
Purple and Scarlet
Purple and scarlet are the ancient color of royalty. They’ve become in the Church colors associated with our Lord’s Passion, and hence, with the season of Lent: Matthew 27:27-29; Mark 15:16-17. If a Church has scarlet, it is used for Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday. Purple is used for the remainder of Lent.
Red
Red, the color of blood (Revelation 6:7) and of fire, is used in the Church whenever she celebrates the days of martyrs (who shed their blood for Christ) or on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended in tongues as of fire and on “churchy” occasions: dedication of church or ordination. Red reminds us of Tertullian's famous saying: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Blue
Blue is the color of the sky, our eternal hope. Thus it is especially associated with Advent, with Christ’s coming to bring us to our home in heaven. See Exodus 24:10. In the church’s art, the color blue is also closely associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and thus the tie in to Advent is also obvious.
Green
Green is the most widely used color of the Church year, it’s “ordinary color” if you will. Green signfies growth and we stay green and fruitful as we live our lives by the streams of God’s Word and Sacraments: Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7-8; John 15:5; Rev. 22:1-2
Black
Black is the color of darkness, of death, of ashes, of sorrow and grief. It is used on Days of Penitence and Prayer in the Church and can be used on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Esther 4:1; Daniel 9:3; Micah 3:6; Matthew 27:45.
Conclusion: Through her creative use of color, the Church seeks to raise our hearts and minds to the wonderful things that our God has done for us in Jesus Christ; to call us to repentance; to keep us mindful of the Word of God that keeps us in saving faith; to help us together proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!
Blame Gary Mueth. It was his suggestion! But a good one: a review of the colors used in the Church year and WHY they are used for different times. Just as Joseph of old (a prime type of Christ our Lord) had a coat of many colors, so does the Church celebrate our Lord's life as a coat of many colors too!
Gold
Although St. Paul’s doesn’t have gold paraments (the term for the hangings upon the altar, pulpit, and lectern) or vestments (the pastor’s stole and chasuble), this color is used ONLY for Easter and its week. Why gold? Gold is the color of riches and glory - and we confess that by His resurrection Christ has earned for us a treasure that is even greater than gold or silver: an inheritance! See 1 Peter 1:3-5. Gold is a theme that runs through the description of our heavenly inheritance in Revelation (see 1: 13; 4:4; 5:8; 8:3; 21:18; 21:21)
White
White is upon the altar throughout the season of Easter and at Christmastime and on All Saints. It is also used on days commemorating saints who did not die martyr’s deaths (such as St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist). White symbolizes perfection, celebration, divinity, joy. Check out the white that shows up in these passages: Mark 9:2,3; John 20:12; Revelation 7:13,14.
Purple and Scarlet
Purple and scarlet are the ancient color of royalty. They’ve become in the Church colors associated with our Lord’s Passion, and hence, with the season of Lent: Matthew 27:27-29; Mark 15:16-17. If a Church has scarlet, it is used for Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday. Purple is used for the remainder of Lent.
Red
Red, the color of blood (Revelation 6:7) and of fire, is used in the Church whenever she celebrates the days of martyrs (who shed their blood for Christ) or on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended in tongues as of fire and on “churchy” occasions: dedication of church or ordination. Red reminds us of Tertullian's famous saying: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
Blue
Blue is the color of the sky, our eternal hope. Thus it is especially associated with Advent, with Christ’s coming to bring us to our home in heaven. See Exodus 24:10. In the church’s art, the color blue is also closely associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, and thus the tie in to Advent is also obvious.
Green
Green is the most widely used color of the Church year, it’s “ordinary color” if you will. Green signfies growth and we stay green and fruitful as we live our lives by the streams of God’s Word and Sacraments: Psalm 1:1-3; Jeremiah 17:7-8; John 15:5; Rev. 22:1-2
Black
Black is the color of darkness, of death, of ashes, of sorrow and grief. It is used on Days of Penitence and Prayer in the Church and can be used on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Esther 4:1; Daniel 9:3; Micah 3:6; Matthew 27:45.
Conclusion: Through her creative use of color, the Church seeks to raise our hearts and minds to the wonderful things that our God has done for us in Jesus Christ; to call us to repentance; to keep us mindful of the Word of God that keeps us in saving faith; to help us together proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!
Shamelessly hijacked...
...from my friend, -C. A poem by that famous Lutheran writer, John Updike:
Seven Stanzas at Easter
by John Updike
Make no mistake: if He rose at all
it was as His body;
if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules
reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.
It was not as the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled
eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His flesh: ours.
The same hinged thumbs and toes,
the same valved heart
that–pierced–died, withered, paused, and then
regathered out of enduring Might
new strength to enclose.
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the
faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door.
The stone is rolled back, not papier-mâché,
not a stone in a story,
but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow
grinding of time will eclipse for each of us
the wide light of day.
And if we will have an angel at the tomb,
make it a real angel,
weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair,
opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen
spun on a definite loom.
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are
embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
Seven Stanzas at Easter
by John Updike
Make no mistake: if He rose at all
it was as His body;
if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules
reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.
It was not as the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled
eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His flesh: ours.
The same hinged thumbs and toes,
the same valved heart
that–pierced–died, withered, paused, and then
regathered out of enduring Might
new strength to enclose.
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the
faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door.
The stone is rolled back, not papier-mâché,
not a stone in a story,
but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow
grinding of time will eclipse for each of us
the wide light of day.
And if we will have an angel at the tomb,
make it a real angel,
weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair,
opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen
spun on a definite loom.
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are
embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
Commemoration of St. Anselm
Today our Synod commemorates St. Anselm of Canterbury. The Treasury offers a beautiful meditation for the day (p. 1290) from his pen, of which I offer a snippet:"Therefore God's restoring man is more wonderful than his creating man, inasmuch as it is done for the sinner contrary to what he deserves; while the action of creation was not for the sinner and was not in opposition to what man deserved."
My friend, Dr. Matthew Phillips (Concordia University, NE) did an issues show on the good saint:
Issues, Etc.
For Your servant, Anselm, O Christ God, glory to You!
An Apologia for the Historic Liturgy
That I support the use of the historic liturgy should come as no surprise to the readers of this blog. But why? Is it because I am drawn to the music? to the pageantry? to the "style"? That I enjoy the swinging of thuribles the way that another person enjoys the back beat of a rock song? No, no, no, no. You see, I am simply convinced that LIFE is liturgical. God created us and placed humanity into this world to be the priest of His creation, to receive from Him His good gifts and to offer up a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. He created us to live in the joy of His presence, to find LIFE in communion with Him. The historic liturgy testifies to this Biblical vision of reality.
"It is indeed meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, Your only Son...and so with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying: Holy, holy, holy...Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"
These words confess that the liturgy is meant not to be a blip in time or confined to some Church building. They confess that all of our life, when that life is found in Jesus Christ, is to be doxology. St. Paul put it like this: "That we might BE to the praise of His glory" (Eph 1:12). And this fills the Scriptures! Think of it:
Genesis is filled with liturgy from the get go: inside Eden where God walked and talked with men; outside Eden where the way of sacrifice begins and the theme of priest and sacrifice begin to ring through! From Cain and Abel to Melchizedek to the Sacrifice of Isaac. When the Lord was about to bring His people out of Egypt, He told Moses that the sign of being brought out was that "you shall serve God on this mountain." (Ex 3:12). When Pharaoh is ready to release the people, but not their property, Moses gives a most peculiar answer - and we must believe he spoke the utter truth: "You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. Our livestock also must go with us, not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the Lord our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there." (Ex 10:25,26) And when they arrive at the holy mountain, God explains His purpose to Moses: "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all people, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the people of Israel." (Ex. 19:5,6) And so the Psalmist could sing: "Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in your praise!" (Psalm 106:47)
Being a priestly people was fraught with difficulty. For due to the fall, it was entirely possibly for the cultic to come unglued from the spiritual reality of the heart. God through His prophets everywhere decries this: "This people draws near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13) Despite the carefully given instructions and the warning that circumcision must be of the heart and not only in the flesh - that is, that inner and outer self should not come disconnected, yet the old covenant hobbled along only able to point toward the true liturgical life, and being itself but a most imperfect sign of it. It clearly taught that all is gift of the Lord, that He has claim over all things, that the wage sin pays is death, that the gift God would give is life, that thanksgiving is what we were made for.
Consider especially the way that Eden is described in Isaiah 51:3: "For the Lord comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song." So where Zion, there a taste of Eden restored, there joy (always the byproduct of the Lord's presence - see Psalm 16:11), there thanksgiving and there the voice of song. Get that and you'll understand then what the Lord is up to in establishing His Church in this fallen world (amid the waste places and the wilderness and the desert). He's planting here on our fallen soil a colony of Eden, a piece of the age to come, where the thanksgiving is perpetual, where the songs never end.
And so in the vision of the NT, as all that was imperfect in the Old Covenant and its worship is brought to completion and filled to the brim and then overflowing by Christ our Lord, we see that His whole life is liturgy, is praise, is thanksgiving, is communion with the Father, is offering of sacrifice that never comes unglued outer from the inner, that is whole and complete and perfect. He is PRIEST. Dr. Luther once said of this: "Priest is a strong and lovely word. There is no lovelier or sweeter name on earth. It is much better to hear that Christ is called 'Priest' than Lord, or any other name. Priesthood is a spiritual power which means no other than that the priest steps forth, and takes all the iniquities of the people upon Himself as His very own. He intercedes with God for them and receives from Him the Word with which He can comfort and help the people.... By being priest He makes God our Father and Himself our Lord... He offered Himself once for all, so that He is both Priest and Sacrifice, and the Altar is the Cross. No more precious sacrifice could He offer to God than that He gave Himself to be slain and consumed in the fire of love. That is the true sacrifice." (Exposition of Genesis 14, Day by Day, p. 151)
Christ offers the perfect liturgy, receiving all as gift, offering all in thanksgiving to the Father. Because of the fall, we imagine vainly that life is something we have to cling to to possess; Christ flat out tells us that's a lie. That it is in the pouring out of life that one receives a life that never can be taken from you. The One who is consumed as an offering in the fire of divine love is given a life that can never ever end!
And this is the life that He has baptized us into - His own indestructible life. This is the life that He has poured down our throats in the Eucharist - His own indestructible life. And so it is and must be the shape of our lives in this world: sacrifices! For we have no other life than HIS, and His life is constantly a life for others, a life given away and so eternal.
So note the sacrificial, liturgical language of the New Testament writers! It's everywhere. Here are but a few: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM who called you out of darkness, into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9 "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His own blood and MADE US A KINGDOM, PRIESTS TO SERVE HIS GOD AND FATHER, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev. 1:5,6 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 "Because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:15,16 "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31 "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Cor. 5:14,15 "For we are the temple of the living God, as God said... Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Cor. 6:16-7:1 "Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph 5:2 "Let there be no filthiness or foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Eph 5:4 "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus." Eph 5:20 "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all." Phil. 2:17 "Put to death what is earthly in you." (that is, sacrifice it!) Col. 3:5 "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." Col. 4:2 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thes. 5:16-17 "I desire then that in every place men should pray, lifting up holy hands." 1 Tim 2:8 "Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." 1 Tim 4:4,5 "We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat....Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:10-16
Oh, so many, many more. But does it begin to come clear? LIFE was meant to be liturgy and because we fell from that perpetual thanksgiving and joy of God's presence, our Lord came, and He came to be Priest and Sacrifice, to atone for sin, and to open up the way for us to find LIFE again - and that life, as His life, will be liturgical. Where all is gift from a God who loves and where the praise and thanksgiving redound to Him for the gifts received and where we are privileged to suffer and offer our sufferings under His own as praise to the Father of lights. Liturgy is LIFE and Life is Liturgy. This the Church's historic liturgy witnesses to us with great faithfulness - for life is all about praise of God, listening to God's Word, confessing the faith to others, offering prayers of intercession and gifts of love - thus carrying the burdens of others - and receiving from His nail-scarred hands the gifts of His body, His blood, His forgiveness, His life, communion with Him and in Him with all the saints and angels. Do you see? It's not merely the Church service I've described; it's LIFE, life as God meant it to be and as He is restoring it to be in His Church.
And then there are the glimpses we get of the heavenly worship - Hebrews 12 and Revelation - and it all is very familiar. The throng of all peoples gathered with angels and archangels around the throne of the Lamb and acclaiming the blood that has purchased them for God, falling down before Him, giving glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Spirit forever and ever! The white robes, the golden censors, the prayers of the saints, the martyrs and angels. It's where all of life is headed: a world of endless doxology, communion, and joy in the Lamb.
Pardon the length of the post, but I wanted to put it out there for consideration. And I'll close with the responsory for Easter:
Sing to the Lord and bless His name! Proclaim His salvation from day to day!
Give to the Lord glory and strength! Give Him the honor due His name. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that sleep!
Give to the Lord glory and strength! Give Him the honor due His name. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!
Give to the Lord glory and strength! Give Him the honor due His name. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Truth
Most pastors have themselves no conception of their office and hence lack all basis and confidence for their public activity. They exercise their office as though they had no right to do so, fainthearted, intimidated by every Tom, Dick, or Harry. What a wretched pity!
And Loehe wrote that WHEN??? Wow!
And Loehe wrote that WHEN??? Wow!
You know...
...it's only quarter after noon, and I have 54 emails in the inbox that arrived TODAY. There's something wrong with this whole crazy way of communicating!!! But I'd much rather have 54 emails than 54 phone calls. :)
Patristic Quote of the Day
For the blessed Moses also let down the line of instruction, that is, by the letter of the Law; but this was fishing on the left side, the commandment of Christ unto us being on the right. For incomparably greater, then, and far exceeding in honour and glory the commandments of the Law, is the teaching of Christ; for the reality greatly surpasses the type, and the Master the servant, and the grace of the Spirit, which justifies, surpasses the letter, which condemneth. Christ's teaching, therefore, is placed on the right, the right hand signifying to us its superiority over the Law and the prophets. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 21
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Not until the letters of Paul, the great apostle to the world and to the Gentiles, do we see the clear continuation of that holy doctrine of the Lord Jesus which is set before us in John 15-17. What is here pictured in the image of the Vine and explained in unspeakably beautiful and profound discourses returns in Paul in the image of the temple and the body of Christ. The body, as it is joined and knit together by every joint from the Head; the temple, as it is built and raised up to God's glory upon Christ the cornerstone and upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets; the one, holy, universal, apostolic Church stands before Paul's eyes in a brilliance that fills with joy and amazement all who think the apostle's thoughts after him as they read his words. Here is a kingdom and a building not of this world, elevated beyond all human conceptions, surely constructed, certain of consummation amid all storms, worthy of our patience, sacrifice, and ardor. -- Blessed Wilhelm Loehe, *Aphorisms* p. 13
20 April 2009
Today is Risen!
[from the Heirs of the Reformation CD, this is a powerful and beautiful piece! The Alleluias on the recording are endlessly jubilant - a setting by Lutheran composer Melchior Vulpius.]
Today is risen Christ the Lord; Alleluia!
He doth for all men hope afford. Alleluia!
The pangs of death He did endure, Alleluia!
And gave to mortal men a cure. Alleluia!
"Go, bring His disciples word: Alleluia!
Today is risen Christ the Lord!" Alleluia!
Now let us in these Easter days, Alleluia!
To Triune God bring joyful praise. Alleluia!
Today is risen Christ the Lord; Alleluia!
He doth for all men hope afford. Alleluia!
The pangs of death He did endure, Alleluia!
And gave to mortal men a cure. Alleluia!
"Go, bring His disciples word: Alleluia!
Today is risen Christ the Lord!" Alleluia!
Now let us in these Easter days, Alleluia!
To Triune God bring joyful praise. Alleluia!
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Today, however, we see Him triumphant while Satan writhes, powerless, his head crushed beneath the feet of the almighty Victor. For the sake of our sin, having once wrestled with death and having been swallowed up as death's prey with open vengeance, He is now clothed with a glorious body, and the sting of death has been broken. -- C .F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* pp. 366, 367
Patristic Quote of the Day
Blessed, therefore, shall be the lot of every man that believeth through the voice of the holy Apostles, which were eye-witnesses of Christ's actions, and ministers of the Word, as Luke says. To them must we hearken if we are enamoured of life eternal, and cherish in our hearts the desire to abide in the mansions above. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 20
19 April 2009
Final Thought for the Evening
from this morning's Psalm... have you ever pondered the force of the singular in Psalm 33:20,21:
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
A single soul, a single heart. Ours. Behold, the body of Christ!
Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
A single soul, a single heart. Ours. Behold, the body of Christ!
Vacation Over!
In between family fun time today I got a jump on this coming week's activities. Bulletin has already been drawn up and sent to Joanie together with the Bible study for Wednesday evening (we'll be studying several of the great Easter hymns during the Easter season - this week is Starke's fine "All the Earth" - see below). Week's activities are mapped out (it's a full one!), concluding this coming weekend with Oklahoma! at Metro - Bekah plays the part of Ado Annie. We've had children in Metro's musicals for the last SEVEN years, but this is the very last time. This has been a year of lasts for us. So, deep breath, set the alarm and off we go!
Our DADDY ain't he precious!?
This is what he does with his spare time.
~Bekah and Lauren
his *fav* daughters
Quasimodogeniti...
Like newborn infants, Alleluia!long for the pure spiritual milk of the Word. Alleluia!
Sing aloud to God our strength,
Shout for joy to the God of Jacob...
Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord's resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God...
Alleluia! He has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee. Alleluia!
Eight days later Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Alleluia!
[A Homily from Yesteryear]
Did you catch the pattern? Sunday. Disciples gathered. Doors shut. Jesus. The sight of His wounds in a living bopdy. Overflowing joy. Commissioning to carry forgiveness out into the world.
But Thomas missed the gathering. Maybe he was golfing. Maybe he was finshing. Maybe he was moping. Maybe his siesta lasted a bit longer than usual. We’re not told why he wasn’t there, and there’s a reason for that.
Because it doesn’t matter WHY he wasn’t there. The only thing that matters is that he missed out. And look at what happened because he missed out on the gathering where Jesus came to his disciples behind the closed doors to bring them joy flowing from the wounds and the Spirit breath of His words and the commission! Thomas refuses to believe.
Thomas in his unbelief lays down his conditions. He’s got to see with his own eyes those wounds and touch them. Then he’ll see about believing.
And the Lord could have appeared to Thomas on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday or Saturday. Any of them would have done. But the Lord didn’t. He let Thomas stew in his unbelief for a solid week. And then look at what happened. Deja vu!
Sunday. Disciples gathered. Doors shut. Jesus. The sight of His wounds. Overflowing joy. This time the truant was present and the presence of Jesus in the midst of the gathered disciples brings Thomas from unbelief to full-blast confession: “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus responds to that. Thomas had been brought to faith by seeing. By seeing the wounds in hands and side He came to confess that His Lord and His God had been raised from the dead just as He had promised He would be. But Jesus is setting a pattern now and he is thinking of more than Thomas on that night. He is thinking of you. And so he says to Thomas: “You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
But if it will not be the seeing of Jesus that brings to faith, then what? The Gospel holds the answer. It’s all about what happens on the First Day of the week, which is also the 8th day, the day beyond all our sevens - one of which carries us to death. On the First and 8th Day, a miracle. The disciples of Jesus gather. And into their midst comes the Risen One. He comes with His wounds, His Spirit, His breath, AND His Words. “These have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
In the gathering of His people together, the miracle happens again and again. Even though there is more Jesus than can ever be fit into a book, nevertheless He has given His people a book around which to gather. A book where the breath of Jesus that is the Spirit of God still blows to call from unbelief to faith. A book that is opened and read. Words. Concrete words. Words about Jesus. Jesus’ own words. The Spirit breathed them all. They all come from and are all about Jesus. And we read them and when we do, it is not just a matter of remembering Jesus. No. We confess that Jesus is with us in His Words. That’s why we stand. That’s why we shout out: “Alleluia!” in greeting to the One who comes to us in His words. The One who had promised: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My words and My Father will love Him and We will come to Him and make Our home with him.” (Jn 14:23)
But the One who comes to us in His words is the One who comes to us showing the wounds and speaking peace and bringing joy. And so when the words of Jesus are spoken over bread and wine, then we have what the words of Jesus say: This is my body, given for you. This is my blood, shed for you. Thomas was invited to touch and believe. You are invited to believe and taste. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Body and blood correspond to the wounds, for you only get body and blood separated from one another when there is a wound. So it is His death that is proclaimed every time we gather together and He feeds us with His body and His blood. You can’t see it from where you sit, but a reminder of it is upon the altar cloth. Five little crosses. Two on each end and one in the middle. What are they there for? To be pretty? Hardly! They are there by way of confession that what is placed upon this altar cloth is what resulted from five piercings: two in the hands, two in the feet, and one in the side. They are there to confess that on the altar is the very body and blood which hung upon the cross for you. That that is what is given you to eat and to drink and with the sight and taste of the wounds comes the word of peace (“the peace of the Lord be with you always”) and then the joy.
When? On the Lord’s Day. When Jesus comes into the midst of His gathered disciples and speaks His peace and brings the joy of sins forgiveness. But the joy isn’t to end here.
The disciples go out and announce - as they did to Thomas - “We have seen the Lord!” So we are sent out from this gathering where Jesus has come to be with us, where we have known Him in His Words and in His Wounds, His body and blood. We are sent forth to tell people like Thomas who are left in the sadness of thinking that death is the end of the road, that there is one who went farther. We are sent to tell people like Thomas who think that their sins are still hung around their own neck, that there is one who lifted the burden from them to give them peace and joy. We are sent to tell one and all. And not just that there is such a one and such a forgiveness and such an eternal life. But sent to tell WHERE He can be found and where faith is given and forgiveness and joy and peace. To tell them about the secret of the 8th and first day when Jesus still comes to be with us when we gather together in His name, around His words, and His wounds. Amen.
All the Earth With Joy Is Sounding
All the earth with joy is sounding:
Christ has risen from the dead!
He, the greater Jonah bounding
From the grave, His three-day bed,
Wins the prize:
Death's demise -
Songs of triumph fill the skies!
Christ, the devil's might unwinding,
Leaves behind His borrowed tomb,
Stronger He, the strong man binding,
Takes, disarms his house of doom:
In the rout
Casting out
Pow'rs of darkness, sin, and doubt.
Jesus, author of salvation,
Shared in our humanity;
Crowned with radiant exaltation,
Now He shares His victory!
From His face
Shines the grace
Meant for all our fallen race!
Praise the Lord, His reign commences,
Reign of life and liberty -
Paschal Lamb, for our offenses,
Slain and raised to set us free!
Evermore
Bow before
Christ, the Lord of Life adore!
- Pr. Stephen Starke, LSB 462
Christ has risen from the dead!
He, the greater Jonah bounding
From the grave, His three-day bed,
Wins the prize:
Death's demise -
Songs of triumph fill the skies!
Christ, the devil's might unwinding,
Leaves behind His borrowed tomb,
Stronger He, the strong man binding,
Takes, disarms his house of doom:
In the rout
Casting out
Pow'rs of darkness, sin, and doubt.
Jesus, author of salvation,
Shared in our humanity;
Crowned with radiant exaltation,
Now He shares His victory!
From His face
Shines the grace
Meant for all our fallen race!
Praise the Lord, His reign commences,
Reign of life and liberty -
Paschal Lamb, for our offenses,
Slain and raised to set us free!
Evermore
Bow before
Christ, the Lord of Life adore!
- Pr. Stephen Starke, LSB 462
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
In virtue of this a Christian is called a new creature of God, which He Himself alone makes, above and besides all other creatures and works, yet in such a way that in this temporal life there is made but a beginning, and He works daily at it until it is perfected, when it will be a godly creature, pure and bright like the sun, without any sin and frailty, and all on fire with godly love. -- Blessed Martin Luther, Sermons from the Year 1536 (Day by Day, p. 177)
Patristic Quote of the Day
21 Then said He to them again, Peace be unto you: as the living Father sent Me, even so send I you.
Hereby our Lord Jesus Christ ordained the disciples to be guides and teachers of the world, and to be ministers of His Divine mysteries, and also bade them, for the time was now come, like lights to illuminate and enlighten, not merely the country of Judaea, according to the limit of the commandment of the Law, which extended from Dan even unto Beersheba, according to the Scripture, but rather also all under the sun, and men scattered throughout all lands, wheresoever they dwelt. The saying of Paul, therefore, is true: No man taketh the honour unto himself, but he that is called of God. For our Lord Jesus Christ called into His most glorious apostleship, before all others, His own disciples, and firmly fixed the whole earth, which was well-nigh tottering and in the act of falling, pointing out, as God, men to be props thereof who were well able to support it. Therefore, also, He thus spake by the mouth of the Psalmist, concerning the earth and the Apostles: I have fixed the pillars of it; for the blessed disciples were as the pillars and ground of the truth, whom also He says that He sent forth, even as the Father had sent Him; showing at the same time the dignity of their apostle-ship, and the incomparable honour of the power vouchsafed unto them, and also in all likelihood suggesting the method of life the Apostles were to follow. For if He thought it meet that He should send forth His own disciples, even as the Father had sent Him, was it not necessary for those who were destined to imitate His mission to ascertain what the Father sent forth the Son for to do? In divers ways, then, expounding unto us the character of His own mission, He said in one place: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; and again: They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick: and again, in another place: For I am come down from heaven, not to do Mine own Will, but the Will of Him That sent Me; and yet once more: For God sent not His Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. Summing up, therefore, in a few words the character of their mission, He says that He sent them even as the Father had sent Him, that they might know thereby that they were bound to call sinners to repentance, and to minister to those who were in evil plight, whether of body or soul, and in all their dealings upon earth, not in any wise to follow their own will, but the Will of Him That sent them, and to save the world by their teaching, so far as was possible. And in truth we shall find the holy disciples eager to show the utmost zeal in performing all these things; and it is not difficult for any one to satisfy himself of this, who has once turned his attention to the Acts of the Apostles, and the words of the holy Paul.
--St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 20
Hereby our Lord Jesus Christ ordained the disciples to be guides and teachers of the world, and to be ministers of His Divine mysteries, and also bade them, for the time was now come, like lights to illuminate and enlighten, not merely the country of Judaea, according to the limit of the commandment of the Law, which extended from Dan even unto Beersheba, according to the Scripture, but rather also all under the sun, and men scattered throughout all lands, wheresoever they dwelt. The saying of Paul, therefore, is true: No man taketh the honour unto himself, but he that is called of God. For our Lord Jesus Christ called into His most glorious apostleship, before all others, His own disciples, and firmly fixed the whole earth, which was well-nigh tottering and in the act of falling, pointing out, as God, men to be props thereof who were well able to support it. Therefore, also, He thus spake by the mouth of the Psalmist, concerning the earth and the Apostles: I have fixed the pillars of it; for the blessed disciples were as the pillars and ground of the truth, whom also He says that He sent forth, even as the Father had sent Him; showing at the same time the dignity of their apostle-ship, and the incomparable honour of the power vouchsafed unto them, and also in all likelihood suggesting the method of life the Apostles were to follow. For if He thought it meet that He should send forth His own disciples, even as the Father had sent Him, was it not necessary for those who were destined to imitate His mission to ascertain what the Father sent forth the Son for to do? In divers ways, then, expounding unto us the character of His own mission, He said in one place: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; and again: They that are whole have no need of a physician; but they that are sick: and again, in another place: For I am come down from heaven, not to do Mine own Will, but the Will of Him That sent Me; and yet once more: For God sent not His Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him. Summing up, therefore, in a few words the character of their mission, He says that He sent them even as the Father had sent Him, that they might know thereby that they were bound to call sinners to repentance, and to minister to those who were in evil plight, whether of body or soul, and in all their dealings upon earth, not in any wise to follow their own will, but the Will of Him That sent them, and to save the world by their teaching, so far as was possible. And in truth we shall find the holy disciples eager to show the utmost zeal in performing all these things; and it is not difficult for any one to satisfy himself of this, who has once turned his attention to the Acts of the Apostles, and the words of the holy Paul.
--St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 20
One of the Joys
of LSB is going from parish to parish and finding it in rich use. Today we worshipped at Messiah Lutheran in Lebanon. We were richly fed in both sermon and Sacrament. And we got to sing all sorts of Easter hymns again: "O Sons and Daughters," "Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense," "Christ is Arisen! Alleluia!" and "I know that My Redeemer Lives." Pastor Holle gave a wonderful homily that tied all three readings together. My favorite line: "And the blood, on the cross, and in the cup." The liturgy was Divine Service 1.
O Sons and Daughters
Here's the Hymn of the Day for Quasimodogeniti (today) as our choir presented it as preservice music on Easter. In LSB it is provided with two tunes, but I think this one has become my favorite:
18 April 2009
This-n-That
We headed out this afternoon and bought Bekah her graduation gift - a new MacBook. She's been kinda down with those senior blues (and it doesn't help that her best buddy this year is an exchange student from Germany and preparing to head back home!). It took me most of the afternoon to get it up and going - with transferring all her stuff from her old computer and updating software. She's set, though, God willing for college and maybe beyond.
Cleaned my office a bit this evening as well, in preparation for returning to work. Been a nice and relaxing vacation - and I got to do a bunch of geeky stuff that I normally don't have time to and that was rather a nice diversion.
Tonight the Eastern Churches celebrate Pascha - I wish all our Eastern brothers and sisters much joy in the Pascha. "He who saved the three young men in the furnace became incarnate and suffered as a mortal man; by His sufferings He clothed what was mortal in the robe of immortality. He alone is blessed and most glorious, the God of our Fathers! Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life."
Tomorrow we shall have the joy of Quasimodogeniti. We'll be heading down to Lebanon for the Divine Service at Messiah Lutheran Church and will have the joy of hearing a sermon on absolution and Thomas and the gift of the Supper. Looking forward to it! Then cards with Dave and Jo in the afternoon. And that will be the wrap of my week off.
Cleaned my office a bit this evening as well, in preparation for returning to work. Been a nice and relaxing vacation - and I got to do a bunch of geeky stuff that I normally don't have time to and that was rather a nice diversion.
Tonight the Eastern Churches celebrate Pascha - I wish all our Eastern brothers and sisters much joy in the Pascha. "He who saved the three young men in the furnace became incarnate and suffered as a mortal man; by His sufferings He clothed what was mortal in the robe of immortality. He alone is blessed and most glorious, the God of our Fathers! Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life."
Tomorrow we shall have the joy of Quasimodogeniti. We'll be heading down to Lebanon for the Divine Service at Messiah Lutheran Church and will have the joy of hearing a sermon on absolution and Thomas and the gift of the Supper. Looking forward to it! Then cards with Dave and Jo in the afternoon. And that will be the wrap of my week off.
The Sun is JUST Peeping
over the trees across the road and my wife is out for a run - on a Saturday morning. I think she needs some counseling, don't you? :)
If you are a Wodehouse fan...
...this site is priceless:
Random Wodehouse Quotes
You can hit refresh and enjoy one laugh after the other. My favorite this a.m. was:
The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.
Random Wodehouse Quotes
You can hit refresh and enjoy one laugh after the other. My favorite this a.m. was:
The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
As far as possible we should observe the same rites and ceremonies, just as all Christians have the same baptism and the same sacrament [of the altar] and no one has received a special one of his own from God. -- Blessed Martin Luther, *The German Mass*
Patristic Quote of the Day
For no one will show us such a reading as this in the holy and Divine Scriptures; and in no wise is that to be received as truth which is not told in the Divinely-inspired Scriptures. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on John 8:44
Short night
Cindi and I were awaken by the sounds of an accident on the highway at 4 this morning. No idea what happened, but suspect a fellow with too much to drink crossed the interstate. One vehicle was air-borne for a time, because it landed on the grass by the frontage road but the barricade is still in place and undamaged. Thanks be to God all the people involved are alive and walking, but that one fellow who apparently caused it was quite obviously unsteady on his feet and not making much sense. We've had some terrible accidents right in front of the Church over the years, almost invariably dealing with traffic coming from the north. I've wondered if folks don't look over at the Church as it suddenly looms up (it's blocked from view by an overpass until you're almost upon it) and if that could possibly be a contributing factor.
17 April 2009
You know...
...sometimes the menfolk are astonishing in their graciousness when it comes to letting their wives win a hand or two of pinochle. All in the calling of marriage; self-sacrifice and what-not, eh Randy?
Great Day
Cindi and I enjoyed Lamberts a great deal - and we even ate three of those evil rolls a piece. I had a fabulous slab of country ham; Cindi had the fried chicken. Then off to Charleston Missouri to tour their Dogwood and Azalea festival - and was the town ever blooming beautifully. A couple pics:
16 April 2009
The Assisting Minister
In LSB, the rubrics permit the use of an assisting minister in the Divine Service. This person may be either ordained or lay (Altar Book, p. x). A quick look through the Divine Service reveals the follow actions may be performed by an Assisting Minister:
Intoning of Kyrie Litany (DS 1,2,4)
Intoning of Gloria or This is the Feast (DS 1,2)
Reading of the OT (First) and Epistle
Preparation of the Altar for the Sacrament
Bidding the Prayer of the Church
Assisting in Distribution
Praying the Post-Communion Thanksgiving
The Benedicamus
Actions which may not be performed by other than the Pastor are:
Invocation
Absolution
Intoning of Gloria (DS 3)
Salutation and Praying the Collect
Reading of the Holy Gospel
Sermon
Conclusion of the Prayer of the Church
Preface through Pax Domini (obviously including the Consecration)
Leading the Distribution and dismissing the communicants
Salutation
Benediction
The liturgy is indeed first and foremost Gottesdienst - God's gracious service to us. Within this gracious service, though, the Church has experienced a richness in her response to God's gifts and in how she administered them to the people. Each has his "liturgy" to perform: the cantor or choir in leading Introit, Gradual, and Alleluia Verse; the people in singing their hymns, in singing the chants of the Ordinary, in offering thanks for the Word read, in listening to the sermon, in joining in the prayers; the musicians in supporting the music in various ways; everyone in receiving the Blessed Eucharist. The role of the Assisting Minister permits yet another way that the Church's experience of the Divine Service can be enriched, basically providing for the restoration of the ancient diaconal ministry.
Intoning of Kyrie Litany (DS 1,2,4)
Intoning of Gloria or This is the Feast (DS 1,2)
Reading of the OT (First) and Epistle
Preparation of the Altar for the Sacrament
Bidding the Prayer of the Church
Assisting in Distribution
Praying the Post-Communion Thanksgiving
The Benedicamus
Actions which may not be performed by other than the Pastor are:
Invocation
Absolution
Intoning of Gloria (DS 3)
Salutation and Praying the Collect
Reading of the Holy Gospel
Sermon
Conclusion of the Prayer of the Church
Preface through Pax Domini (obviously including the Consecration)
Leading the Distribution and dismissing the communicants
Salutation
Benediction
The liturgy is indeed first and foremost Gottesdienst - God's gracious service to us. Within this gracious service, though, the Church has experienced a richness in her response to God's gifts and in how she administered them to the people. Each has his "liturgy" to perform: the cantor or choir in leading Introit, Gradual, and Alleluia Verse; the people in singing their hymns, in singing the chants of the Ordinary, in offering thanks for the Word read, in listening to the sermon, in joining in the prayers; the musicians in supporting the music in various ways; everyone in receiving the Blessed Eucharist. The role of the Assisting Minister permits yet another way that the Church's experience of the Divine Service can be enriched, basically providing for the restoration of the ancient diaconal ministry.
"But now bring me a musician"...
...And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him." 2 Kings 3:15
Luther Gem
If you touch My flesh, you are not touching simple flesh and blood; you are eating and drinking flesh and blood which makes you divine. - Luther on John 6:52
Is there anything
more joyfully wonderful than the music of the Paschal feast? LSB features not only the usual fare, but I'm especially impressed by three newer texts.
The first is a Pelz setting of a three-stanza Franzmann text on the epistle for Easter Divine Service (1 Cor. 5), "Our Paschal Lamb that Sets Us Free," LSB #473 - note especially the musical painting on the allelluias that follow: "let alleluias leap!"
The second is Dudley-Smith's "Long before the World is Waking" (LSB 485) - set to a fabulously sturdy German tune (All Saints) - and giving the whole encounter in John 21 in vivid detail: Charcoal embers, brightly burning, bread and fish upon them laid; Jesus stands at day's returning, in His risen life arrayed...
The final is a Stuempfle text set to the old American tune Jefferson: "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow" (LSB 476). This text pulls you into the account of the Emmaus disciples: "Nameless mourners, we will join you, we, who also mourn our dead; We have stood by graves unyielding, Eaten death's bare, bitter bread." And then the great surprise of who walks with us: "Who are You? Our hearts are opened In the breaking of the bread - Christ the victim, Christ the victor Living, risen from the dead!"
Paschal joy continues to call forth new music for the Church to delight in singing to the Risen Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The first is a Pelz setting of a three-stanza Franzmann text on the epistle for Easter Divine Service (1 Cor. 5), "Our Paschal Lamb that Sets Us Free," LSB #473 - note especially the musical painting on the allelluias that follow: "let alleluias leap!"
The second is Dudley-Smith's "Long before the World is Waking" (LSB 485) - set to a fabulously sturdy German tune (All Saints) - and giving the whole encounter in John 21 in vivid detail: Charcoal embers, brightly burning, bread and fish upon them laid; Jesus stands at day's returning, in His risen life arrayed...
The final is a Stuempfle text set to the old American tune Jefferson: "Who Are You Who Walk in Sorrow" (LSB 476). This text pulls you into the account of the Emmaus disciples: "Nameless mourners, we will join you, we, who also mourn our dead; We have stood by graves unyielding, Eaten death's bare, bitter bread." And then the great surprise of who walks with us: "Who are You? Our hearts are opened In the breaking of the bread - Christ the victim, Christ the victor Living, risen from the dead!"
Paschal joy continues to call forth new music for the Church to delight in singing to the Risen Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Another Neglected Rubric for Palm/Passion Sunday
I don't think I mentioned before rubric #2: The procession may begin from outside the church building, from the narthex, of from the back of the nave. (Altar Book, page 501) Hand in hand with the above rubric is this one (p. 502): If the procession begins outside the nave, the congregation gathers around the processional cross.
Worshipping as we do right next to a loud and busy highway does not lend itself practically to beginning outdoors, either for Vigil or for Palm Sunday. Don't ask me how I know this! But if you have a quieter setting AND the weather is cooperating, there is something absolutely wonderful about having the people gather outside for the initial liturgy on Palm Sunday and then entering the Church building singing "All glory, laud, and honor!" as they wave their palms in honor of the King.
Worshipping as we do right next to a loud and busy highway does not lend itself practically to beginning outdoors, either for Vigil or for Palm Sunday. Don't ask me how I know this! But if you have a quieter setting AND the weather is cooperating, there is something absolutely wonderful about having the people gather outside for the initial liturgy on Palm Sunday and then entering the Church building singing "All glory, laud, and honor!" as they wave their palms in honor of the King.
Patristic Quote of the Day
[Note: I've been hunting this down for a long time. Migne published it in DIATRlBA AD OPUS IMPERFECTUM IN MATTHAEUM, QUOD CHRYSOSTOMI NOMINE CIRCUMFERTUR. Thus it was attributed to St. John Chrysostom commenting on Matthew 24 (flee to the hills), but no one knows if it is from his hand. I find the exegesis in the larger passage to be a tad more Alexandrian than he was wont to employ. In any case, it is found in PG volume 56, page 908, 909 and apparently exists only in the Latin. Chemnitz knew the citation and included in it in his Examination of the Council of Trent I:156. Big thanks to Robert Smith of the Fort Wayne seminary for sending me a PDF of the citation.]
Because in this period in which heresy has taken possession of the churches there can be no proof of true Christianity nor any other refuge for Christians who want to know the truth of the faith except the divine Scriptures. Earlier we showed in many ways which is the church of Christ, and which heathenism. But now there is for those who want to know which is the true church of Christ no way to know it except only through the Scriptures. -- attributed St. John Chrysostom, Homily 49 on Matthew 24
Because in this period in which heresy has taken possession of the churches there can be no proof of true Christianity nor any other refuge for Christians who want to know the truth of the faith except the divine Scriptures. Earlier we showed in many ways which is the church of Christ, and which heathenism. But now there is for those who want to know which is the true church of Christ no way to know it except only through the Scriptures. -- attributed St. John Chrysostom, Homily 49 on Matthew 24
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Thus the life of God in the parish implies that the parish will take prayer seriously. Family prayers in the families of the parish will provide both the extension of and the basis for corporate worship in the greater family of the parish. This may require not only diligent instruction, but also careful demonstration.... Daily matins and vespers at hours convenient to the potential worshippers can become the occasion for programmatic intercessions for those desiring such prayers, for those with anniversaries of baptism, birth, marriage, or bereavement falling on these days, with private Absolution and Holy Communion available for those who desire it. The parochial services of Holy Communion will reverse the present trend away from the general use of corporate intercession toward a more consistent and meaningful use of it. -- A. C. Piepkorn, *The Church* p. 135
15 April 2009
A Peculiarity
of the Historic propers for the Easter season is that the Gradual disappears and the Alleluia is doubled - which means we get to sing the three-fold (or if you're using the Celtic alleluia, the four-fold) alleluia three times instead of just twice. Sweet!
Silly Day Dream
Lutherans, at peace on the area of worship because they are committed to using their own Gospel-drenched liturgy (with suitable minor variations in local use), gathering weekly around the wondrous Table of God's Word and Sacrament, concentrating their joint efforts on catechesis, on outreach, on mercy as they serve their neighbors, and on fostering lives of personal repentance and prayer.
You know the saying - some folks looks at things as they are and ask why? Others dream of how they might be and ask why not? Count me in the latter camp today.
You know the saying - some folks looks at things as they are and ask why? Others dream of how they might be and ask why not? Count me in the latter camp today.
A Friday Getaway
We're planning a trip down to Sikeston, Missouri for lunch at Lambert's Cafe (can you go there and NOT eat the thrown rolls???) on Friday and then do some touring around Charleston (their Azalea/Dogwood festival is in full swing) and back home for an evening of cards with Randy and Rachel, at which the men will no doubt continue their winning streak (at least we most devoutly hope so).
Songs of Joy!
Make songs of joy to Christ, our head: Alleluia!
He lives again who once was dead! Alleluia!
Our life was purchased by His loss; Alleluia!
He died our death upon the cross. Alleluia!
O death where is your deadly sting? Alleluia!
Assumed by our triumphant King! Alleluia!
And where your victory, O grave, Alleluia!
When one like Christ has come to save? Alleluia!
Behold, the tyrants, one and all, Alleluia!
Before our mighty Savior fall! Alleluia!
For this be praised the Son who rose, Alleluia!
The Father and the Holy Ghost! Alleluia!
[A Slovak Easter Hymn, LSB 484]
He lives again who once was dead! Alleluia!
Our life was purchased by His loss; Alleluia!
He died our death upon the cross. Alleluia!
O death where is your deadly sting? Alleluia!
Assumed by our triumphant King! Alleluia!
And where your victory, O grave, Alleluia!
When one like Christ has come to save? Alleluia!
Behold, the tyrants, one and all, Alleluia!
Before our mighty Savior fall! Alleluia!
For this be praised the Son who rose, Alleluia!
The Father and the Holy Ghost! Alleluia!
[A Slovak Easter Hymn, LSB 484]
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Far from being a sort of featherbed in which the Christian can lie down and take his ease, the Christian hope is a springboard to action, hurling the Christian into even greater concern for his fellow Christians and for others. Hope for the future, for death and beyond, fits the Christian even better for this life, for love for his neighbor, and for the task of taking the Gospel to all people, so that they too may be brought to salvation. -- Henry Hamann, *On Being a Christian* p. 81
Patristic Quote of the Day
From my mother's womb I began to grieve Thee, and utterly have I disregarded Thy grace, for I have neglected my soul. -- St. Ephraim, the Syrian *A Spiritual Psalter* #10
14 April 2009
The Before Bed Hymn
Lord Jesus, since You love me,Now spread Your wings above me
And shield me from alarm.
Though Satan would devour me,
Let angel guards sing o'er me:
This child of God shall meet no harm.
LSB 880:4
Now the Queen
Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feasts of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcome in unwearied strain
Jesus' resurrection!
For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb's dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.
Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb's dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness.
St. John of Damascus,
LSB 487:3=5
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feasts of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcome in unwearied strain
Jesus' resurrection!
For today among His own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
Nor the tomb's dark portal
Nor the watchers nor the seal
Hold Him as a mortal.
Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb's dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought His Israel
Into joy from sadness.
St. John of Damascus,
LSB 487:3=5
Sorry the Video and Audio
aren't in sync. Not sure how Youtube messed that up. I've got a few more I'll post shortly, God willing.
Patristic Quote of the Day
The reason why the One who completely fills the universe asks for food, why the Bread eats, is not be He hungers for food, but because He always hungers for the love of His own people. -- St. Peter Chrysologus, Homily 78 on John 21
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Thus it is with the general absolution that God announced to the whole world by the resurrection of Christ. All of this is of no help to the poor world if it remains in unbelief. God has already given to each of us the forgiveness of sins, but He will not force any of us to accept it. We must accept it in order for it to be beneficial to us, and we do that only through faith. The resurrected Christ did not offer a single word of condemnation against His disciple's sins - not against Peter's denial and not against the flight of all the others. The only thing He chastised in them was their unbelief. - C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 349
13 April 2009
The Easter Season - The Great Fifty Days
from Treasury, p. 189The Easter season is a fifty day-long season of joy extending from Easter to Pentecost. During this time, the Church celebrates the end of Christ's struggles and proclaims His victory over death and the reception of the benefits of His life, death and resurrection as gracious gifts of love and mercy for all who believe in Him. This is the Church's great season of joy! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
12 April 2009
A Week of Vacation
Blogging may be spotty; answering emails will not be a priority; be patient and God willing (and I remember) I'll get back to you!
A blessed Easter week to all Western blog readers, and a blessed Holy Week to my Orthodox friends!
A blessed Easter week to all Western blog readers, and a blessed Holy Week to my Orthodox friends!
Music of the Feast
I mentioned the distribution hymns earlier, but how much of our joy of the day is carried by the hymnody! We also sang this morning:
Joy to the Heart (Matins and Divine Service)
Awake My Heart with Gladness (Matins)
Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands (Divine Service)
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (Divine Service)
and the St. Paul quartet sang for us "Christians to the Paschal Victim" at Divine Service and in preservice the Adult Choir sang a joyous setting of "O Sons and Daughters of the King."
The music of Pascha cannot be topped. Period.
Joy to the Heart (Matins and Divine Service)
Awake My Heart with Gladness (Matins)
Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands (Divine Service)
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds (Divine Service)
and the St. Paul quartet sang for us "Christians to the Paschal Victim" at Divine Service and in preservice the Adult Choir sang a joyous setting of "O Sons and Daughters of the King."
The music of Pascha cannot be topped. Period.
Whew!
I'm wiped and I'm sure so are the good folks who put on the breakfast this morning and sang in the choirs and played the organ and trumpet and rang the bells and beat the drums and recorded the liturgies. It was a joyful feast day indeed. At the Divine Service we sang our way through FIVE distribution hymns:
I know that My Redeemer Lives (8 stanzas - with choir, trumpet and organ)
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (4 stanzas - with bells and organ)
At the Lamb's High Feast (8 stanzas)
Christ has Arisen (5 stanzas)
The Day of Resurrection (4 stanzas)
And STILL they lined up for the Sacrament! Glory to Jesus Christ!
We departed Church in the bright sunlight and with the bell ringing out the joy of the resurrection (thanks, Ron!). Christ indeed from death is risen! Alleluia!
I know that My Redeemer Lives (8 stanzas - with choir, trumpet and organ)
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (4 stanzas - with bells and organ)
At the Lamb's High Feast (8 stanzas)
Christ has Arisen (5 stanzas)
The Day of Resurrection (4 stanzas)
And STILL they lined up for the Sacrament! Glory to Jesus Christ!
We departed Church in the bright sunlight and with the bell ringing out the joy of the resurrection (thanks, Ron!). Christ indeed from death is risen! Alleluia!
Christos Anesti!
Christ is risen, and you, Hell, are overthrown!
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one remains in the grave!
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
--from the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom, *Treasury* p. 185
Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life reigns!
Christ is risen, and not one remains in the grave!
For Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
--from the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom, *Treasury* p. 185
11 April 2009
Rejoice now!
Rejoice now, all you heav'nly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice, too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God's faithful people....
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places, with all our heart and mind and voice praise You, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty everlasting God, and Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. For He is the very Paschal Lamb who offered Himself for the sin of the world, who has cleansed us by the shedding of His precious blood. This is the night when You brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and led them through the Red Sea on dry ground. This is the night when all who believe in Christ are delivered from bondage to sin and are restored to life and immortality. This is the night when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead. The seal of the grave is broken and the morning of the new creation breaks forth out of night. Oh, how wonderful and beyond all telling is Your mercy toward us, O God, that to redeem a slave You gave Your Son. How holy is this night when all wickedness is put to flight and sin is washed away. How holy is this night when innocence is restored to the fallen and joy given to the downcast. How blessed is this night when man is reconciled to God in Christ. Holy Father, accept now the evening sacrifices of our thanksgiving and praise. Let Christ, the true light and morning star, shine in our hearts, He who gives light to the whole creation, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
From the appointed Liturgy of the Vigil of Easter, LSB Altar Book, 534-536
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Whether we comprehend it with or without pictures is an indifferent matter, as long as we don't become heretics and this article remains intact, that our Lord Jesus Christ did descend into hell, battered hell open, overcame the devil, and delivered those who were held captive by the devil. - Blessed Martin Luther, House Postil I:480
Patristic Quote of the Day
From today's reading in the Treasury:
But in Your resurrection You persuade men concerning Your birth. You were pure in the womb that was sealed and alive in the tomb that was sealed. The womb and the tomb, being sealed, were witnesses to You and to Your divinity.
The belly and hell cried aloud of Your birth and Your resurrection: The belly, which was sealed, conceived You. Hell, which was closed up, brought You forth. Nature did not cause either the belly to conceive You or hell to give You up!...Thus do they proclaim that You are of heaven. -- Ephraim Syrus
But in Your resurrection You persuade men concerning Your birth. You were pure in the womb that was sealed and alive in the tomb that was sealed. The womb and the tomb, being sealed, were witnesses to You and to Your divinity.
The belly and hell cried aloud of Your birth and Your resurrection: The belly, which was sealed, conceived You. Hell, which was closed up, brought You forth. Nature did not cause either the belly to conceive You or hell to give You up!...Thus do they proclaim that You are of heaven. -- Ephraim Syrus
On Kissing the Cross
At the conclusion of the veneration of the cross yesterday at the Chief Service, I did what seemed the most natural thing in the world. After getting up from kneeling before our rough-hewn cross, I reached toward it and kissed it. Pastor Gleason did the same. We kiss what we love, and we love the cross of the Savior upon which our Lord offered Himself to blot out our sin and to destroy our death. I'm sure some folks might think that a bit odd (you expect odd with me, no?), but in the context of that Good Friday liturgy it seemed, well, as I said, the most natural thing to do, and it was totally unpremeditated on either of our part. I wondered if the congregation wanted to come and kiss it too - they'd certainly be welcome to if their piety suggested such.
A Resurrection Homily: Incorruptible
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!Today we mark yet another step in the unfathomable love of God for the human race. It was not enough for Him to have created us out of nothing in His image and to place us into the paradise of plenty. It was not enough for Him, when we fell into sin, to promise us a Savior. It was not enough for Him, to give us the Law to teach us our need of His mercy. It was not enough for Him, to send us prophets to call us to trust in Him and to turn from all that is death and vanity. It was not enough for Him to send His Son into our flesh. It was not enough for His Son to walk among us, a man among men, the only REAL man among all others who are really only failures at being men. It was not enough for our Lord to stand in the waters of the Jordan in solidarity with sinners. It was not enough for Him to reach out and touch and heal. It was not enough for Him to teach us the counsels of salvation. It was not even enough for Him to offer up His life a ransom for us upon Gologotha’s stony slope. It was not enough for Him to share our graves and taste our death. It was not enough for Him. He would love us even more. And so the joys of THIS day.
For make no mistake about what THIS day celebrates. Not merely that a man was raised from the dead. This Man had raised others from the dead before - Jairus’ little girl, the widow of Nain’s son, Lazarus. But they were all brought back from death into life with still corruptible flesh. That is, they each finally grew sick and died yet again. I don’t imagine that any of them faced death in the same way again - for they had encountered Him whose Word and call was stronger than death. But their coming back to life was not like what we celebrate today.
For THIS day we celebrate that human flesh, like unto our own, of a piece with us, has been raised from death in incorruption. He will never die again. He is forever beyond all that. As we like to sing: “Gone the nailing, gone the railing, gone the pleading, gone the cry, gone the sighing, gone the dying, what was loss lifted high.”
This is the news that the Angel brought to the Marys and Salome at the tomb: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth. He is not here. He is risen. Come, see the place where they laid Him, but go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is risen and goes before you into Galilee. There you will see Him just as He told you.”
As He told you. His words of promise never fail. You can count on them when everything else around you is shaking, when your world crumbles, when your heart breaks, when your body fails. He will not fail you. It wasn’t enough for Him to merely share our flesh and blood. Oh, no. He would have that flesh and blood glorified, raised in incorruption, shining with the light of deity, the very source of our eternal hope. And He will take that glorified flesh and blood and raise it to the right hand of the Father, bringing humanity at long last to that place where God had intended us to live from the beginning.
And do you see what His incorruption means to you? He, who is now forever beyond death, beyond sin, beyond the accusations of the law, beyond hell - He has joined you to Him. In your Baptism you went into that grave with Him and you came out with Him. Alive. One with Him. His life was given you there in the water to be your life - His INCORRUPTIBLE life. But with Him, that’s never enough. There’s always more.
And so He sends His servants out to proclaim His promises - promises that cannot fail, that are as sure and certain as His rising from that grave on this day in incorruption. Incorruptible promises to make you partakers of His divine nature. This is how St. Peter put it: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3,4) The promises of the Incorruptible One impart to you incorruption and make you a sharer in His divine nature - so that all that He is by nature you become by grace. He, a child of God; You, a child of God; He, the Heir of the Father; You, the heir of the Father.
But with Him there is always more. It was not enough for Him to baptize you into His own indestructible life; not enough for Him to arrange for His promises to be spoken to you to impart to you incorruption through faith. He goes further; He has more; His love knows no limit. He has a meal for you. He wants to put into you, into your corruptible, dying, sinful bodies His incorruptible, undying, sinless Body and Blood for your forgiveness and for you life. He wants to unite you to Himself; to strengthen the bonds of your faith; to comfort you; to hold and still you in all your anxieties and fears. He wants you to know that just as death was not the end of Him, so it will NEVER be the end of you. He wants you to rejoice that YOU have a life that is stronger than all the death in this world.
Old Job could go to his grave in the confidence that his Redeemer lived, and that on the other side of the corruption - yes, though his body be destroyed - yet he would live again in this flesh and his eyes and none other would behold God. And as he thought of it, his heart burned within him.
We see more than Job. For we have known the Redeemer for whom he waited, and we know His triumph over death and the grave. We know that not a single word of His ever proves false.
So, beloved, since Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed, let us keep the feast. Away with the corruptible leavened bread of malice! Away with the corruptible leavened bread of evil! Let us welcome the incorruptible unleavened bread of sincerity and truth: the sincerity that is God’s earnest promise and the truth that with our God and His love for us, nothing was good enough until He had made our nature incorruptible in His Son and united us to Him that we might live in Him forevermore. This is God’s sincerity. This is God’s truth. This is the Bread on which we feast this day - the incorruptible bread that is Christ our Passover Lamb to whom be glory with His Father and the Holy Spirit - the only true God who has loved us with a love immeasurable, deep, divine. Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Random Thoughts from Holy Saturday Matins...
Today's Psalms - wow.
For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the land of the living. 56
He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me... My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 57
Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth." 58
And the prayer we pray each Saturday - how it speaks to the conversation on worship on the earlier thread:
Prepare our hearts to take part in the eternal liturgy sung before Your throne, and grant that in the Sacrament we may join in the never-ending feast, until that final day comes. Hear our prayer for the sake of the Lamb, Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the land of the living. 56
He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me... My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 57
Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth." 58
And the prayer we pray each Saturday - how it speaks to the conversation on worship on the earlier thread:
Prepare our hearts to take part in the eternal liturgy sung before Your throne, and grant that in the Sacrament we may join in the never-ending feast, until that final day comes. Hear our prayer for the sake of the Lamb, Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
10 April 2009
We Have Entered
our Lord's Sabbath rest. As He rested on the seventh day from His work of creation; so He rests in the tomb on the Sabbath day from His work of redemption. Here is a beautiful and comforting homily from the early Church about the events of Holy Saturday (which, of course, in the Church's mind began at sunset this evening):
Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: "My Lord be with you all". Christ answered him: "And with your spirit". He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: "Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light".
I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.
Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: "My Lord be with you all". Christ answered him: "And with your spirit". He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: "Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light".
I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.
An Oops
Altar Book: Epistle for chief service on Good Friday is Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9
Lectionary: Epistle for chief service on Good Friday is 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Lectionary: Epistle for chief service on Good Friday is 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Behold, the Life-giving Cross!
Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world.
O come, let us worship Him!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer me. For I have raised you up out of the prison house of sin and death, and you have delivered up your Redeemer to be scourged. For I have redeemed you from the house of bondage, and you have nailed your Savior to the cross. O my people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer;
God eternal, leave us not to bitter death. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. For I have conquered all your foes, and you have given Me over and delivered Me to those who persecute Me. For I have fed you with My Word and refreshed you with living water, and you have given Me gall and vinegar to drink. O My people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer;
God eternal, allow us not to lose hope in the face of death and hell. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? O My people, is this how you thank you thank your God? O My people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer:
God eternal, keep us steadfast in the true faith. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Thy peace be with us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
We adore You, O Lord, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection.
For behold, by the wood of Your cross joy has come into all the world.
God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy upon us.
We adore You, O Lord, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection.
For behold, by the wood of Your cross joy has come into all the world.
--Good Friday Chief Service - LSB Altar Book
O come, let us worship Him!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer me. For I have raised you up out of the prison house of sin and death, and you have delivered up your Redeemer to be scourged. For I have redeemed you from the house of bondage, and you have nailed your Savior to the cross. O my people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer;
God eternal, leave us not to bitter death. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. For I have conquered all your foes, and you have given Me over and delivered Me to those who persecute Me. For I have fed you with My Word and refreshed you with living water, and you have given Me gall and vinegar to drink. O My people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer;
God eternal, allow us not to lose hope in the face of death and hell. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Have mercy on us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
Thus says the Lord: What have I done to you, O My people, and wherein have I offended you? Answer Me. What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? O My people, is this how you thank you thank your God? O My people!
Holy Lord God, holy and mighty God, holy and most merciful Redeemer:
God eternal, keep us steadfast in the true faith. O Lord, have mercy!
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
Who on the cross didst suffer,
Ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
Else had despair reigned o'er us:
Thy peace be with us, O Jesus! O Jesus!
We adore You, O Lord, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection.
For behold, by the wood of Your cross joy has come into all the world.
God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy upon us.
We adore You, O Lord, and we praise and glorify Your holy resurrection.
For behold, by the wood of Your cross joy has come into all the world.
--Good Friday Chief Service - LSB Altar Book
Upon the Cross Extended
Upon the cross extendedSee, world, your Lord suspended.
Your Savior yields His breath.
The Prince of life from heaven
Himself has freely given
To shame and blows and bitter death.
Come, see these things and ponder,
Your soul will fill with wonder
As blood pours from each pore.
Through grief beyond all knowing
From His great heart came flowing
Sighs welling from its deepest core.
Who is it, Lord, that bruised You?
Who has so sore abused You
And cause You all Your woe?
We all must make confession
Of sin and dire transgression
While You no ways of evil know.
I caused Your grief and sighing
By evils multiplying
As countless as the sands.
I caused the woes unnumbered
With which Your soul is cumbered,
Your sorrows raised by wicked hands.
Your soul in griefs unbounded,
Your head with thorns surrounded,
You died to ransom me.
The cross for me enduring,
The crown for me securing,
You healed my wounds and set me free.
Your cords of love, my Savior,
Bind me to You forever,
I am no longer mine.
To You I gladly tender
All that my life can render
And all I have to resign.
Your cross I place before me;
Its saving power restore me,
Sustain me in the test.
It will, when life is ending,
Be guiding and attending
My way to Your eternal rest.
LSB 453 - Paul Gerhardt
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
As certain as it is that the graves were opened and the dead went forth after Christ's death, it is just as certain that His death marked the end of our death and issued in a stream of eternal life flowing toward us. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 314
Patristic Quote of the Day
But if any honest Christian wants to know why the Lord suffered death on the cross and not in some other way, we answer thus: in no other way was it expedient for us, indeed the Lord offered for our sakes the one death that was supremely good. He had come to bear the curse that lay on us; and who could He "become a curse" otherwise than by accepting the accursed death. And that death is the cross, for it is written, "cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree." - St. Athanasius, Treasury, p. 176
A Little OP for Good Friday
It is finished.
IT was one of the tense moments in history when time in some strange manner feels more like eternity….There is always a touch of that at the hour of death….At the death of the Son of God in a world where nothing is ever finished there was more than a touch of eternity….His cry came from Calvary, but it had echoed in the heart of God as He watched the angel in the Garden close the gate upon the lost parents of a lost race….The door had closed, the children were gone, the years of separation had begun….Now that had ended….He took the last step on the world’s altar stairs, and eternity was before Him….
Here above all there must be good theology….You see, this is atonement….This is the triumphant end of an infinite plan which comes to perfect consummation when at the close of the third hour the Author and Finisher of our faith breaks the silence with the news that His quest has ended and the yearning of His heart has been stilled….Nothing remains to be done….Not for Him and not for us….Only to believe….Every hour now in the passing of time, at the deathbed, in cathedral, in chapel, in metropolis, village, or wilderness, at the ends of the earth, and to the end of time comes the voice which has cried these nineteen hundred years: “It is finished.”….You have nothing to do but believe…
IT was one of the tense moments in history when time in some strange manner feels more like eternity….There is always a touch of that at the hour of death….At the death of the Son of God in a world where nothing is ever finished there was more than a touch of eternity….His cry came from Calvary, but it had echoed in the heart of God as He watched the angel in the Garden close the gate upon the lost parents of a lost race….The door had closed, the children were gone, the years of separation had begun….Now that had ended….He took the last step on the world’s altar stairs, and eternity was before Him….
Here above all there must be good theology….You see, this is atonement….This is the triumphant end of an infinite plan which comes to perfect consummation when at the close of the third hour the Author and Finisher of our faith breaks the silence with the news that His quest has ended and the yearning of His heart has been stilled….Nothing remains to be done….Not for Him and not for us….Only to believe….Every hour now in the passing of time, at the deathbed, in cathedral, in chapel, in metropolis, village, or wilderness, at the ends of the earth, and to the end of time comes the voice which has cried these nineteen hundred years: “It is finished.”….You have nothing to do but believe…
09 April 2009
St. Romanos the Melodist - Again to Paradise!
Pilate fixed three crosses on Golgotha: two for the thieves, and one for the Giver of life. When Hell saw it, he said to those below, “My ministers and powers, who has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden lance has suddenly pierced me and I am being torn apart! My insides are in pain, my belly in agony, my senses make my spirit tremble, and I am compelled to disgorge Adam and Adam’s race. All men were given to me by the Garden’s tree–but now a tree is bringing them back again to Paradise.”When he heard this, Satan, the cunning serpent ran crawling and said, “What is it, hell? Why do you groan for no reason? Why produce these wailings? This Tree, at which you tremble, I carpentered up there for Mary’s Child. I suggested it to his enemies for our advantage, for it is a Cross, to which I have nailed Christ, wishing by a tree to do away with the second Adam, just as I did away with the first one. So do not be afraid. It is dry and barren. It will not harm you. Keep hold of those you have. Of those we rule, not one will escape again to Paradise.”
Hell replied to Satan, “You have lost your senses–you, the cunning snake of old! All your wisdom has been swallowed up by the cross, and you have been caught in your own snare. Lift up your eyes and see that you have fallen into the pit you dug! Behold that Tree, which you call dry and barren, bears fruit: a thief tasted it and has become heir to the good things of Eden. Moses’ rod led the people out of Egypt, but this tree brings mankind back again to Paradise.”
Satan answered, “Wretched hell–cease this cowardly talk! Your words reveal your thoughts. Are you afraid of a cross and of the Crucified? Not one of your words has shaken me, for these deeds are part of my plan. I will also open a grave and entomb Christ, so that you may enjoy your cowardice doubly–from his tomb as well as from his cross. When I see you, I will mock you. For when Christ is buried I will come to you and say, “Who now brings Adam back again to Paradise?”
Then hell spoke back, “Now is the moment for you to listen, Satan. Now you will see the power of the Cross and the great authority of the Crucified. For you, the cross is folly. But the world sees it as a throne, on which, as though seated, Jesus is nailed and hears the thief cry to him, ‘Lord, remember me in your kingdom.’ Listen now as he answers, kingly, ‘Today, poor beggar, you will reign with me. For with me, you will go in again to Paradise.”
At these words, Satan began to wilt, and what he heard he saw: a thief witnessing to Christ crucified. And so, amazed, he struck his breast and said, “Christ did not answer his accusers, and yet he speaks to a thief? To Pilate he never spoke a word; but now he addresses a murderer, saying, “Come, live in pleasure”? What is this? Who has seen words or deeds done by this thief, by means of which he goes again to Paradise?
Again the devil called out, “Receive me, Hell. I turn to you; I submit to your views, I, who did not believe them. I saw the Tree at which you shuddered, made red with blood and water. And I shuddered, not, I tell you, at the blood, but at the water. For the blood shows Jesus’ slaughter, but the water shows his life, for life has gushed from his side. For it was not the first but the second Adam who carried Eve, the mother of all the living, again to Paradise.”
Now Hell and Satan cried out together, “Let us lament as we see the Tree which we planted transformed into a holy trunk, beneath which thieves, murderers, tax collectors and harlots will find shelter, and reap sweet fruit from what seemed barren. For they cling to the Cross as the Tree of Life. Pressed against it and swimming, through it they escape, and come again as to a harbor, again to Paradise.”
Hell said to Satan, “Swear, tyrant, finally to crucify no one.” And Satan replied, “You take an oath to kill no one. We have had our experience, let us draw back our hand. Let neither of us ever again tyrannize the race of Adam, for it has been sealed by the Cross, it has been given life, like a treasure of a precious pearl in a fragile pot; life, which a thief, well-suited to his trade, took on the Cross. For stealing he was nailed up to die ; and having thieved he was called again to Paradise.”
O most high and glorious, God of fathers and of youths, your willing outrage has become our honor. For in your Cross, we all may boast. To it we have nailed our hearts, that on it we may hang our instruments and sing to you, the Lord of all, from the songs of Zion. The ship from Tarshish once brought gold to Solomon; but to us your Tree gives back, every day and every moment, wealth beyond price. For it brings us all again to Paradise.
A Little OP for Holy Thursday
Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!
HE had only another hour, but Mary and John had a few more years….Standing at the gate where the shadows end, He turns for a moment to call back to two who were still a little way down the road…. Life has a way of going on even beyond its crosses and its Calvarys…. The last echo of the lonely walking of God in the ways of men….He knew the loneliness of crowds, the calling in the night for the companionship of heaven, the dark and listening hours of garden and hill….It will be good to know in heaven that His mother will not be alone on earth….
The strange loneliness of a world which moves in the shadow of unreason and of death….Words to hide and walls to separate. …Crowds and hate….It shall not end with this….A head crowned with thorns and universal kinghood bows down again to the crowd that has no home but His….“Behold!”….Since the cross, there is a fellowship so close that anyone of us can with a word ask Him—and whole flights of angels—to join us on the way…. There is a legend that in the years after Calvary, Mary would often kneel alone on the summit of the hill in which were still three holes and the marks of an earthquake and below which were still an empty grave and a broken door….That door is still open….
HE had only another hour, but Mary and John had a few more years….Standing at the gate where the shadows end, He turns for a moment to call back to two who were still a little way down the road…. Life has a way of going on even beyond its crosses and its Calvarys…. The last echo of the lonely walking of God in the ways of men….He knew the loneliness of crowds, the calling in the night for the companionship of heaven, the dark and listening hours of garden and hill….It will be good to know in heaven that His mother will not be alone on earth….
The strange loneliness of a world which moves in the shadow of unreason and of death….Words to hide and walls to separate. …Crowds and hate….It shall not end with this….A head crowned with thorns and universal kinghood bows down again to the crowd that has no home but His….“Behold!”….Since the cross, there is a fellowship so close that anyone of us can with a word ask Him—and whole flights of angels—to join us on the way…. There is a legend that in the years after Calvary, Mary would often kneel alone on the summit of the hill in which were still three holes and the marks of an earthquake and below which were still an empty grave and a broken door….That door is still open….
Hijacked from Jen:
Study this painting. Then you'll get why we can't and won't compromise on the liturgy.
And so it begins...
...with that solemn and beautiful liturgy. From the confessional address with the confession and absolution, to the collect, from the readings to the singing out of "O Lord, We praise Thee," from the Eucharist to the stripping of the altar as the plaintive Psalm 22 is chanted responsively and then the silence as the people file out.
Yes, the service goes on. It doesn't end with our departure. We spend these hours with our Lord in His suffering, we watch with Him in prayer, we rejoice that He prays for us, and we will bow before His cross and give glory to His resurrection!
Yes, the service goes on. It doesn't end with our departure. We spend these hours with our Lord in His suffering, we watch with Him in prayer, we rejoice that He prays for us, and we will bow before His cross and give glory to His resurrection!
A Prayer Before Approaching the Holy Eucharist
Almighty Lord Jesus Christ,
as often as I shall come
to Your holy table
to refresh my spirit,
I pray You to make me,
unworthy as I am,
worthy through Your grace;
impure as I am,
to make me clean;
naked as I am
to clothe me,
so that Your Body,
so full of divine power,
and Your most precious Blood
may not become for me, Your servant,
the occasion for judgment or punishment,
but a memorial of the death
You underwent for me,
a strengthening of my faith,
a proof of the taking away of my sins,
a bond of closer union with You and Your people,
an increase of holiness,
the basis of a glad resurrection,
and a pledge of everlasting life. Amen.
--Blessed David Hollaz
as often as I shall come
to Your holy table
to refresh my spirit,
I pray You to make me,
unworthy as I am,
worthy through Your grace;
impure as I am,
to make me clean;
naked as I am
to clothe me,
so that Your Body,
so full of divine power,
and Your most precious Blood
may not become for me, Your servant,
the occasion for judgment or punishment,
but a memorial of the death
You underwent for me,
a strengthening of my faith,
a proof of the taking away of my sins,
a bond of closer union with You and Your people,
an increase of holiness,
the basis of a glad resurrection,
and a pledge of everlasting life. Amen.
--Blessed David Hollaz
Now, My Tongue
Now, my tongue, the myst'ry telling,
Of the glorious body sing,
And the blood, all price-excelling,
Which the Gentile's Lord and King
Once on earth among us dwelling
Shed for this world's ransoming.
Giv'n for us and condescending
To be born for us below,
He with us in converse blending
Dwelt, the seed of truth to sow,
Till He closed with wondrous ending
That most patient life of woe.
That last night at supper lying
Mid the Twelve, His chosen band,
Jesus, with the Law complying,
Keeps the feast its rites demand;
Then, more precious food supplying,
Gives Himself with His own hand.
Word made flesh, the bread He taketh,
By His Word His flesh to be;
Wine His sacred blood He maketh
Though the senses fail to see;
Faith alone the true heart waketh
To behold the mystery.
Glory let us give and blessing
To the Father and the Son,
Honor, thanks and praise addressing
While eternal ages run;
Ever too His love confessing
Who from both with both is One.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
LSB 630
Of the glorious body sing,
And the blood, all price-excelling,
Which the Gentile's Lord and King
Once on earth among us dwelling
Shed for this world's ransoming.
Giv'n for us and condescending
To be born for us below,
He with us in converse blending
Dwelt, the seed of truth to sow,
Till He closed with wondrous ending
That most patient life of woe.
That last night at supper lying
Mid the Twelve, His chosen band,
Jesus, with the Law complying,
Keeps the feast its rites demand;
Then, more precious food supplying,
Gives Himself with His own hand.
Word made flesh, the bread He taketh,
By His Word His flesh to be;
Wine His sacred blood He maketh
Though the senses fail to see;
Faith alone the true heart waketh
To behold the mystery.
Glory let us give and blessing
To the Father and the Son,
Honor, thanks and praise addressing
While eternal ages run;
Ever too His love confessing
Who from both with both is One.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
LSB 630
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
In this Meal, the subject and his king, the slave and his master, the beggar and the rich, and child and the old man, the wife and the husband, the simple and the learned, truly all communicants stand as the same poor sinners and beggars, hungry and thirsty for grace. Although one may appear in a rough apron while another in velvet and satin, adorned with gold and pearls, when they depart, all take with them that for which they hunger and thirst: Christ's blood and righteousness as their beauty and glorious dress. No one receives a better food and better drink than the other. All receive the same Jesus, and with Him, the same righteousness. -- C. F. W. Walther, *Treasury*, p. 173
Patristic Quote of the Day
When is a King more glorious? When he is decked out in his purple, adorned with diadem, covered with gold, high on his throne, only when he is ready to go in solemn procession or seated in private? Or is he more glorious when wearing ordinary attire for the battlefield, last in honor, first in perils, laden with a sword, heavily equipped with arms, when for his country, for his citizens, for his children and for the life of all the people he destroys the enemy, despises dangers, thinks little of wounds, and is willing to endure his own death for the safety of his people, so that he gains a greater victory and triumph by despising death than by defeating the enemy itself?
And so what is the problem if Christ came to our condition of slavery from the bosom of the Father, from the hidden realm of divinity, in order to restore us to his liberty; he endured our death in order that we might have life by his death; when by disdaining death he brought us mortals back as gods, and put us earthly beings on the same level as heavenly ones? -- St. Peter Chrysologus, Sermon 72b
And so what is the problem if Christ came to our condition of slavery from the bosom of the Father, from the hidden realm of divinity, in order to restore us to his liberty; he endured our death in order that we might have life by his death; when by disdaining death he brought us mortals back as gods, and put us earthly beings on the same level as heavenly ones? -- St. Peter Chrysologus, Sermon 72b
ER Visit
Cindi, Dave and I spent the morning at the ER with Jo. She was having terrible pain in her knee and leg - quite swollen. We needed to rule out blood clot. It wasn't, Deo gratias. But it's still a bit of mystery what exactly is going on.
08 April 2009
Confessional Address
[from the Maundy Thursday Divine Service, Altar Book, p. 507, 508]During this Lenten season we have heard our Lord's call to intensify our struggle against sin, death, and the devil—all that prevents us from trusting in God and loving each other. Since it is our intention to receive the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ on this night when He instituted this blessed meal for our salvation, it is proper that we complete our Lenten discipline by diligently examining ourselves, as St. Paul urges us to do. This holy Sacrament has been instituted for the special comfort of those who are troubled because of their sin and who humbly confess their sins, fear God's wrath, and hunger and thirst for righteousness.
But when we examine our hearts and consciences, we find nothing in us but sin and death, from which we are incapable of delivering ourselves. Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ has had mercy on us. For our benefit He became man so that He might fulfill for us the whole will and law of God and, to deliver us, took upon Himself our sin and the punishment we deserve.
So that we may more confidently believe this and be strengthened in the faith and in holy living, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said: "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you." It is as if He said, "I became man, and all that I do and suffer is for your good. As a pledge of this, I give you My body to eat."
In the same way also He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." Again, it is as if He said, "I have had mercy on you by taking into Myself all your iniquities. I give Myself into death, shedding My blood to obtain grace and forgiveness of sins, and to comfort and establish the new testament, which gives forgiveness and everlasting salvation. As a pledge of this, I give you My blood to drink."
Therefore, whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup, confidently believing this Word and promise of Christ, dwells in Christ and Christ in him and has eternal life.
We should also do this in remembrance of Him, showing His death—that He was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification. Giving Him our most heartfelt thanks, we take up our cross and follow Him and, according to His commandment, love one another as He has loved us. As our Lord on this night exemplified this love by washing His disciples' feet, so we by our words and actions serve one another in love. For we are all one bread and one cup. For just as the one cup is filled with wine of many grapes and one bread made from countless grains, so also we, being many, are one body in Christ. Because of Him, we love one another, not only in word, but in deed and in truth.
May the almighty and merciful God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Holy Spirit, accomplish this in us.
Sing My Tongue
[Sung in Good Friday's Liturgy]
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle:
Sing the ending of the fray.
Now above the Cross, the trophy,
Sound the loud triumphant lay;
Tell how Christ, the world's redeemer,
As a victim won the day.
Tell how, when at length the fullness
Of the appointed time was come,
He, the Word was born of woman,
Left for us His Father's home,
Blazed the path of true obedience,
Shone as light amidst the gloom.
Thus, with thirty years accomplished
He went forth from Nazareth,
Destined, dedicated, willing,
Did His work and met His death;
Like a lamb He humbly yielded
On the Cross His dying breath.
Faithful cross, true sign of triumph,
Be for all the noblest tree;
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thine equal be;
Symbol of the world's redemption,
For the weight that hung on thee.
Unto God be praise and glory,
To the Father and the Son,
To the eternal Spirit honor
Now and evermore be done;
Praise and glory in the highest
While the timeless ages run.
LSB 454 (by Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, c. 530-609)
[We'll use the Fortunatus New tune that is provided in LSB, but if you'd like to hear the hymn with the traditional tune and ALL the verses, you can listen to Pr. Ben Mayes singing it here:
Sing My Tongue
Sing My Tongue (the rest)]
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle:
Sing the ending of the fray.
Now above the Cross, the trophy,
Sound the loud triumphant lay;
Tell how Christ, the world's redeemer,
As a victim won the day.
Tell how, when at length the fullness
Of the appointed time was come,
He, the Word was born of woman,
Left for us His Father's home,
Blazed the path of true obedience,
Shone as light amidst the gloom.
Thus, with thirty years accomplished
He went forth from Nazareth,
Destined, dedicated, willing,
Did His work and met His death;
Like a lamb He humbly yielded
On the Cross His dying breath.
Faithful cross, true sign of triumph,
Be for all the noblest tree;
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thine equal be;
Symbol of the world's redemption,
For the weight that hung on thee.
Unto God be praise and glory,
To the Father and the Son,
To the eternal Spirit honor
Now and evermore be done;
Praise and glory in the highest
While the timeless ages run.
LSB 454 (by Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, c. 530-609)
[We'll use the Fortunatus New tune that is provided in LSB, but if you'd like to hear the hymn with the traditional tune and ALL the verses, you can listen to Pr. Ben Mayes singing it here:
Sing My Tongue
Sing My Tongue (the rest)]
It's ONLY five?
It feels later. Day started early with Matins and then our Holy Wednesday Eucharist - with St. Luke's Passion and Pastor Gleason's fine homily upon "Father, forgive them." Cindi and I headed to the gym for a workout, and then off to pericope study, lunch with pastors and deaconess, hospital visit in St. Louis (pray for Bev!), and then home. Was planning on seeing another shutin, but couldn't get off at the exit I needed to (TRUCKS!). Caught up on my Bible reading and then prayed Vespers and now it's almost five. Nothing on the agenda this evening, though, Deo gratias. It might be early to bed!
Pics from Atlantic District's Chrism Mass
at which the Bishop consecrates the various oils used in the Church's services throughout the year (Traditionally the morning of Maundy Thursday):
Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
Give ear, O my soul, and take courage. Formerly we were sinners by nature; but now are we justified by grace. Before, we were His enemies, now are we His friends and kindred. Before, our help was in the death of Christ, not is in His life; once we were dead in our sins, now are we quickened with Christ. O the immeasurable love of God! - Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Sacred Meditation* XI
Patristic Quote of the Day
At Thy wedding, O Lord, clothe me in a worthy garment, which Thy grace will prepare for me while I am still here. -- St. Ephraim, the Syrian, *A Spiritual Psalter* #31
A Little MORE OP - Silent Wednesday
Holy week... The most important seven days in the history of man... Although the exact sequence of events is not always clear to us, we can discern, even now, the straight lines of divine order... Sunday: The garments in the dust - the Hosannahs as the prelude to the "Crucify."... Monday: Sermons with the urgent note of finality - the withered fig tree - Caesar's coin... Tuesday: The terrifying wrath of the Lamb over institutionalized and personal sin among the Scribes and Pharisees - the fire and color of His last sermon to the city and the world - the sureness of justice and the coming of judgment... Night and prayer in the light of the Easter moon on the Mount of Olives...
Wednesday is silent... If anything happened, the holy writers have drawn the veil... Everything that God could say before the Upper Room had been said... It was man's turn now... Perhaps there were quiet words in a corner of the Garden, both to His children who would flee and to His Father who would stay... Wednesday was His... The heart of that mad, crowded Holy Week was quiet... Tomorrow the soliders would come, and Friday there would be God's great signature in the sky... Thursday and Friday would belong to time and eternity, but Wednesday was of heaven alone...
Silent Wednesday... If our Lord needed it, how much more we whose life is the story of the Hosannah and the Crucify... Time for prayer, for adoration... Time to call the soul into the inner court and the Garden... In our crowded world we are lonely because we are never alone... No time to go where prayer is the only sound and God is the only light... We need more silent Wednesdays... In the glory of the Cross above our dust our silence can become purging and peace... God speaks most clearly to the heart that is silent before Him... [The Pilgrim, pp. 27, 28]
Wednesday is silent... If anything happened, the holy writers have drawn the veil... Everything that God could say before the Upper Room had been said... It was man's turn now... Perhaps there were quiet words in a corner of the Garden, both to His children who would flee and to His Father who would stay... Wednesday was His... The heart of that mad, crowded Holy Week was quiet... Tomorrow the soliders would come, and Friday there would be God's great signature in the sky... Thursday and Friday would belong to time and eternity, but Wednesday was of heaven alone...
Silent Wednesday... If our Lord needed it, how much more we whose life is the story of the Hosannah and the Crucify... Time for prayer, for adoration... Time to call the soul into the inner court and the Garden... In our crowded world we are lonely because we are never alone... No time to go where prayer is the only sound and God is the only light... We need more silent Wednesdays... In the glory of the Cross above our dust our silence can become purging and peace... God speaks most clearly to the heart that is silent before Him... [The Pilgrim, pp. 27, 28]
A Little OP for Holy Wednesday
Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.
WE do not know the story of the Penitent Thief…..Like all of us, he had gone wrong; unlike most of us, he had been caught…. As all of us must, he saw his life now, and at last, in one piece: All that he might have been and all that he had become….God gave him the last gift of the dying, the full vision of the beginning and the end….Out of it, as so often since that afternoon, came the sweet flower of his repentance: “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”… He who had just prayed for pardon for His murderers cannot turn away from a thief: “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”…. “Today!”…. The word falls, serene and sure, unshadowed by doubt….
Men may argue endlessly about eternity and speculate fruitlessly about the hereafter….Here it is, the inn of heaven for two travelers who had met at the crossing of the Way of Sorrows and the way of sin….It was already past noon….Before twilight they were friends, inseparable forever….“With Me!”... “In Paradise.”…God and a thief….God and we….So He will be kind to us at the Last Day….He knows what we are and what we shall be….Now we can be content to wait until our own day fades to its dim evening….His voice will be the music of bells at evensong, no longer from a cross, but from a throne, with the warm immediacy and urgency of a heaven nearer than we had dared to hope….“Today!”…
WE do not know the story of the Penitent Thief…..Like all of us, he had gone wrong; unlike most of us, he had been caught…. As all of us must, he saw his life now, and at last, in one piece: All that he might have been and all that he had become….God gave him the last gift of the dying, the full vision of the beginning and the end….Out of it, as so often since that afternoon, came the sweet flower of his repentance: “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”… He who had just prayed for pardon for His murderers cannot turn away from a thief: “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.”…. “Today!”…. The word falls, serene and sure, unshadowed by doubt….
Men may argue endlessly about eternity and speculate fruitlessly about the hereafter….Here it is, the inn of heaven for two travelers who had met at the crossing of the Way of Sorrows and the way of sin….It was already past noon….Before twilight they were friends, inseparable forever….“With Me!”... “In Paradise.”…God and a thief….God and we….So He will be kind to us at the Last Day….He knows what we are and what we shall be….Now we can be content to wait until our own day fades to its dim evening….His voice will be the music of bells at evensong, no longer from a cross, but from a throne, with the warm immediacy and urgency of a heaven nearer than we had dared to hope….“Today!”…
07 April 2009
EWTN
Today during the preparation of the gifts, the cantor sang a lovely piece: "O Dearest Jesus." I love it when a Lutheran chorale is sung on that broadcast. As I said before, somehow, somewhere, deep down, the unity of the Western Church still holds - and shows up in such moments.
From the Original AV
- right before the daily lectionary which richly assigns 4 chapters a day (two in morning, two in evening) and reads through the Psalter each month:
"It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God; but a blessed thing it is, and will bring us to euerlasting blessednes in the end, when God speaketh vnto us, to hearken; when he setteth his word before vs, to reade it; when hee stretcheth out his hand and calleth, to answere, Here am I; here we are to doe thy will, O God. The Lord worke a care and conscience in vs to know him and serue him, that we may be acknowledged of him at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the holy Ghost, be all prayse and thankesgiuing."
"It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God; but a blessed thing it is, and will bring us to euerlasting blessednes in the end, when God speaketh vnto us, to hearken; when he setteth his word before vs, to reade it; when hee stretcheth out his hand and calleth, to answere, Here am I; here we are to doe thy will, O God. The Lord worke a care and conscience in vs to know him and serue him, that we may be acknowledged of him at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the holy Ghost, be all prayse and thankesgiuing."
What a Protestant!
There comes a heathen and says, "I wish to become a Christian, but I know not whom to join: there is much fighting and faction among you, much confusion: which doctrine am I to choose?" How shall we answer him? "Each of you" (says he) "asserts, 'I speak the truth.'" No doubt: this is in our favor. For if we told you to be persuaded by arguments, you might well be perplexed: but if we bid you believe the Scriptures, and these are simple and true, the decision is easy for you. If any agree with the Scriptures, he is the Christian; if any fight against them, he is far from this rule. -- St. John Chrysostom, (Homily 33 in Acts of the Apostles [NPNF1,11:210-11; PG 60.243-44])
From Today's Lenten Catechesis...
Therefore, the Sacrament is given as a daily pasture and sustenance, that faith may refresh and strengthen itself so that it will not fall back in such a battle, but become ever stronger and stronger. The new life must be guided so that it continually increases and progresses. Treasury, p. 127
Yes, Virginia, there IS progress in the new life as it "increases and progresses" - and the Sacrament of the Altar is a precious sustenance for that new life.
Yes, Virginia, there IS progress in the new life as it "increases and progresses" - and the Sacrament of the Altar is a precious sustenance for that new life.
Liturgy Thought for the Day
The reason most often behind folks not liking the liturgy, I suspect, is that they don't like the Word of God that is embodied therein; they sense in it something alien, foreign, even threatening. Best steer clear of it. MOST foreign is that it doesn't pander to what they like. In fact, it treats "what I like" as completely irrelevant and the impulse to demand "what I like" as something that needs to die.
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 1:14
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 1:14
Seen and Unseen
Seen:
A man dying, nailed up to a tree
A man dead and being carried to a tomb
A blue sky
Water poured upon a person with words
Bread over which words are spoken and then it is eaten
Wine over which words are spoken and then it is drunk
People coming together regularly in various assemblies around a book, a man who talks to them, and who talk to someone no one sees and a pitifully small meal they share
A book that is read in the assembly, and a book that is read at home
A man talking to a bunch of people
A man touching a person's head and speaking words
A bunch of people who attend to all the above
Love in the life
Unseen:
Christ entering the true most holy place by means of His own blood
Christ offering Himself once and for all through the Eternal Spirit without blemish to the Father
Christ at the right hand of God, interceding for us.
The blood of Jesus in the waters of Baptism
The communion of the Body of Christ with the consecrated bread
The communion of the Blood of Christ with the consecrated wine
The unity of all baptized believers in Christ
The Holy Spirit in the Words of Scripture
The Holy Spirit in faithful preaching
The Holy Spirit in the words of absolution
The Blessed Trinity living in the hearts of His people
Faith in the heart
"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17,18
A man dying, nailed up to a tree
A man dead and being carried to a tomb
A blue sky
Water poured upon a person with words
Bread over which words are spoken and then it is eaten
Wine over which words are spoken and then it is drunk
People coming together regularly in various assemblies around a book, a man who talks to them, and who talk to someone no one sees and a pitifully small meal they share
A book that is read in the assembly, and a book that is read at home
A man talking to a bunch of people
A man touching a person's head and speaking words
A bunch of people who attend to all the above
Love in the life
Unseen:
Christ entering the true most holy place by means of His own blood
Christ offering Himself once and for all through the Eternal Spirit without blemish to the Father
Christ at the right hand of God, interceding for us.
The blood of Jesus in the waters of Baptism
The communion of the Body of Christ with the consecrated bread
The communion of the Blood of Christ with the consecrated wine
The unity of all baptized believers in Christ
The Holy Spirit in the Words of Scripture
The Holy Spirit in faithful preaching
The Holy Spirit in the words of absolution
The Blessed Trinity living in the hearts of His people
Faith in the heart
"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17,18
The Big Sigh
I've got all the bulletins in my hands now (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday Chief Service, Good Friday Tenebrae Vespers, Easter Vigil, Easter Matins, Easter Divine Service) and the homilies are completed. Still have a few shutins I want to finish up this week, but mostly the week will be free for prayer, Scripture readings, and meditation - baring any unforeseen emergencies.
A Little OP for Holy Tuesday
I thirst.
THE first and last reflection of the agony of crucifixion…. Perhaps He thought for a moment of the time when, long ago, He had said the same words….To a woman at a well in Samaria….He had told her about the living waters that would never fail…Now He was bringing them to the world….
We cannot be very proud of what happened then….Someone took a sponge, wet it with vinegar, and held it to His lips…. Perhaps it was better than nothing….The world’s last offering to its King….Humanity carelessly brushing the lips of its God with vinegar….
If you have ever asked for a glass of water, He belongs to You….“For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.”….He knows them all….There is no need through which He has not made a path….
Perhaps we are not very important….But His complete humanity makes Him the Lord of little things….The broken pencil of the child, the broken home, the broken life—nothing is too small or unimportant to Him who sees a sparrow fall and here, as He was saving the world, was thirsty….
THE first and last reflection of the agony of crucifixion…. Perhaps He thought for a moment of the time when, long ago, He had said the same words….To a woman at a well in Samaria….He had told her about the living waters that would never fail…Now He was bringing them to the world….
We cannot be very proud of what happened then….Someone took a sponge, wet it with vinegar, and held it to His lips…. Perhaps it was better than nothing….The world’s last offering to its King….Humanity carelessly brushing the lips of its God with vinegar….
If you have ever asked for a glass of water, He belongs to You….“For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.”….He knows them all….There is no need through which He has not made a path….
Perhaps we are not very important….But His complete humanity makes Him the Lord of little things….The broken pencil of the child, the broken home, the broken life—nothing is too small or unimportant to Him who sees a sparrow fall and here, as He was saving the world, was thirsty….
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
The life of God in the life of the parish implies that the parish take worship seriously, that it nourishes itself at the font, the lectern, the pulpit, the altar. It is here Christ gives Himself to us so that we may become "other Christs" to others by serving them. -- A. C. Piepkorn *The Church* p. 134
Patristic Quote of the Day
Glory to Thee, Who didst descend to save our souls!
Glory to Thee, Who didst take flesh in the womb of the Virgin!
Glory to Thee, Who didst suffer bondage!
Glory to Thee, Who didst accept scourging!
Glory to Thee, Who wast made an object of humiliation!
Glory to Thee, Who was crucified!
Glory to Thee, Who wast buried!
Glory to Thee, Who didst rise from the dead!
--St. Ephraim, the Syrian *A Spiritual Psalter* #2
Glory to Thee, Who didst take flesh in the womb of the Virgin!
Glory to Thee, Who didst suffer bondage!
Glory to Thee, Who didst accept scourging!
Glory to Thee, Who wast made an object of humiliation!
Glory to Thee, Who was crucified!
Glory to Thee, Who wast buried!
Glory to Thee, Who didst rise from the dead!
--St. Ephraim, the Syrian *A Spiritual Psalter* #2
06 April 2009
Holy Tuesday and Maundy Thursday Antiphon
But far be it from me to boast
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Him is salvation, life, and resurrection from the dead;
by Him we are redeemed and set at liberty.
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Him is salvation, life, and resurrection from the dead;
by Him we are redeemed and set at liberty.
A Palm Sunday Laugh
So at Matins, in the examination of the Catechumens, I asked:
"What's included in daily bread?"
Jenna, a young lady, answered:
"Clothes!"
Jonathan, a young man, answered:
"Food!"
Chelsey, a young lady, answered:
"Shoes!"
And that, folks, says VOLUMES about the difference between your typical man and woman...
"What's included in daily bread?"
Jenna, a young lady, answered:
"Clothes!"
Jonathan, a young man, answered:
"Food!"
Chelsey, a young lady, answered:
"Shoes!"
And that, folks, says VOLUMES about the difference between your typical man and woman...
In the midst
I loved the collect for Divine Service this morning. Could we ask for anything more to the point?
"grant that in the midst of our failures and weaknesses we may be restored through the passion and intercession of Your only-begotten Son."
"grant that in the midst of our failures and weaknesses we may be restored through the passion and intercession of Your only-begotten Son."
Snow in April
brought back the memories today. The phone rang at 5:30 or so in the morning on Palm Sunday. I answered it and my mother said: "Bill, Joe's dead." What does one say at such a moment? If you are idiot like myself you say: "You're kidding, right?" She responded in anger: "Would I kid about a thing like that?" After getting off the phone I had to face Church. It was Palm Sunday - one of the most joyous days of the Church Year - and I was preaching. In fact I was preaching on the Old Testament reading from Zechariah: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion..." I went to Pastor Plvan when I saw he'd come to his office and told him. Wise man was silent. Said little, except: "Can you still do the service?" I didn't know if I could, but I thought I'd try. "Yes." During the first half of the liturgy, as the majestic hymns rolled through the Church I simply lost it. Tears flowed without any check. Pastor, across the chancel was getting more and more nervous. The acolyte, who didn't know what was going on, looked shocked and concerned. The time came to get into the pulpit. God is good and gracious. I was able to preach on joy to the people and most left that day without knowing what had happened. I begged Pastor not to announce it because I knew I couldn't handle the sympathy and still make it through both services.
We told the youth group - for I was supposed to lead Bible class. They were unbelievable. They went into action, booking our flight, arranging to get us to the airport after the Cantata that evening.
The ride was awful. A small plane. Lots of turbulence. It seemed fitting. I think we arrived in rain, and Cindi's parents and grandparents were there, with a car for us to use. Then off to the apartment and facing the family.
The absolute worst of those days was when the funeral director would not allow us to see the body. He insisted it was too damaged. The car wreck had been vicious. I think to this day I was wrong not to have insisted. For years I was haunted by the conviction that he wasn't really dead; that he managed to get away and get out. I'd have the dream over and over again.
The funeral director asked for socks. We DID put down our feet on that. Joseph did not like socks and next to never wore them (he did for our wedding, but I wasn't sure until he showed up that he'd have them on). We insisted he be buried in shoes. They didn't have any. We wore the same size and the same shoe - always a penny loafer. I went across the street and bought a pair of shoes and returned and gave mine to my brother. His body is still wearing them, I suppose.
My sister-in-law asked me to do the burial. It was, I think, a Thursday. It was early April. And it snowed. A light snow - just a tad more than a flurry. And my little nieces were shivering in their Easter dresses with white sweaters. It was a short service.
I love my brothers and my sister; but I think everyone of us had a very special relationship with Joseph. He was the middle child of the family. He always thought *I* was mom's favorite and it used to drive him crazy - the poor boy couldn't see what all the rest of us knew: Joe was everyone's favorite. We all loved him, respected him, and wanted his approval. He always seemed so much more alive than the rest of us. He and I used to love to argue - intellectual kind of arguments. It would drive the rest of them from the room, but we could keep it going for hours and hours. My dearest memory of him is one night after work (I worked in the summers at his warehouse), we went out for drinks and dinner and then back to talk. We talked until the light grew in the sky again. One night. It was one of the best nights of my life.
Enough melancholy. I thought if I wrote about it, it might make it better, but I'm thinking that snow in April right after Palm Sunday is going to get me every time - until I lay down in the grave myself.
Memory eternal, Joseph! Memory eternal!
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
The new life of God implies that every parish be a parish of worshippers, that we respond to God's total redemptive action by offering ourselves in our totality - all that we are and all that we have of the gifts of God's creation - back to Him in thanksgiving and praise. -- A. C. Piepkorn, *The Church* p. 134
Patristic Quote of the Day
I bow down to Thee, O Master; I bless Thee, O Good One; I beseech Thee, O Holy One; I fall down before Thee, O Lover of mankind; and I glorify Thee, O Christ; for Thou, O Only-begotten Master of all, O Only Sinless One, wast, for the sake of me, an unworthy sinner, given up to death on the cross in order to free the soul of a sinner from the bondage of sin. And how shall I repay Thee, O Master? Glory to Thee, O Lover of Mankind! Glory to Thee, O Merciful One! Glory to Thee, O Longsuffering One! Glory to Thee, who forgivest every fall into sin! -- St. Ephraim, the Syrian *A Spiritual Psalter* #2
A Little OP for Holy Monday
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
THIS was not the first mistake Roman justice had made…. Other innocent men had been crucified and had protested their innocence through lips swollen with agony….But here was some-thing new on a Roman cross….No cry of protest or of pain…Only a prayer that those who were doing this thing to Him might be forgiven…When men crucify their God, they can expect to hear something different…Nor had a voice like this been heard at Athens or Rome or Delphi….Other men had reached up into the Unknown; now God Himself was reaching into the Known.
His first word is His last prayer….It sweeps up to heaven burdened as no other prayer in the history of men…Burdened with sin…All the loneliness and hate and terror of the centuries before and after…A man’s sin is after all limited by the time and space allotted to him…He is completely sin, but he has only seventy years and a few square miles to work out his sinfulness… By the cross, however, all sin is swept up and placed on a hill be-yond Jerusalem…Here totals meet…All sin, total sin; and all for-giveness, total forgiveness…The sum of man’s years and man’s shame and the greater sum of God’s forgiveness and God’s love…
This is our faith…A religion without forgiveness is only the ghost of religion which haunts the grave of dead faith and lost hope…No wisdom, no culture, no philosophy can give answer to the first need of man, the need of a hand so strong that it can break down the wall of separation between the two worlds in which we must live and the need of a heart so great that it can take all his sins into itself and still have room for forgiveness… Surely one day this year—Good Friday—these two matters, sin and forgiveness, should be remembered …With the breathlessness of approaching death, a voice too long unheard cries in the shadow of the crosses we have raised for ourselves and others: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”… O.P. Kretzmann *The Pilgrim*
THIS was not the first mistake Roman justice had made…. Other innocent men had been crucified and had protested their innocence through lips swollen with agony….But here was some-thing new on a Roman cross….No cry of protest or of pain…Only a prayer that those who were doing this thing to Him might be forgiven…When men crucify their God, they can expect to hear something different…Nor had a voice like this been heard at Athens or Rome or Delphi….Other men had reached up into the Unknown; now God Himself was reaching into the Known.
His first word is His last prayer….It sweeps up to heaven burdened as no other prayer in the history of men…Burdened with sin…All the loneliness and hate and terror of the centuries before and after…A man’s sin is after all limited by the time and space allotted to him…He is completely sin, but he has only seventy years and a few square miles to work out his sinfulness… By the cross, however, all sin is swept up and placed on a hill be-yond Jerusalem…Here totals meet…All sin, total sin; and all for-giveness, total forgiveness…The sum of man’s years and man’s shame and the greater sum of God’s forgiveness and God’s love…
This is our faith…A religion without forgiveness is only the ghost of religion which haunts the grave of dead faith and lost hope…No wisdom, no culture, no philosophy can give answer to the first need of man, the need of a hand so strong that it can break down the wall of separation between the two worlds in which we must live and the need of a heart so great that it can take all his sins into itself and still have room for forgiveness… Surely one day this year—Good Friday—these two matters, sin and forgiveness, should be remembered …With the breathlessness of approaching death, a voice too long unheard cries in the shadow of the crosses we have raised for ourselves and others: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”… O.P. Kretzmann *The Pilgrim*
05 April 2009
Palm/Passion Sunday
I love this Sunday - there are no two ways about it. The music ranks right up next to Easter itself (the people belted it out; and the fabulous trumpet was the icing on the cake). The solemn transition from the Procession with Palms to the Service of the Word with the veiling of the crosses; the St. Matthew Passion; the confirmations and the ringing of the great church bell as hands are laid upon each head; and the joyous celebration of the Sacrament and first communions - words fail.
Carol told me today that she asked her husband's brother (a Roman Catholic) how he liked the service. He said he loved it - just like their old service (I think he was referring to pre-Vatican II - and I take that as a compliment indeed).
The solemnity of a Lutheran Eucharist IS a beautiful thing to behold and participate in - the chanting of the proper preface, the chanting of Our Father and its doxology, the chanting of the Words of Christ with elevation and genuflection. All of the ceremony bespeaks the reverence which the Holy Church seeks to nurture in all her children as they approach the dread mystery of Christ's body and blood. We are, in the Divine Service, after all, coram Deo.
To You before Your Passion
They sang their hymns of praise.
To You now high exalted
Our melodies we raise!
Carol told me today that she asked her husband's brother (a Roman Catholic) how he liked the service. He said he loved it - just like their old service (I think he was referring to pre-Vatican II - and I take that as a compliment indeed).
The solemnity of a Lutheran Eucharist IS a beautiful thing to behold and participate in - the chanting of the proper preface, the chanting of Our Father and its doxology, the chanting of the Words of Christ with elevation and genuflection. All of the ceremony bespeaks the reverence which the Holy Church seeks to nurture in all her children as they approach the dread mystery of Christ's body and blood. We are, in the Divine Service, after all, coram Deo.
To You before Your Passion
They sang their hymns of praise.
To You now high exalted
Our melodies we raise!
Out of the Mouth of an Ass
So, let me tell you my story. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be saddled with ears like what I got? And when I go to open my mouth, what comes out but this obnoxious sound: “Hee-haw! Hee-haw!”
Everyone made fun of me. All the other animals. They said I was half-grown. They said I was God’s joke on the animal kingdom. They said I wasn’t good for anything but carrying heavy burdens on my back. They said I was as stupid was I was stubborn.
I used to let it get to me. I used to feel kinda low. But then one day something happened. Something that changed me forever. And now, when I swagger down the street, all those smarty animals look at me with envy. Let me tell you about it. It happened like this.
There I was, mindin’ my own business, munchin’ away on some grass. It was spring and boy did that fresh grass taste great. I mean, you gotta imagine what it’s like to have straw shoved down your throat all winter long. Yuck! Now, where was I? Oh, yea. I was eatin’ this new grass, when along come these people that I never laid eyes on before. They walked right up to me, untied me and started to lead me away.
Well, do you think I was just going to let them donkey-nap me? No way. I started my hee-hawing and planted my feet firm. And pretty soon my owner showed up and wanted to know what these bozos were up to, making off with his prize donkey, right? So, I settle back to hear him tell them off. Only he doesn’t. They say to him: “The Lord has need of him.” And right away my owner wacks me with a stick and tells me to start with these men I’ve never seen. Now, I ask you, does this make any sense?
So there I was, feeling dejected, rejected, and humbled. Handed over to strangers without a fight. But then, they bring me to Him. You humans. You humans are so blind. You can’t see what’s right before your eyes. But not us animals. We are not so stupid as to not recognize the hand that made us. I started shivering and shaking, let me tell you. I was scared. I mean, there was God. All got up like a human. Well, I mean, He was a human. But it was God. You get what I mean? And He looks into my eyes and He knows that I know who He is, right? And you know what He done?
He smiled. He smiled and He winked. Like it was a big secret between me and Him. And then they lift him up on my back. My back. Here I was, your average donkey, and the Creator of all actually sat Himself down on my back. Let me tell you, I held my head up high.
Who notices a donkey? I mean, you’d have to be a donkey to realize how everybody ignores you. But not that day, no siree. They crowded around me and they sang to Him. Clothes were coming off as people lined the path before my feet. Palm branches filled the air. And everyone everywhere was shoutin’ “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest!”
Down that big hill and then up to the city walls, I carried Him. And I could tell He was glad, and yet sad. You see, He was riding to that City to die. His look told me that too. He was going to die to fix this world. He was going to die to get rid of the death and sorrow that fills this place. He was going die to open up the way back home – back to where we all really belong. Donkeys too.
When He got off my back we were right outside the temple. He looked into my eyes and I don’t mind tellin’ youse – I couldn’t hold back the tears. But the look He gave me was as clear as it could be: “It’s not good-bye, donkey! It’s until we meet again! Because even though I die, I am not going to remain dead. I’m going rise again!” And then He smiled that smile and I was the happiest donkey in the world.
Now, like I said, you humans sometimes are so blind. I’m sure you don’t mean to be, but it amazes us animals. Because just like the Master rode into town on that fine spring day in Jerusalem, He still rides into your town. Only this time, I don’t get to carry Him, this time He comes on bread and wine. I mean, if you had animal eyes you’d see Him right there, right there on that altar after the words are spoken: “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.” The same Jesus – the one that rode on my back. He comes to you right there, and then I wish I was a human so I could smile and receive Him too. Because when you sing: “Hosanna in the highest and blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” each week, it’s just like it happened all over again, and I’m carrying Him into town.
Humans! Do you even begin to realize the blessings you got? Open your eyes. Take it from a donkey.
Everyone made fun of me. All the other animals. They said I was half-grown. They said I was God’s joke on the animal kingdom. They said I wasn’t good for anything but carrying heavy burdens on my back. They said I was as stupid was I was stubborn.
I used to let it get to me. I used to feel kinda low. But then one day something happened. Something that changed me forever. And now, when I swagger down the street, all those smarty animals look at me with envy. Let me tell you about it. It happened like this.
There I was, mindin’ my own business, munchin’ away on some grass. It was spring and boy did that fresh grass taste great. I mean, you gotta imagine what it’s like to have straw shoved down your throat all winter long. Yuck! Now, where was I? Oh, yea. I was eatin’ this new grass, when along come these people that I never laid eyes on before. They walked right up to me, untied me and started to lead me away.
Well, do you think I was just going to let them donkey-nap me? No way. I started my hee-hawing and planted my feet firm. And pretty soon my owner showed up and wanted to know what these bozos were up to, making off with his prize donkey, right? So, I settle back to hear him tell them off. Only he doesn’t. They say to him: “The Lord has need of him.” And right away my owner wacks me with a stick and tells me to start with these men I’ve never seen. Now, I ask you, does this make any sense?
So there I was, feeling dejected, rejected, and humbled. Handed over to strangers without a fight. But then, they bring me to Him. You humans. You humans are so blind. You can’t see what’s right before your eyes. But not us animals. We are not so stupid as to not recognize the hand that made us. I started shivering and shaking, let me tell you. I was scared. I mean, there was God. All got up like a human. Well, I mean, He was a human. But it was God. You get what I mean? And He looks into my eyes and He knows that I know who He is, right? And you know what He done?
He smiled. He smiled and He winked. Like it was a big secret between me and Him. And then they lift him up on my back. My back. Here I was, your average donkey, and the Creator of all actually sat Himself down on my back. Let me tell you, I held my head up high.
Who notices a donkey? I mean, you’d have to be a donkey to realize how everybody ignores you. But not that day, no siree. They crowded around me and they sang to Him. Clothes were coming off as people lined the path before my feet. Palm branches filled the air. And everyone everywhere was shoutin’ “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest!”
Down that big hill and then up to the city walls, I carried Him. And I could tell He was glad, and yet sad. You see, He was riding to that City to die. His look told me that too. He was going to die to fix this world. He was going to die to get rid of the death and sorrow that fills this place. He was going die to open up the way back home – back to where we all really belong. Donkeys too.
When He got off my back we were right outside the temple. He looked into my eyes and I don’t mind tellin’ youse – I couldn’t hold back the tears. But the look He gave me was as clear as it could be: “It’s not good-bye, donkey! It’s until we meet again! Because even though I die, I am not going to remain dead. I’m going rise again!” And then He smiled that smile and I was the happiest donkey in the world.
Now, like I said, you humans sometimes are so blind. I’m sure you don’t mean to be, but it amazes us animals. Because just like the Master rode into town on that fine spring day in Jerusalem, He still rides into your town. Only this time, I don’t get to carry Him, this time He comes on bread and wine. I mean, if you had animal eyes you’d see Him right there, right there on that altar after the words are spoken: “This is my body given for you; this is my blood shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.” The same Jesus – the one that rode on my back. He comes to you right there, and then I wish I was a human so I could smile and receive Him too. Because when you sing: “Hosanna in the highest and blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” each week, it’s just like it happened all over again, and I’m carrying Him into town.
Humans! Do you even begin to realize the blessings you got? Open your eyes. Take it from a donkey.
04 April 2009
Last Minute Reminder
St. Paul's schedule for tomorrow:
7:45 MATINS with Examination of Catechumens
9:00 RECEPTION for Catechumens and their families
10:00 DIVINE SERVICE with Rite of Confirmation and First Communion
Holy Week:
Holy Monday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Holy Tuesday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Holy Wednesday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Triduum:
Maundy Thursday - 7:15 p.m. Sung DIVINE SERVICE with stripping of the Altar
Good Friday - Noon, Chief Service; 7:15 p.m., Tenebrae Vespers
Vigil of Easter - 8:00 p.m. DIVINE SERVICE with Adult Confirmations
Holy Pascha:
Matins - 6:30
Easter Breakfast - 7:30
Easter Egg Hunt - 8:00
Preservice Music - 8:30
DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD - 9:00 a.m.
7:45 MATINS with Examination of Catechumens
9:00 RECEPTION for Catechumens and their families
10:00 DIVINE SERVICE with Rite of Confirmation and First Communion
Holy Week:
Holy Monday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Holy Tuesday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Holy Wednesday - 7:00 a.m. Spoken DIVINE SERVICE
Triduum:
Maundy Thursday - 7:15 p.m. Sung DIVINE SERVICE with stripping of the Altar
Good Friday - Noon, Chief Service; 7:15 p.m., Tenebrae Vespers
Vigil of Easter - 8:00 p.m. DIVINE SERVICE with Adult Confirmations
Holy Pascha:
Matins - 6:30
Easter Breakfast - 7:30
Easter Egg Hunt - 8:00
Preservice Music - 8:30
DIVINE SERVICE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD - 9:00 a.m.
Passiontide Hymn
The royal banners forward go;The cross shows forth redemption's flow,
Where He, by whom our flesh was made,
Our ransom in His flesh has paid:
Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
Life's torrent rushing from His side,
To wash us in that precious flood
Where flowed the water and the blood.
Fulfilled is all that David told
In sure prophetic song of old,
That God the nation's king should be
And reign in triumph from the tree.
On whose hard arms so widely flung
The weight of this world's ransom hung,
The price of human kind to pay,
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.
O tree of beauty, tree most fair,
Ordained those holy limbs to bear:
Gone is the shame, each crimsoned bough
Proclaims the King of Glory now.
To Thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done;
As by the cross Thou dost restore,
So guide and keep us evermore. Amen.
--Venatius Honorius Fortunatus
LSB 455
David and I just shared
some music back and forth on our computers (he, a fabulous piano piece by a Korean composer; me some of the High Kings video). I said: "Can you imagine how it would be to be a family with no music?" He answered back: "AWFUL!" I can't even begin to conceive of a life without music. No how. No way. Truth is, we're always in Bombadil's house and singing is always more natural than speaking. It's practice for heaven, after all.
So, Lucy
starts barking like crazy at the back door. Now, I'm sure no one has come in, but I open it up and look downstairs when in my face a BIRD flies up the stairs. Yikes. Before I can get the window open in the kitchen, it's in the living room. That's a good spot. It's flying against our front windows, but we maneuver it behind the sheers and shoo it out an open window. But the biggy is HOW DID IT GET IN OUR BASEMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE???
Good, Lucy. She's a great watchdog...for lost birds.
Good, Lucy. She's a great watchdog...for lost birds.
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
[Holy Baptism] is the door by which a person enters the Kingdom of grace. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 328
Patristic Quote of the Day
For Thy servant Thy grace has become a refuge, strength, a defense, ennoblement, praise and food for the whole of his life. How can Thy servant be silent, O Master, after having tasted the great sweetness of Thy love and grace? -- St. Ephraim the Syrian, *A Spiritual Psalter* #7
The Whole of Holy Week
and the whole of our lives as Christians is the conviction expressed in this line from our Good Friday liturgy:
We adore You, O Lord,
and we praise and glorify
Your holy resurrection.
For behold,
by the wood of Your cross
joy has come into all the world.
Oh, beloved in the Lord, let these words sink deeply into our souls. Pray them each day. And above all, come to see them fulfilled this week in the various liturgies that open up for us the Paschal mystery.
We adore You, O Lord,
and we praise and glorify
Your holy resurrection.
For behold,
by the wood of Your cross
joy has come into all the world.
Oh, beloved in the Lord, let these words sink deeply into our souls. Pray them each day. And above all, come to see them fulfilled this week in the various liturgies that open up for us the Paschal mystery.
Under the Category of: "I Wish I Had Written That"
Dr. Stuckwisch on ecclesiastical idolatry - INSIDE of Lutheranism!
Getting Ready for Palm Sunday and Confirmations
Congratulations to Jenna, Jonathan, Chelsey, Alex and Austin!
03 April 2009
Luther on Palm Sunday
Here, then, is the difference between this King and worldly rulers: They are concerned about people managing house and home, governing lands and subjects, acquiring money and property, becoming rich and powerful - all for the present time. Our Christ-King, on the other hand, wants us to know how to inherit the Kingdom of heaven, how to be saved and become eternally rich, so that we may finally enter the other better life. Over there, eating, drinking, and working to sustain physical life will no longer be necessary, as it always is in this world. Yes, there these bodies of ours will be more beautiful, more lovely than the dear sun itself! There we will no longer be sad, weak, or sick, but everlastingly happy and healthy, strong and vigorous. House Postil I:368
Friday's Run and Fun
Finishing up my pot of coffee this morning when the phone rings. Eric from Metro reminding me I have chapel today. UGH! Off to print off liturgy at the school (thank heavens the new copier prints so quickly). Cindi and I head over to Walmart to pick up material for the cross veils for this Sunday. Then over to Metro for chapel. Gas up the Honda. Then to Y for a great workout - I think back and shoulder days are my favorites. Home for lunch - burger on greens - and I've devised a great new dressing: ranch with habenero sauce (youch!). Blogging and surfing this afternoon while Cin ran Jo to a Dr.'s appointment. Tonight will be liverpool and this time, surely this time, I might win? Miracles still happen!!!
I REALLY Wish
I had seen this concert:
Isn't that just amazing?
Of all the money e'er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
Isn't that just amazing?
Of all the money e'er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
How do Higher Critics
with their take on Yam Suph deal with 1 Kings 9 and Solomon's navy docking at Ezion-Geber on the edge of the Yam Suph?
Ride On!
Ride on, ride on in majesty!Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry.
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road
With palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp rise on to die.
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
O'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
The angel armies of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes
To see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on His sapphire throne
Awaits His own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain
Then take, O Christ, Thy power and reign.
LSB 441
What a Gift
to discouraged pastors does the Treasury give us today. Moses standing there, having been soundly chewed out by the foremen of the people of Israel. "O Lord, why have you done this evil to your people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people and you have not delivered your people at all."
It all seemed so pointless at that moment. Such a colossal failure and the attempt to help only brought increased sorrow.
So God pushes us to the zero point. To the point where we have no confidence left in ourselves at all. And then he cheerfully tosses our way: "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh." Hang on to your britches, Mr. Moses, you ain't seen NOTHIN yet! His Word will not fail; it will do what He sent it to do. Glory to You, Lord Jesus! Glory to You!
It all seemed so pointless at that moment. Such a colossal failure and the attempt to help only brought increased sorrow.
So God pushes us to the zero point. To the point where we have no confidence left in ourselves at all. And then he cheerfully tosses our way: "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh." Hang on to your britches, Mr. Moses, you ain't seen NOTHIN yet! His Word will not fail; it will do what He sent it to do. Glory to You, Lord Jesus! Glory to You!
When Another One Leaves
It is no secret to anyone with open eyes and ears that Lutherans have lost a shocking number of clergy over the past several years to the East or to Rome. Whenever another one leaves, we sometimes hear quite unrealistic opining over what led them to go. The silliest is that they liked fancy clothes and sweet smelling incense. Please.
The far deeper and harder thing for Lutherans to face is that so many of these pastors have left because they became convinced that Lutherans no longer wished nor intend to BE Lutheran. And so they were drawn to communions where the things that they valued (a stable liturgy, a life of prayer, the centering of the Church's life in the Holy Eucharist, active practice of confession and absolution) were in evidence. And gradually they became convinced by those communions that each one (respectively) WAS the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of the Creed.
So when word comes that yet another has departed our ranks, I'd suggest that the wiser course is to admit up front that Lutheranism is in a world of hurt; that each departure move us to work all the harder toward the repair of what we can. A day ago or so, several Lutheran blogs posted the wise words of Neuhaus:
"If the Lutheran Church has a future, it will be as the Lutheran Church. It will not be as imitation Baptists, Presbyterians, or anything else. If people are to become, remain, and rejoice in being Lutheran, it is because they understand the distinctively Lutheran way of being Christian. Being Lutheran is an evangelical catholic and catholic evangelical way of being in unity with the entire Church of Christ. The present state of American Lutheranism is not just "not satisfactory." It is a sickness unto death. The alternative is not beating the drums to revive flagging spirits, nor is it to move evangelism a few notches up on the bureaucratic agenda. The alternative is renewal -- theological, pastoral, sacramental, catechetical. The alternative is to be something that others might have some reason to join." Richard John Neuhaus, 1986 (quoted in Forum Letter March 09)
These words need to be taken to heart. I don't know if Lutheranism in this country can be saved or not. But that's not ultimately my job or yours. My task as a Lutheran pastor is to seek to foster that renewal which Neuhaus described: a renewal in theology; a renewal in pastoral practice; a renewal in sacramental life; a renewal in catechesis. He left off what is perhaps the most important of all, for it is where all renewal begins: a renewal in the Word of God and in prayer. These will be LUTHERAN renewal if they are lived out from the joyous "aha" that is AC IV.
It is not ours to judge another Man's servant. Our Lord makes that clear and so does the Apostle. Our task is always to examine ourselves and look to our own repentance. Let us do so cheerfully and with hope. We are indeed sick unto death, but the Lord whose mercy we will be seeking is the Master of raising the dead and restoring hope to the hopeless. Ne desperemus, my brothers and sisters. Ne desperemus - for behold, by the Cross joy has come into all the world (and not merely the Roman or Orthodox corner of it)!
Wishing you each the joy of the Paschal Mystery as we enter into Holy Week!
The far deeper and harder thing for Lutherans to face is that so many of these pastors have left because they became convinced that Lutherans no longer wished nor intend to BE Lutheran. And so they were drawn to communions where the things that they valued (a stable liturgy, a life of prayer, the centering of the Church's life in the Holy Eucharist, active practice of confession and absolution) were in evidence. And gradually they became convinced by those communions that each one (respectively) WAS the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of the Creed.
So when word comes that yet another has departed our ranks, I'd suggest that the wiser course is to admit up front that Lutheranism is in a world of hurt; that each departure move us to work all the harder toward the repair of what we can. A day ago or so, several Lutheran blogs posted the wise words of Neuhaus:
"If the Lutheran Church has a future, it will be as the Lutheran Church. It will not be as imitation Baptists, Presbyterians, or anything else. If people are to become, remain, and rejoice in being Lutheran, it is because they understand the distinctively Lutheran way of being Christian. Being Lutheran is an evangelical catholic and catholic evangelical way of being in unity with the entire Church of Christ. The present state of American Lutheranism is not just "not satisfactory." It is a sickness unto death. The alternative is not beating the drums to revive flagging spirits, nor is it to move evangelism a few notches up on the bureaucratic agenda. The alternative is renewal -- theological, pastoral, sacramental, catechetical. The alternative is to be something that others might have some reason to join." Richard John Neuhaus, 1986 (quoted in Forum Letter March 09)
These words need to be taken to heart. I don't know if Lutheranism in this country can be saved or not. But that's not ultimately my job or yours. My task as a Lutheran pastor is to seek to foster that renewal which Neuhaus described: a renewal in theology; a renewal in pastoral practice; a renewal in sacramental life; a renewal in catechesis. He left off what is perhaps the most important of all, for it is where all renewal begins: a renewal in the Word of God and in prayer. These will be LUTHERAN renewal if they are lived out from the joyous "aha" that is AC IV.
It is not ours to judge another Man's servant. Our Lord makes that clear and so does the Apostle. Our task is always to examine ourselves and look to our own repentance. Let us do so cheerfully and with hope. We are indeed sick unto death, but the Lord whose mercy we will be seeking is the Master of raising the dead and restoring hope to the hopeless. Ne desperemus, my brothers and sisters. Ne desperemus - for behold, by the Cross joy has come into all the world (and not merely the Roman or Orthodox corner of it)!
Wishing you each the joy of the Paschal Mystery as we enter into Holy Week!
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
The Holy Spirit renews the face of the earth not only with the annual renewal with which all things begin to turn green and produce foliage in the springtime after they had become dead during the winter but also with a daily renewal by which other things are born everyday to preserve the species. These newborn things again take the place of those that have been subjected to death and destruction. He renews the face of the earth not only externally and corporeally in the way just explained, but also internally and spiritually because He illumines, regenerates, and renews the hearts of men; takes them out of the darkness of error and ignorance; and places them in the light of the saving knowledge of God. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *On the Trinity* par. 132
Patristic Quote of the Day
Great assurance has God given! Well may we celebrate the Passover, wherein was shed the blood of the Lord, by which we are cleansed "from all sin!" Let us be assured: the "handwriting which was against us," Colossians 2:14 the bond of our slavery, the devil held, but by the blood of Christ it is blotted out. "The blood," says he, "of His Son shall purge us from all sin." -- St. Augustine, Homilies on 1 John
02 April 2009
A Not So Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
There is nothing more basic to the Christian faith and life than prayer. For prayer is the very voice of faith itself and the primary good work of the Christian life, an act of love for both God and the neighbor. -- Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch, Treasury, p. 14
A Treasury Oops?
You might notice that on page O-64, the heading in the second column is "Holy (Maundy) Thursday." But you might also notice that come Palm Sunday, you're directed to these pages for Holy Week propers. So you might finally notice that the Invitatory is expressly noted as for Holy Week even though it is under the heading for Maundy Thursday, though the antiphon and Responsory do seem to be keyed specifically to Maundy Thursday. My best guess is that the Invitatory alone switches on Holy Week, while the Responsory remains the Lenten one until Maundy Thursday.
Christ has become obedient to death, even death on a cross.
O come, let us worship Him!
[We might also wish to note: Brotherhood Prayer Book provides a Responsory for Passiontide (He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter... p. 438) but follows the practice of the Roman Breviary of omitting the Invitatory, Venite and any Responsories during the Triduum itself. The Magedburg book, however, retains all these]
Christ has become obedient to death, even death on a cross.
O come, let us worship Him!
[We might also wish to note: Brotherhood Prayer Book provides a Responsory for Passiontide (He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter... p. 438) but follows the practice of the Roman Breviary of omitting the Invitatory, Venite and any Responsories during the Triduum itself. The Magedburg book, however, retains all these]