New Lutheran Quote of the Day

The core value of holiness in the first-century world of Jesus and the apostles is still our core value today as our people enter into the bodily presence of Christ in His Word and Meal. The temple had its boundaries that kept those who were not worthy or prepared from entering God's holiness; we today also enter God's holy presence, confessing our sins in repentance and faith and hearing God's absolution. Public confession and absolution are not part of the Divine Service but preparation to enter Christ's bodily presence and receive the gifts from that presence. -- Arthur Just, *Heaven On Earth* p. 184