Luther

He is thy king, the king promised to thee, whose own thou art. He and no other shall rule over thee, but in spirit and not after worldly rule. This is He for whom thou didst long from the beginning. This is He for whom thy dear forefathers were yearning and crying with heartfelt desire.—Sermon for Ad Te Levavi, 1522.

Patristic Quote of the Day

God did this so that whenever the Devil saw the matters of piety not diminishing, despite the shepherds’ removal, nor the word of the message being extinguished, but rather growing, he might learn through experience—both he himself and those who serve him in these matters—that our affairs are not human, but that the basis of our teaching has its root above in heaven, and it is God who guides the Churches in every respect, and that it isn’t possible for the individual who fights God to ever overcome Him.—St. John Chrysostom, On the Holy Martyr Ignatius, par. 12.

Catechesis: Studying the Catechism

Oh, what mad, senseless fools are we! While we must ever live and dwell among such mighty enemies as the devils, we still despise our weapons and defense, and we are too lazy to look at or think of them!—LC Longer Preface, 15

Patristic Quote of the Day

These things are difficult but also rewarding. Don’t focus on the present obstacles, but on the future benefits; not on the tortures at hand, but the anticipated blessings; not the sufferings, but the prizes; not the labors, but the crowns; not the sweat expended, but the rewards; not the sorrows, but the returns; not the consuming fire, but the kingdom that lies ahead; not the executioners standing all around, but Christ crowned. This is the greatest method and easiest path to virtue, to focus on not just the labors, but also the rewards that follow the labors, but not just individually.—St. John Chrysostom, On the Holy Martyrs, par. 7

Catechesis: Studying the Catechism

For even if they know and understand the catechism perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), there are still many benefits and fruits to be gained, if it is daily read and practiced in thought and speech. For example, the Holy Spirit is present in such reading, repetition, and meditation. He bestows ever new and more light and devoutness. In this way the catechism is daily loved and appreciated better.—LC Longer Preface 9

Luther

He rides there so beggarly, but hearken to what is said and preached about this poor king. His wretchedness and poverty are manifest, for He comes riding on an ass like a beggar having neither saddle nor spurs. But that He will take from us sin, strangle death, endow us with eternal holiness, eternal bliss, and eternal life, this cannot be seen. Wherefore thou must hear and believe.—Sermon for Ad Te Levavi, 1533

Ad Te Levavi

And so…

…with the setting of the sun today, holy Advent-tide arrives. I always have thought that the collect for this first Sunday of Advent captures our need for this fast (which the world around us seems quite determined to seduce us into ignoring): Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy power and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. It is because we are always forgetting that our sins, our very personal rebellions, are threatening and perilous, that we need the arrival of St. John the Baptist. The preface from TLH for this season: “whose way John the Baptist prepared, proclaiming Him the Messiah, the very Lamb of God, and calling sinners to repentance that they might escape from the wrath to be revealed when He cometh again.” O Lord, during these holy days through the preaching and meditation on Your Word awaken us all to the dangers of our disregard of You and Your will and Your commandments. Give us lives of genuine repentance, heeding the warning of St. John, and help us always to be ready for Your Son’s Advent; we ask it in His holy name. Amen!

Well, it took all day…

…but we got it done. A few pics from around the place:

Gerhard and Walther

The Church is the bride of Christ, and so is every godly soul; let it take heed then not to cling to Satan in an unholy union.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXIII

The fact that even those who believe in Holy Scripture err in articles of faith is not because God’s Word is unclear and misleading, but simply because those believers too often follow their reason, their conceit, their heart, their prejudices, or the authority of man instead of the clear Word of God.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 894.

*Note this is the final post in this particular series. Next week, the first week in Advent, we return to wisdom from Dr. Luther, based mainly on the delightful Day by Day We Magnify Thee. My copy is a little the worse for wear, but wouldn’t trade it for anything. I bought it with money given on my confirmation in 1974:

Patristic Quote of the Day

Our Maker and Creator brought us out of darkness into His universe as it were out of a tomb; even before our birth He was ready with His favours for us. To Him we owe everything, and therefore on every count we are under the obligation to return thanks to Him. Glory be to Him forever and ever, Amen.—St. Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, par. 38.

Catechesis: Church Authority

“The one who hears you hears Me” cannot be understood of traditions. Christ requires that they teach in such a way that He Himself is heard because He says “The one…hears Me.” Therefore, He wishes His own voice, His own Word to be heard, not human traditions.—Ap XXVIII:19

A wonderful day

Cindi and I were up early as usual, and she got the turkey in the oven before heading up to sing Matins at St. Paul’s. The bells kicked off our joy with a setting of “Praise to the Lord.” We got to sing “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.” Pastor Gleason was liturgist and preacher, and did he ever do an outstanding job on the homily! He nailed it. And so did Cindy Gleason as she sang her haunting Vaughn Williams solo: Blest is the Man that Trusteth in Thee, the choir coming in after her solo parts. After the homily we sang the Te Deum and the closing prayers. The final hymn was “Now Thank We All Our God.” Oh, and we were also blessed with Cole and Zach on trumpets, playing along with our amazing Kantor.

We had the Weedons and the Ibisches join us for Matins, but the Herberts didn’t arrive till a bit later. All in all, we were 19: our 10 grandchildren, our three children and spouses, Cindi and I and Opa. The meal was a feast and a half: turkey, ham, and rope sausage; green beans and mashed taters; two kinds of sweet tater casserole; salad; gravies; jello molds; bacon and mushrooms cooked in a wine and butter sauce. 

After the meal, we gathered in the living room for our traditional Advent / Christmas hymn sing. Then back to eating with dessert: carnivore pumpkin pie for Cindi and me (really tasty…you’ll just have to wonder); apple pie; pecan pie; chocolate marvel paleo pie; and some left over pumpkin cake. 

The Weedons had to leave early to celebrate up with the Zoschkes in Litchfield. But the others hung around, and the youngsters made gingerbread houses (well, that was the idea…lots just got eaten!). Now they’re all on their way home and Cindi and I are enjoying this (with the remnants of the hymn sing still visible): 

Upon Thanksgiving Day…

All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season.

So that that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.

And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.

—Ecclesiasticus 39:33-35

Gerhard and Walther

Contemplate, O devout soul, the exalted dignity of the Church, and render due thanks to Almighty God. Great indeed are the benefits which God bestows upon us in and through the Church.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations XXIII.

The most frightening thing about this complete transformation of the Christian faith in our day concerns the role of the teacher. It is the total defection from the most supreme principle in all of Christianity: that Holy Scripture is the Word of the great God.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 893.

Patristic Quote of the Day

We see, then, that good works have not only embellished the lives of all just men, but are an adornment with which even the Lord has delighted to deck Himself; and therefore, with such an example before us, let us spare no effort to obey His will, but put all our energies into the work of righteousness.—St. Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians par. 33.

Catechesis: Church Authority

But their [the bishops’] is not to be tyrannical, without a fixed law. Nor is it to be regal, above the law. Rather, they have a fixed command and a fixed Word of God, according to which they should teach and exercise their jurisdiction.—Ap XXVIII:14

The sun when it appeareth

The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew; The sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvelous instrument, the work of the most High…Great is the Lord that hath made it.—Ecclesiasticus 43:1-2, 5.

Gerhard and Walther

The holy Church of God sustains the relations of mother, virgin, bride. She is mother because she daily bears spiritual sons to God. She is as a chaste virgin, because she keeps herself pure from all unholy alliances with the devil and the world. She is bride, because Christ hath betrothed her to Himself by an eternal covenant, and hath given her the pledge of the Spirit.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXIII

There is a great difference between being convinced of something and carrying it in the heart, and regarding something as true and practicing it in life.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 887.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Because of the love He bore us, our Lord Jesus Christ, at the will of God, gave His blood for us – His flesh for our flesh, His life for our life. —St. Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, par. 49.

Catechesis: Church Authority

Writing to the Colossians (2:20-23), Paul says that traditions do not help with respect to eternal righteousness and eternal life, because food, drink, clothing, and the like are things that perish through use. Eternal life is worked in the heart by eternal things, that is, by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.—Ap XXVIII:10.

Gerhard and Walther

No man will have God as his Father in heaven who refuses to have the Church for his mother upon the earth.—Johann Gerhard (quoting St. Cyprian), Sacred Meditation XXIII

Christ wants to cover our sins, but He also wants to take them away. He wants to clothe us with His righteousness, but He also wants to take shape in us, to be the High Priest who reconciles us with God, and to be the King who rules over us and in us. He suffered and died to atone for our sins, but He also rose and ascended into heaven that He might live in us and we in Him and so we might walk a new life.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 888.

Patristic Quote of the Day

But the great and dreadful day of the Lord must be believed to be either that of the resurrection, or certainly, after a long time, the Day of Judgment, which is truly great and dreadful. But because of the following, “And it shall come to pass that all who shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved, and the apostle Paul applies this to the time of our Lord’s passion, it must be understood instead of the resurrection.—St. Jerome on Joel 2:28ff.

Catechesis: Church Authority

If only the adversaries would hear, on the other hand, the complaints of the churches and godly minds! The adversaries courageously guard their own dignities and wealth. Meanwhile, they neglect the condition of the churches. They do not care that the churches are rightly taught and that the Sacraments are duly administered.—Ap XXVIII:3

Gerhard and Walther

It was appropriate that He [the Holy Ghost] should come like unto wind, since He proceeds from the Father and the Son by an eternal breath.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations XXII

There once was a time when Christ was almost completely silenced in Christendom. This was the time before the Reformation. Mary and the so-called saints had almost entirely displaced Christ from Christianity and occupied His place. There is no longer such a silence about Christ.—C. F .W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 882.

Patristic Quote of the Day

The salvation of God cannot appear unless the Holy Spirit is poured out. And whosoever says he believes in Christ, while not believing in the Holy Spirit, will not possess the eyes of a perfect faith.—St. Jerome, On Joel 2:28ff.

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

In the latter [worship of saints], there are two faults. First, the saints are put in Christ’s place, and they are wickedly worshipped, just as the Dominicans invented the rosary of the Blessed Virgin, which is mere babbling, as foolish as it is wicked, and nourishes the most empty arrogance. Then, too, these very impieties were applied only for profit.—Ap XXVII:53

Gerhard and Walther

He [the Holy Ghost] unites us to Christ through faith; He makes God one with us through love; He joins us to our neighbor in Christian affection….As the Holy Spirit united the divine and human natures in Christ by His own overshadowing power, so also by the outpouring of His gracious gifts upon us He unites us to God and God to us.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXII

The person who has not yet learned to know God as his Father in Christ will find it impossible to joyfully endure many, great, and lengthy sufferings and afflictions. But how completely different it is with those who vividly recognize that God is their dear Father and they are His dear children!—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 881. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

Now because I am gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, I command you again and say, ‘Sound the trumpet in Zion,’ and preach repentance among the people.—St. Jerome on Joel 2:15ff. 

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

Evangelical poverty does not come from the abandonment of property, but from not being greedy, from not trusting in wealth, just as David was poor in a most wealthy kingdom.—Ap XXVII:46

Gerhard and Walther

What wonder is it that the Holy Spirit is sent from heaven to sanctify us, when the Son of God had already been sent to redeem us? All the bitter suffering of Christ would have been of no avail, if the glad tidings of the gospel were not made known in the world; for of what advantage is a hidden treasure? Thus our most merciful heavenly Father has not only prepared a great benefit in the passion of His Son, Jesus Christ, but desired to offer to the whole world, and make effective, that grace by the gift of the Holy Spirit.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXII

In Christ, the secrets of all eternity and the will of God’s own heart have been revealed to men.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 879.

Patristic Quote of the Day

And this is the sense, the reason I have spoken everything that is contained in the past speech is to terrify you by my threat. Therefore turn to me with your whole heart and indicate the repentance of your soul by fasting, weeping, and mourning; so that by fasting now, you might afterwards be filled; by weeping now, you might afterwards laugh; and by mourning now, you might afterward be consoled.—St. Jerome on Joel 2:12-14

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

If we follow this logic, monasticism will be no more a state of perfection than the life of a farmer or mechanic. For these are also states in which one acquires perfection. All people, in every vocation, should seek perfection, that is, grow in the fear of God, in faith, in love toward one’s neighbor, and similar spiritual virtues.—Ap XXVII:37

Gerhard and Walther

Christ is our glorious head; we are the members of His body; rejoice thou and shout for joy, O faithful soul, in the ascension to heaven of thy Head. The glory of the head is the glory also of the members. Where our flesh reigns, there let us believe that we too shall reign.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXI

On the Last Day, when the play of the earthly life of humanity will be concluded, the enemies of God will clearly recognize with terror (but the elect with rejoicing) that nothing happened outside God’s will, that everything good and evil had served Him, and that He has led everything to a glorious and blessed end. How confident, then, can a believing Christian be!—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 875.

Patristic Quote of the Day

For those, too, who tarry in the church, in view of the quality of their merits, the wheat of the spirit and the barley of the letter are taken away, if they sin, so that they suffer a famine of the Word of God.—St. Jerome, on Joel 1:16

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

These are the words of our adversaries, in which it is first said most rudely that the Holy Scriptures say that a monastic life merits eternal life. Where do the Holy Scriptures speak of a monastic life?—Ap XXVII:29

A New Experiment!

Well, two things coincided: first, our Cricket Wireless opened up the 5G for our iPhones. We knew they were capable of it, but the company only allowed it at first on iPhones that they sold, not iPhones you brought to the plan. So, great! And no limits on our plan.

But then our Internet Provider announced it would not work with Apple’s Private Relay enabled. In other words, they really demanded to be able to snoop. A little investigation and a tip from David and within an hour and a half, the house has been switched entirely to the 5G: Apple TV, Homepods, and printer. All up and running. It was actually pretty simple. So we’ll run with this for a month and see if it is up to par with what we had, and if so, goodbye ISP and we’ll just be a 100% Cricket family. Sweet.

Gerhard and Walther

 Ah, in what awful anguish I saw Thee upon Mount Calvary, and now in what glory I behold Thee upon Mount Olivet! There Thou didst suffer alone; here Thou art attended by a vast multitude of the angelic hosts; there Thou didst ascend to the cross, here Thou dost ascend in a cloud to heaven; there Thou wast crucified between two thieves, here Thou dost exult among angelic choirs; there Thou wast nailed to the cross as a condemned criminal, here free from all condemnation, Thou art the deliverer of those condemned to eternal death; there Thou didst bleed and die, here Thou dost rejoice and triumph.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXI

But the true faith, to which the Holy Scripture attributes salvation, is something completely different. This faith has such great power that the person who carries it in his heart is completely changed by it. He becomes a new person, who leads a truly pious life. True faith works what nothing else in the world can work in a person.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 873.

Patristic Quote of the Day

But this is the day of retribution for all transgressions, of which all the prophets write, and most especially Isaiah cries out: “Behold, the incurable day of the Lord comes, a day of fury and wrath, to make the whole world a desert and to destroy sinners from it.” This day is rightly named “incurable,” for when the Day of Judgment comes, there will not be opportunity for repentance.—Jerome, On Joel 1.15.

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

This also is false: monastic observances are works of the counsels of the Gospel. The Gospel does not advise about distinguishing clothing and meats and the giving up of property. These are human traditions, about which it is has been said, “Food will not commend us to God.” (1 Cor. 8:8). Therefore, they are neither justifying services nor perfection. Indeed, when they are presented covered with these titles, they are mere “teachings of demons.”—Ap XXVII:26

Gerhard and Walther

As we journey here as pilgrims, the Lord is present with us, but in another and invisible form; in our home in the heavenly fatherland above we shall know Him, for we shall see Him as He is.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXI

There are, however, more subtle enemies of the cross who present a better appearance… They do this by continually preaching about repentance, conversion, being born again, and sanctification, but they do not have mercy on the poor sinner and they do not want to give any comfort to those who can say nothing of themselves but that they are poor, lost sinners. They do this by describing faith and justification and pardon of a person in such a way that the Gospel appears to show how he himself must earn grace and climb to heaven under an unbearable yoke.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, pp. 863, 864.

Patristic Quote of the Day

This day is rightly named “incurable,” for when the Day of Judgment comes, there will not be opportunity for repentance, and in relation to eternity it is at hand and not far off.—St. Jerome, On Joel 1:15

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

We hold that legitimate vows should be kept. However, we are discussing different questions: Can these services merit the forgiveness of sins and justification? Are they satisfactions for sins? Are they equal to Baptism? Are they obedience to basic rules and counsels? Are they evangelical perfection? Do they have the merits of superabundance? Do these merits, when applied to others, ave them? Are vows made with these beliefs legitimate?—Ap XXVII:9

Absolutely beautiful!

Thanks, so much, Michelle! What a wonderful gift! I was reminded of Ezekiel 1:16.

Gerhard and Walther

Christ, our treasure, is in heaven; let us then set our affections upon heavenly things, or meditate upon those things that are above.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XXI

Let us then in faith embrace the cross of our Savior, and let nothing tear us away from it. Although death may come and the world may perish, the anchor of the cross will not break.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 866.

Patristic Quote of the Day

For often it happens by the providence of God that those who did not recognize him in prosperity do recognize him in adversity.—St. Jerome, On Joel 1:5

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

Monasteries were schools for Christian instruction; now they have deteriorated.—Ap XXVII:5

Gerhard and Walther

O let us greatly fear to come to that solemn marriage supper of the Lamb clad in the miserable and filthy garment of our own works; but clothe Thou us, O Lord, lest in that day we be found naked!—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XX

Who can measure the treasures the Church, through God, possesses? Who can calculate the value of its worth?—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 857.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Avarice blinds the soul of the one for whom nothing is enough.—St. Jerome, Commentary on Joel 1:5

Catechesis: The Mass

Epiphanius declares the Aerius thought that prayers for the dead were useless. He finds fault with this. We do not favor Aerius either, but we argue with you because you defend a heresy that clearly conflicts with the prophets, apostles, and Holy Fathers. This heresy is that the Mass justifies by the outward act (ex opere operato), that when applied it merits the pardon of guilt and punishment even for the unjust if they do not present an obstacle. We object to these deadly errors, which divert people from the glory of Christ’s passion and entirely overthrow the doctrine about the righteousness of faith.—Ap XXIV:96

Gerhard and Walther

Thus, this Holy Supper will transform our souls; this most divine sacrament will make us divine men, until finally we shall enter upon the fullness of the blessedness that is to come, filled with all the fullness of God, and wholly like Him.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XX

What man has built can be broken down by man. But no person can demolish the foundation of the Church, for its Master Builder is the eternal God Himself. God permits hellish powers of this age to destroy even the best works of people until the Last Day. However, they cannot destroy the work of the Church, for the high above the seat of the powerless spirits of darkness reigns an almighty and true Love, who has decreed that even the gates of hell will not overcome God’s Church on earth.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 855.

Patristic Quote of the Day

The vanity of the rich, who even in their graves cannot do without their riches, receives its condemnation from the simple and unassuming interment of the Lord. Hence indeed the custom of the church was derived, that the sacrifice of the altar should not be commemorated by wrapping the elements in silk, or any colored cloth, but in linen: as the body of the Lord was buried in clean fine linen.—The Venerable Bede, Exposition on the Gospel of Mark.

Catechesis: The Mass

Regarding the adversaries quoting the Fathers about the offering for the dead, we know that the ancients speak about prayer for the dead, which we do not ban.—Ap XXIV:94

Gerhard and Walther

The apostle tells us in one word what constitutes true preparation: “Let a man examine himself,” he says, “and so let him eat of that bread” (1 Cor. xi.28). But as every holy examination must be made according to the rule of Holy Scripture, so it is in this case, which Paul requires. Let us consider then, first of all, our human weakness and imperfection.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XX

But whoever is at peace with God through faith is already now blessed in God and already enjoying the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace this world cannot give to anyone. His heart is full of comfort and hope. And when he dies, God will open to him the mansions of eternal peace and let him enter to perfect glory and blessedness forever.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, pp. 853, 854.

Patristic Quote of the Day

The river going out from paradise bears the image of Christ, flowing from the paternal spring, which waters His Church with the word of preaching and the gift of Baptism.—St. Isidore of Seville, On Genesis

Catechesis: The Mass

The Greek canon also says many things about the offering, but it plainly shows that it is not speaking properly of the body and blood of the Lord, but of the whole service, of prayers and thanksgivings. For it says this, “Make us worthy to bring to You prayers and requests and bloodless sacrifices on behalf of all the people.” When this is rightly understood, it is not offensive.—Ap XXIV:88

Gerhard and Walther

This Holy Supper is no common meal, nor is it the banquet of an earthly king; but here we have placed before us the holy mystery of the body and blood of Christ, in which we are to participate. Certainly then a worthy preparation is needful, that we may not, unworthily eating of it, find death instead of life, and receive judgment instead of mercy.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XX

Although our government is installed by the majority of the people and is accountable to them, it is still God’s order and God’s servant, into whose hands He Himself has given the sword of protection and the scales of justice.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 851.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Fearing certainly, lest someone either speaks or commands outside the will of God, or outside what is evidently commanded in Sacred Scripture, and it is revealed as a false testimony of God, either sacrilegious or introducing some strange thing into the teaching of the Lord, or obscuring or omitting something of it which is pleasing to God, when He, the Truth, has most manifestly taught preachers that they should instill these things for the sake of life, saying, 'Teaching them to guard all these things which I have commanded you.' And the things which He has commanded, we must be sure to give to others who hear, all of it and not just a part.—Venerable Bede, Commentary on 1 Peter 4.

Catechesis: The Mass

The adversaries are unable to produce one syllable from the Scriptures to defend these fables [applying the Sacrament to free souls from the pains of purgatory], which they teach with great authority in the Church. They do not have the testimonies of the ancient Church or of the Fathers.—Ap XXIV:65

Home!

We made it home just before 8, having stopped off in Lincoln to enjoy a Cracker Barrel meal (only place to actually get good country ham in these parts!). Had a good time with the pastors’ wives of Iowa East District, but this lad is VERY, VERY happy, that the next conference I have to present at is not until May 2022, and that’s for the pastoral conference of South Wisconsin District. I’m so ready to have a nice stretch at home and just do my normal work!

At the beautiful camp Io-Dis-E-Ca

 

Gerhard and Walther

The holy flesh of God, which the angelic hosts adore in the unity of the divine nature, before which the archangels bow in lowly reverence, and before which the principalities and powers in heaven tremble and stand in awe, is become the spiritual nourishment of our souls.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XIX

This doctrine is the certain, true, and precious teaching that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to make sinners righteous and to save them. Every sinner who, from his heart, believes in this Son and Savior is declared righteous and saved. This doctrine distinguishes Christianity from every other religion. It alone makes a person a Christian.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 845.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Scripture again witnesses that the space of those three days did not imply whole days in their entirety. Rather, the first day is counted as whole from its last part, and the third day is itself counted as a whole from its first part; but the intervening day, i.e., the second day, was absolutely whole with its 24 hours, 12 of the day and 12 of the night.—St. Augustine, On the Trinity 4

Catechesis: The Mass

There is nothing that keeps people at church more than good preaching. The true adornment of the churches is godly, useful, and clear doctrine, the devout use of the Sacraments, fervent prayer, and the like. Candles, golden vessels, and similar adornments are fitting, but they are not the specifically unique adornment belonging to the Church.—Ap XXIV:50, 51.

Gerhard and Walther

Christ holds us dear because He hath bought us at so dear a price; He holds us dear because He feeds our souls with so dear and precious food; He holds us dear because we are members of His body, of His flesh. This is the only sovereign remedy for all the diseases of our souls; here is the only efficacious remedy for mortality; for what sin is so heinous but the sacred flesh of God may expiate it? What sin is so great but it may be healed by the life-giving flesh of Christ?—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XIX

Luther wanted to be certain of the grace of God and salvation but he did not know how to obtain them…. Then, by the reading of the Bible, which had come into his hands by God’s miraculous providence, it gradually came clear to him that a person, according to the Gospel, should be righteous before God and saved, not by his own works, but by the faith given him by God. His righteousness and salvation depended, not upon his worthiness, but only on grace; not on his righteousness, but on an alien righteousness; not by his work and suffering, but by the work and suffering of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of sinners.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, pp. 843, 844.

Patristic Quote of the Day

“As they were looking on,” so we also gaze on his wounds as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price offered by our redeemer, touch the scars of his resurrection. He bows his head, as if to kiss you. His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His arms extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption. Ponder how great these things are.—St. Augustine, On Virginity

Catechesis: The Mass

Although a ceremony is a memorial of Christ’s death, it alone is not the daily sacrifice. The memory itself is the daily sacrifice, that is, preaching and faith. Faith truly believes that, by Christ’s death, God has been reconciled. A drink offering is required, that is, the effect of preaching, in order that, being sprinkled by the Gospel with the blood of Christ, we may be sanctified, as those put to death and made alive. Offerings are also required, that is thanksgiving, confessions, and troubles.—Ap XXIV:38

Gerhard and Walther

So, in this Holy Supper we have the true tree of life again set before us, that sweet tree, whose leaves are for medicine and whose fruit is for salvation; aye, its sweetness is such as to destroy the bitterness of all afflictions, and even of death itself.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditations XIX

Certainly each person must pursue holiness, without which, Scripture says, no one will see the Lord. He begins by despairing of all his will and ability and by believing in the crucified One. The order of salvation is not that a person is first holy, and then saved; rather, he is first saved and then made holy.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 841, 42. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

He is given vinegar to drink and gall to eat—and who is he? Why, One who turned water into wine, who took away the taste of bitterness, who is all sweetness and desire.—St. Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 29

Catechesis: The Mass

In the Law the slaying of the victims illustrated both Christ’s death and the preaching of the Gospel, by which this old flesh should be put to death and new and eternal life be begun in us.—Ap XXIV:34

Gerhard and Walther

In the Holy Supper of our Lord we have a mystery placed before us that should cause the deepest awe and excite our profoundest adoration. There is the treasury and storehouse of God’s grace.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XIX

The salvation of the whole world once hung by those three nails of the cross on Golgotha. As the fruit from the wood of the forbidden tree from which the first man once ate brought sin, death, and damnation upon the entire human race, so the fruits of the wood of the cross restored righteousness, life, and blessedness to all people.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 838.

Patristic Quote of the Day

He who is to judge is judged and the Word of God, silent, is led to the cross. The elements are disturbed, the earth trembles, night blots out the day, the sun withdraws both its rays, and its eyes lest it be forced to gaze upon the crime of the people.—St. Cyprian, The Good of Patience

Catechesis: The Mass

In short, the worship of the New Testament is spiritual. It is the righteousness of faith in the heart and the fruit of faith.—Ap XXIV:27.

Gerhard and Walther

Great indeed is the honor put upon our bodies, inasmuch as they are the dwelling places of our souls redeemed and fed by the body of Christ and are temples of the Holy Ghost and the abodes of the adorable Trinity. It cannot be that they should ever remain in the grave, since they are nourished with the body and blood of our Lord.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XVIII

But since the time of grace ends forever with a person’s death, it is the height of insanity for him to postpone concern about the salvation of his soul and seeking God’s grace.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 835.

Patristic Quote of the Day

He who now gives true palms to the victors was beaten in the face with hostile palms; he who clothes all others with immortality was stripped of his earthly garment.—St. Cyprian, The Good of Patience.

Catechesis: The Mass

We showed in our Confession our belief that the Lord’s Supper does not give grace by the outward act (ex opere operato) and that, when applied on behalf of others, alive or dead, it does not merit for them the forgiveness of sins, guilt, or punishment by the outward act. This position is supported by clear and firm proof. It is impossible to receive the forgiveness of our sins because of our own work by the outward act. The terrors of sin and death must be overcome through faith when we comfort our hearts with the knowledge of Christ and believe that for His sake we are forgiven and that His merits and righteousness are granted to us, “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace.” (Romans 5:1) These things are so sure and firm that they can stand against all the gates of hell.—Ap XXIV:11, 12.