More Graduation

Wow and Wow!

HT to Father Hollywood for this one:

Pr. Richard Wurmbrand

Listen and then pick up your Treasury and pray the prayer for Tuesday, p. 1307. Does anyone else hear in his words the voice of a Lutheran Fr. Arseny?

Lucy says...

...but I don't WANT to be stuck in the kitchen. I want into the study with you guys. PLEASE!

Bekah's Graduation

More to follow...

Cwirla, the Wood Worker

writes on another such. It reminded me of the many antique pieces we have in the house that my great-grandfather fashioned - not one of them perfect, but every one of them good. Well worth reading:

Maloof

Okay, it was worth it.

Learning the Hymn of the Day for Exaudi, I mean. It's a beautiful text by St. Columba:

Christ is the world's Redeemer,
The Lover of the pure,
The font of heavenly wisdom,
Our trust and hope secure,
The armor of His soldiers,
The Lord of earth and sky,
Our health while we are living,
Our life when we shall die.

Christ has our hosts surrounded
With clouds of martyrs bright,
Who wave their palms in triumph
And fire us for the fight.
Then Christ the cross ascended
To save a world undone
And, suff'ring for the sinful,
Our full redemption won.

Down through the realms of darkness
He strode in victory,
And at the hour appointed
He rose triumphantly.
And now, to heav'n ascended,
He sits upon the throne
Whence He had ne'er departed,
His Father's and His own.

Glory to God the Father,
The unbegotten One,
And honor be to Jesus,
His sole-begotten Son,
And to the Holy Spirit -
The perfect Trinity.
Let all the worlds give answer:
Amen! So let it be.

The, tune, though haunting, is a bit daunting. If you want to practice the tune, it's here:

Moville

Cindi at the Race

Honeysuckle

I noticed the smell first - then I saw it blooming alongside the marsh on the bike trail. I think it means summer is here!!!

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

The secret for the regular exercise of spirituality, as with physical fitness, is to establish simple habits and practices that are embedded in our normal routines. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 54

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

We thus consider Christ's ascension rightly when we regard it as the means by which all the enemies of our soul were taken prisoner by His victorious death and resurrection. Let us, then, give Christ thanks for the glorious completion of the world of our redemption. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 435

Patristic Quote of the Day

"Search the Scriptures: for in them you think that you have eternal life; and it is they that testify of Me. And you are not willing to come unto Me, that you may have life." For every word of divinely inspired Scripture looks unto Him, and refers to Him. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 11

Exaudi Homily

[Ezekiel 36:22-28 / 1 Peter 4:7-11 / John 15:26-16:4]

Today may be the seventh and last Sunday of Easter, but the readings and liturgy are already tilting wildly toward the Feast of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is everywhere!

In the first reading, Ezekiel foretold the heart-transplant that God would effect in his people. Out comes the heart of stone and in goes a heart of flesh. Which is to say, that the problem with us is that we are not fully human, not the way God intended for us to be. And the only way to become fully human is for God to effect a change at the very center of our willing, our desiring.

This change he promises to effect through sprinkling clean water upon us (think Baptism) which sets us free from our false trusts (our idols) and humanizes us by the gift of the Spirit - the Spirit who causes us to WANT to walk in God’s statues and be careful to obey His just decrees.

And the last bit is important too: “You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers.” I think that’s bigger than the promise that Israel would dwell in Palestine again after her exile - the land given our fathers is this world as God originally gave it: our Paradise where we walked with God and He with us, where He was our God and we His people, and everything was gift from the hand of the Lord and rejoicing and praise and love. THIS is the Spirit’s work in us - He teaches us to live again even in this world as a bit of paradise restored. He even transforms its heartaches and sorrows into gifts as He humanizes us and helps us bear each other’s burdens. So a very tasty bit on the Spirit from that first reading.

And then onto the Gospel where again the Spirit gets top billing. Our Lord announces: “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me.” The Spirit that comes from the Father and is sent by Jesus - that Spirit has one thing He wants to talk about and it’s not Himself: He wants to talk about Jesus! He wants to bear witness about Him and all that is ours in Him. He wants to open our eyes to see that there’s more in Jesus than in all the world outside of Him. St. Paul would put it like this in 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But we have received not the Spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, that we might know the things freely given us by God.”

The Spirit bears witness to the life and love and forgiveness and hope and salvation that is in the Son of God, the Man born of Mary, the man hung on the Tree and raised from the dead, the Man now ascended into heaven and even at this moment sitting - in our human flesh - at the right hand of the Father. The Spirit witnesses to the Man who is fully MAN, the Spirit shows us that to be HUMAN is to live under the forgiveness this Man brings and in communion with Him, He who alone IS fully human, fully alive.

“And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” The Spirit comes and starts witnessing about Jesus and those who receive the Spirit start witnessing about Jesus, about all they have seen and known in Him. The Spirit inside you wants to talk, but not about Himself or about you, but about your Jesus.

But our Lord tells them in advance that this world - which rejected Him, His life, His love - this world will not welcome their witness. Indeed, the days are coming when, He says, when whoever kills you will think he’s offering up worship to God! “They will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.” Anyone who comes to know the Father of our Lord Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit KNOWS that the Father is not served by making others miserable, by bringing hardship and grief to their lives. THAT’S the world’s way, the way of our hearts of stone that go their own way and not the Lord’s.

Rather, the Spirit’s way is what St. Peter pointed out in the Epistle for today. “The End of all things is at hand.” The End, here, means, the fulfillment, the culmination of all things, the perfect humanity that stood forth in the man Jesus Christ, who is also the Eternal Son of God. He is the End as He is the Beginning, Alpha and Omega. And since He is the end, the telos, the purpose of all things, the Apostle urges us to be self-controlled and soberminded for the sake of our prayers. For praying together in the Spirit and with Him, our Great High Priest, who sits at the right hand of the Father and never ceases to intercede for us - that is the very meaning and joy of life itself! And so in place of the hatred that would silence the witness to Christ, he urges “Above all, keep loving one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” If we live in union with Christ, then His life must be our life, and His life doesn’t expose and shame, but gracefully covers the wrongs done and pleads for forgiveness for the enemies.

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” If we live in union with Christ, who has opened up His Father’s home to us and made it our very own, we must open up these earthly homes we call our own to each other and extend the same sort of welcome to one another that our Father in Christ by the Spirit has given us. We’re practicing for eternity!

“As each has received a gift use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” The gifts are manifold, but they are all there for the others. The Spirit puts them into you for the benefit of all - and the mark of a heart of flesh and not of stone, the mark of heart touched by the Spirit of God, is a life lived for others and not merely focused inward upon yourself. This holds with those who speak and those who serve - both bear witness by the Spirit to the life that is joyfully lived in communion with Christ under the forgiveness that is in His blood.

“In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” THAT’S the driving force of the Spirit’s witness and work within us! That we are swept up into the doxology, the endless praise. That is the joy of God’s people. From this we fell in paradise. To this the Son came to restore us. For this the Spirit would now work within us so that we dwell in the land that God originally gave to our fathers - a paradise of plenty, where all is experienced as gift from the hand of the loving Trinity, where all is praise for His goodness, where all is love that covers and pardons.

So it’s no wonder that the collect of the day has us crying out to the Risen and Ascended Lord: “Send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father!” With the Spirit comes all the unpacking of all the gifts intended for us in the Son to the glory of the Father - and that is how we share in Christ’s own divine life. Amen.

Patristic Quote of the Day

For the law, which the all-wise Moses ordained, was for the reproof of sin, and the condemnation of offences: but it justified absolutely no one. For the very wise Paul writes, "Whosoever rejected the law of Moses, was put to death without mercy at the mouth of two or three witnesses." But our Lord Jesus Christ, having removed the curse of the law, and proved the commandment which condemns to be powerless and inoperative, became our merciful High Priest, according to the words of the blessed Paul. For He justifies the wicked by faith, and sets free those held captive by their sins. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 7

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

In the services of Matins and Vespers, the Kyrie comes before the Lord's Prayer. It therefore functions as a plea for Christ's assistance in praying that is answered by the gift of His own prayer to us. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 167

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

What greater honor could be paid us than this, that our faith in Christ entitles us to be called His brethren and coheirs, that our prayer is to be like His, that there is really no difference except that our prayers must originate in Him and be spoken in His name if they are to be acceptable and if He is to bestow this inheritance and glory on us. Aside from this, He makes us equals to Himself in all things; He and our prayer must be one, just as His body is ours and His members are ours. -- Martin Luther, AE 24:407

I know that it is still THREE or so weeks away...

but this boy is READY for the Green season to begin! I love the festival half of the Church Year, the Semester Domini, but by the time Ascension has been celebrated (together with graduations and such) I'm always ready for a bit of break - for "ordinary time" as Rome calls it these days. At St. Paul's, the service reverts to Divine Service 3 exactly as in the hymnal with the closing verse being invariably "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." When it comes back the first Sunday after Trinity there is something of a collective sigh as our parish settles down into what is our "normal" liturgy again for weeks upon weeks. Green, you're on the horizon now and we're eager to welcome you - but first Exaudi, Pentecost, and Holy Trinity!

Brief Clip

from First Vespers for the Ascension (with Baccalaureate for Metro East Lutheran High School). Psalm 110 and "A Hymn of Glory" with the brass and organ:

What a Wondrous World

we live in as guests of Our Father! Cindi and I took time right after lunch for a bike ride - taking advantage of the beautiful weather while it lasts. We headed up the newly surfaced (still not finished) trail that will connect Hamel to Worden and Staunton. It was a 14.25 mile trip that we made in an hour and half. The way up we were in the Irish blessing (the wind always at our back); the way home we were in a wind tunnel and couldn't really hear each other talk. But along the way: we heard a bob white singing, saw a dust devil cross an entire field, saw two trains, saw a hawk teaching its young to fly, and saw numerous flowers and fields of wheat - and all under a blue, blue sky with cotton-ball like clouds providing a bit of shade now and again. Indeed, as the Akathist of Thanksgiving has it, this world cries out: Let us go to the Father! If such beauty is His gift for our brief pilgrimage, what shall home be like?

It Was Upon Ascension Day

that the Venerable Bede reposed in Christ (we observe his day on May 25) in the year of our Lord 735. He wrote one of the most widely used hymns for the feast of the Ascension: "A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing." Testifying to the underlying unity of the Church despite all the sad external divisions, this hymn is sung by Western Rite Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Protestants of various stripes. We usually sing it these days to the tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen. But here is what it would likely have sounded like in Bede's own ear, as sung by Pastor Ben Mayes on the wonderful Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood site:

A Hymn of Glory

Enjoy!

Pastor Holle's Homily to Graduates

At graduation ceremonies and baccalaureate services all across our nation, valedictorians, salutatorians, guest speakers and countless politicians will address thousands of new graduates and attempt to “inspire” them with their own wise & enlightened thoughts and ideas or with the words of philosophers, poets, pop artists, celebrities, and supposedly revered politicians. I suspect many will quote Gandhi & Socrates, Kennedy & Lincoln, Franklin & Twain, and a whole host of other “great” people or thinkers. They will challenge the graduates to “be true to themselves,” to “look within themselves” for greatness, to reach for their dreams. Speakers will attempt to shape and mold the idealism of young graduates to suit their own ideas and agendas. Self, human achievement and will, and mankind’s ability to shape and control the future will be touted as these thousands of young people mark a milestone in their lives and prepare for the next step in their earthly pilgrimage.

In various ways many will attempt to “pray” at some of these events; to “pray” to some generic or unnamed “god” in a manner that appeases everybody and their religious or spiritual sensibilities. In large part, the true God that your parents, teachers, and pastors have worked so hard to show you will be “hidden” or lost amidst all the false gods and religious notions of modern, so-called enlightened people. In man’s quest to be “good” or even great, he “naturally” attempts to make god into our image rather than the other way around.

But not tonight, and God willing never at MELHS. Tonight our celebration oozes the one and only true God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We speak and sing and chant of His works and greatness. We celebrate the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We celebrate the Holy Spirit and His work … His bringing you to faith and giving you the eyes to see God for who and what He truly is; eyes to behold and believe in a crucified, risen and ascended Lord; One who will return one day for the final judgment. The One whose name we Christians bear.

And yes, we celebrate your completion of high school and the ongoing work of MELHS … but what of the future? How will you meet it? How will you prosper and impact the world? How will your ideas and ideals help shape the world in the future? How can or should you get what you want? What does the future hold?

Well, God only knows. Some of you may have great plans all mapped out in your heads. Others may not have much of an idea what direction their lives might take. Some of your parents may have your futures all mapped out … and some of them may have no clue what or where your lives may take you. And while you must know that I personally desire only the best for you, for each of you, in the future, I also know that that “best” will involve trials, disappointments, and trouble. In addition to the many joys which await each of you, there will be tough times. Hey, you’ve just graduated … you really still don’t know everything … and the world and sin, Satan, and even God Himself have ways of really upsetting even the best laid plans.

And the world, lead by Satan, temps people to cling to all sorts of false gods for their hope for the future. Some cling to promises of hope and change. Our culture seeks to teach us that “tolerance,” “acceptance, and compromise” (generally to their way of thinking) are the real keys to future success and peace and happiness. Man claims to have all sorts of answers, but the way of this world is not God’s way. And yet it is so appealing to our sinful nature; it is oh so tempting to our sinful flesh, and our sinful world is a dangerous place for God’s people.

I suppose in a way you are all a little bit like the apostles in our readings for this evening. Their roughly 3-year training/schooling was now complete. They were soon to be “on their own” sent out into the big, bad world to answer their calling. I suspect some were more prepared than others, and I would bet that some were looking forward to what lay ahead more than the others, but I doubt that any of them had any idea what the future actually held for each of them.

And yet, as they prepared for the rest of their lives there that day, and just before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave them, and in turn us, each an incredible promise: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the very end of the age.”

You see, He knew what lay ahead, and He knew that they, and we, would need to have such help and assurance. God Himself, promising to be with His people … this God who had suffered and died and rose was now ascending, departing for a time, if you will, but He was not leaving His people … for He had already promised the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who works tirelessly in the hearts of His people, and He had promised His body and blood in the Holy Supper of His Church. He may have departed, but He certainly had not “left” them … and He will not leave you ... and so He is the reason for our hope and confidence. Not you; not us; Him.

Now, can you chase Him away? I suppose, but it won’t be because He stopped seeking or calling you. He has promised to be there for you … with you … in His Word, in the Sacraments … listening, answering, comforting, guiding, forgiving, training, teaching, and preparing.

And He, my young friends, is the reason for my hope for you and for your futures. Will there be tears, disappointments, heartaches, worry, hurt? Yes … but He will not forsake you. Will plans get messed up, will people disappoint you, will your heart be broken? Yes … but He will always be there. Will you mess up, will you disappoint people, will you sin? Yes … but He stands there, scars on His hands and feet and side, ready to speak His words of forgiveness to you. So you can do whatever you want to do following your heart or your dreams or your wants or the things the world and Satan hold out as carrots before our earthly eyes? No, but so that you might endure in the faith to the end and so that on that last day, you along with the apostles might lift your eyes to the heavens again to behold Him when He returns … triumphant, accompanied by angels … glorious … coming to take you to be with Him forever.

That is how you begin your post-graduate life, with a promise from God to always be with you. All those others can have their poets and great historical figures … you get a guy (actually 4 guys) dressed in white, whom you’re looking up to this evening, telling you, reminding you that you are God’s dear children … and He’s not done with you yet. Your learning has not stopped, your education ended. You, like the apostles have so much still to learn and relearn and be reminded of … and He will teach you, He will show you, He will lead you, He will feed you.
You will be His witnesses … you, His dear and precious children.

Congratulations and God’s blessings to each of you.

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

We also stand in for others with Christ by our intercessions on their behalf when they have sinned. If they have done something wrong, we don't damn them, but we act as if their sins are ours. We ask God to have mercy on them and give them the opportunity to come to repentance. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 210

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

As Aaron wore on his breastplate the names of the tribes of Israel when he entered the Holy of Holies, so Christ, appearing as the true High Priest before God in heaven, wears the names of all believers on His heart. There, He prays without ceasing for His own, and He rules them, cares for them, and protects them so the gates of hell cannot overpower them. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 430

Patristic Quote of the Day

Since, then, the ascension of Christ is also our exaltation, (for there is hope that the body will be summoned wither the Head has preceded in glory), let us, dearest brethren, give worthy expression to our exceedingly great joy and be glad in fervent thanksgiving. For today we have not only been confirmed as possessors of paradise, but in Christ we have scanned the very heights of heaven. Greater benefits have we obtained through the ineffable grace of Christ than we had last through the malice of Satan. -- Pope St. Leo the Great, *Homily on the Ascension*

Men of Galilee

why do you stand looking into heaven? Alleluia!
This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven
Will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven. Alleluia!
Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy... (LSB Introit)

...so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him... (LSB Collect)

...God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet... (LSB Verse)

...through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who after His resurrection appeared openly to all His disciples and in their sight was taken up into heaven that He might make us partakers of His divine life. Therefore with angels and archangels... (LSB Ascension Preface)

Hail thee, festival day!
Blest day to be hallowed forever;
Day when the risen Lord
Rose in the heavens to reign.

He who was nailed to the cross
Is the ruler and Lord of all people.
All things created on earth
Sing to the glory of God.

Daily the loveliness grows,
Adored with the glory of blossom;
Heaven her gateway unbars,
Flinging her increase of light! (LSB 489:2)

He has raised our human nature
On the clouds to God's right hand;
There we sit in heavenly places,
There with Him in glory stand.
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
Man with God is on the throne.
By our mighty Lord's ascension
We by faith behold our own! (LSB 494:5)

And finally, OP's incomparable meditation upon the day:

Now He was going home... In seven words the years of labor and sorrow end: "While they beheld, He was taken up."... There were no bells and banners on earth, but surely the trumpets on the other side sounded as they had never sounded before... Surely the chiming golden bells of heaven sang their welcome, and angel choirs intoned the song of the throne: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength." ... On the anvils of God the nails had been forged into the scepter of a king... "He was taken up." ... The angel hosts sweep to either side, leaving the way clear to the Eternal Light that no longer blinds the eyes of us who stand gazing after Him... He leads a procession which comes from the ends of time and space, all the harvest of all the white fields the world has even known, the pilgrims of the night who come at last to the dawn of an everlasting day... "He was taken up." ... The Child of the manger, the praying heart on the starlit lanes of Galilee, the hunger in the wilderness, the weariness of the Sychar Well, the tears of the Garden and the Hill, the thirst of the Cross - all over now... The robes of the Transfiguration once momentary, now clothe Him forever, and angels and archangels sound the great doxology of His waiting Church: "Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever."...

An old story - perhaps too old for us to do more than glimpse its glory... And yet - we ought to remember it more clearly... It was the solemn moment in the story of God and man when the visible Christ became the invisible Christ... From that hour everything concerning Him became visible only to the eyes of faith... The final line of demarcation in the world - between those who believe and those who refuse to believe - was now clear... Men can say that all this is not true and use the mind of man to reject the mind of God, or they can know that God once walked among them and that they now have a Friend in heaven who knows all that earth and time and pain can do to man...

The Ascension did not take Jesus away... It brought heaven near... In the realm in which He now reigns time and space have no meaning... There is no up and down, no near and far, nor darkness, and no distance in the world of faith... He is as near as yesterday's prayer, today's joy, and tomorrow's sorrow... His homecoming has made heaven a home for us who still walk far from home... Wherefore stand we gazing into heaven?... Our momentary task is here, but through the slow dimming of the years we see the evening lights of home tended by the pierced hands of Him who has gone to prepare a place for us... Is there a better way to life - or die?... All that we have to do now is to believe and follow:

The lapping sea of death before his feet
Crept near; the wind was wild;
But he, who knew the One he came to meet,
Saw it and smiled.

Stepping without a hesitating word
Into the icy tide,
As if he saw the footprints of his Lord
Gleam at his side,

Borne up by Love that gave as he had given,
He crossed the midnight foam
And laid his hand upon the door of heaven
Like one returning home.
[The Pilgrim, pp. 14-16]

WHEW!

Monday was Frieda's funeral, and we laid her to rest in the sure hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

Last night was Trinity-St. Paul Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation at St. Paul's - it was a full house. We chanted Vespers and boy did the kids ever belt out the liturgy and hymns, especially The King of Love and At the Lamb's High Feast. We observed the readings for Rogationtide and Pr. Curtis preached upon the joy of prayer as a child of God - something we seek to foster in our churches, homes, and our joint-school.

Tonight was Metro East Lutheran High School Baccalaureate at St. Paul's - it was again a full house. We chanted Evening Prayer for the Feast of the Ascension and Brian Holle preached a most fitting homily and address to the graduates. One of the graduates, Joel Nehrt, played the liturgy for the service and did an outstanding job. A brass band also did some fine work.

Tomorrow night at 7:15 is the Ascension Day Divine Service. Don't let it slip by you! I challenge all the members of the parish who are reading this to attend and at least come CLOSE to the attendance we had at the services on Tuesday and Wednesday. Truly a great and joyous feast as in Christ our human nature is exalted to the right hand of God and rules over all things. Our Brother - the King of the universe!

A busy and yet joyous weak at St. Paul's as we take our Lord's invitation to heart and seek His blessing on all things - above all, this week, on the little ones, the youth, and the new adults in our parish families.

Dear Marianne,

You are still missed so much. If your eyes slipped down to the Baccalaureate tonight at St. Paul's, you saw your young friend with tears in her eyes because she still misses you so much. She told me afterwards that it wasn't right that you weren't there; I assured her that you WERE there. She loves you and always will - your friendship was a rock on which her life was built. Don't stop praying for her, dear. And for all of us who are still in practice mode preparing for the great feast.

Much love in Him in whom we are always one!

Open Letter to ELCA's Church-wide Assembly

Fr. Tibbetts has the text of this letter on his blog. It is well worth the reading. The Northern Illinois District at their convention spoke a word of fraternal warning to the ELCA on the same issue and assured them of our ongoing prayers for them.

First Vespers of the Ascension

is upon us! If you're using TDP, note that the responsory this evening is the one for Ascensiontide on page O-66 and that Ascensiontide propers are used from now until the Vigil of Pentecost.

New and Improved

Check out the updated Gottesdienst Online site for some interesting discussions and articles.

A Crazy Idea

maybe. We really enjoyed the Christian fellowship this weekend with Jen, Jason, and Natalie. I wondered if when we head down to San Antonio in July (evenings of the 6th-9th) if any blog readers down that way would be open to having three Weedons (Cindi, Bekah, and me) crash at their place at night. During the day, Cindi and Bekah will do a bit of touring about and I'll be busy with HT. Any takers???

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

The devastation of sin is most evident in the difficulty that we have with prayer. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 156

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Just as a great haul of fish is caught here by the power of Christ's words is also how many different peoples are gathered into the Church by Christ's Word. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, Postilla II:64

Patristic Quote of the Day

And what was the nature of the invitation? "Come: for lo! all things are ready." For God the Father has prepared in Christ for the inhabitants of earth those gifts which are bestowed upon the world through Him, even the forgiveness of sins, the cleansing away of all defilement, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the glorious adoption as sons, and the kingdom of heaven. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homilies on Luke 14

Anastasia Appeal

So what DO you do when a family of raccoons has adopted your garage? I don't want them destroyed, but would love to see them OUT OF HERE!

Lectio Divina

Couple thoughts that struck me from today's Office.

I've never contemplated the notion of light being sown. The LXX has "light dawns." But when we think of sowing a seed, and how our Lord likens His life to a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying, I wonder if we can see in our Lord's death and his Descent, the sowing of LIGHT into the realm and power of darkness. I am reminded of the ancient homily in the Roman office of readings for Holy Saturday where a light suddenly bursts upon those who were sitting in the nether gloom.

Completely unrelated: how do those who insist that "justify" always means "make righteous" possibly explain the use of the term in Luke 16:15: "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts"?

Nothing like...

...the smell of manure on the fields to, well, diminish a tad the enjoyment of a walk under a stunning blue sky without a cloud in it. It helps remind us, I suppose, that we're still part of the old heavens and earth, even when the earth is shining with heavenly splendor like it is here today.

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

As we mature in faith, we move away from pride in ourselves and our own achievements to a gradual awareness of our spiritual failure and Christ's work in us as we entrust ourselves to Him.

We move away from the conviction that we are self-sufficient to the repeated experience of spiritual bankruptcy.

We move on from delusions of our spiritual importance to a growing sense of our utter insignificance and the glory of God.

We move on from delight in our own power to the painful recognition of our spiritual weakness.

We move on from our self-righteousness to the increasing consciousness that we are sinful.

In each of these painful experiences, we recognize the glory of God.

Christ fills our emptiness and justifies us by grace.

In short, the power of Christ is made perfect in our weakness.

Abba Matoes, a teacher of spirituality in the Early Church, sums up our experience of progress simply and profoundly: "When I was young, I would say to myself: perhaps I shall do something good; but now that I am old I see that there is nothing good about me."

--John Kleinig, *Grace upon Grace* p. 33,34

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

This truth remains: nothing evil comes from God. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 417

Patristic Quote of the Day

And the blessed Paul also shows that the service that is by the law is powerless to justification, thus saying; "For that no man is justified by the law before God is evident." The will therefore of God, that will which we pray may be done upon earth, is not that we should conform to the law, and live according to the grossness of its letter, but that we should endeavour to live by the gospel. And this is effected by a faith correct and free from error, and by a holy life, possessed of the sweet savour of every virtue, and proved by the testimony of good and noble conduct in every thing that is excellent.-- St. Cyril of Alexandria, *Homily on Luke 7*

All Holy Lord

All holy Lord, in humble prayer,
We ask tonight Thy watchful care.
O grant us calm repose in Thee,
A quiet night, from perils free.

Our sleep be pure from sinful stain;
Let not the tempter vantage gain,
Our unguarded flesh surprise
And make us guilty in Thine eyes.

Asleep though wearied eyes may be,
Still keep the heart awake to Thee;
Let Thy right hand outstretched above
Guard those who serve the Lord they love.
LSB 882:2-4
Latin, 6th Century

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

With the incarnation of our Lord, the heavenly service begins, mysteriously and invisibly, here on earth in the Church. -- John Kleinig, *Grace upon Grace* p. 30

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

You see, this is the reason Christ so deeply urges mercy before all other good works. It is because the mother of mercy, the fundamental love for one's neighbor, is the sum of the Law and the bond of perfection. -- Johann Gerhard, Postilla II, p. 50

Patristic Quote of the Day

Now by His giving thanks, by which is meant His speaking to God the Father in the manner of prayer, He signified to us that He, so to speak, shares and takes part in His good pleasure in granting us the life-giving blessing which was then bestowed upon us: for every grace, and every perfect gift comes to us from the Father by the Son in the Holy Spirit. - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 22

Great Weekend

Well, we had a great weekend. Jason, Jen, and Natalie were a hoot! Just hope Jen feels better soon. L2 went off without a hitch and I think a fun time was had by all. Funeral for Frieda was this morning - one more "planted" in the great hope of the Resurrection! After a no-show appointment, Cindi and I went for a bike ride in the sunshine to work out a bit and relax - we were both pretty wired from the hectic weekend. Still ahead: Voters, TSP Graduation, Baccalaureate, Ascension Day Service, Graduation from Metro for Bekah, weekend services, and SPECLC Preschool Graduation. I asked Cindi: "When does life return to calm and peaceful again?" She gave me the look and said: "It doesn't." I don't believe it. Not for a minute.

Just So You Know...

...there are some ferociously good smells emanating from the Weedon kitchen at the moment: cinnamon bread just about done baking, cookies for the L2 party tomorrow, and some tasty almond thin crackers. I think there will also be almond cookies before too much longer. Yum, yum, and yum.

A Rogate Homily

Prayer. We all know we should pray. The problem is that we don’t tend to do it very often. And when we do pray, it is usually when our back is up against a wall, and we don’t know what else to do. Then, I suspect, we feel a little bit guilty. We come to God mostly when we’re in trouble, and we know that we should be praying all the time, every day.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples and to us about prayer. He is well aware of the problem, the reluctance we· have in praying. The problem is not one of technique. It will not be solved by the countless resolutions we have made to have that daily quiet time with God - resolutions we routinely break. Jesus’ words reveal the source of the problem with prayer to be a problem of relationship, a problem of faith, of trust. Prayer, you see, arises out of relationship of trust, out of knowing God as our Father and ourselves as his dearly loved children. When we live in that relationship, prayer blossoms of its own accord. We chatter on endlessly to God then, just as children run on when they are with their parents.

With their parents. We have a problem of not seeing that we are always with the Father. He is always with us. We forget that, and that is one reason why our prayer life falters. I don’t know how many times I have read the Scripture where Jesus says: “Even the hairs of your head are numbered.” I know that I used to think that meant God, way up in heaven, far away, knew in his divine knowing even the number of my hairs - like some distant computer bank simply chocked full of information about us down here on earth. I think I was missing the point. The point Jesus was trying to get across is that the Father is not far away. The Father walks with us and we walk with him. He is so close to us that He counts our hairs. He is that near!

Prayer is talking to God the way a little one talks to mother or father. Such prayer bubbles up of its own accord when we remember that we are always walking in His sight, that He never leaves us, never forsakes us. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that. Remember that the words that he speaks in today’s Gospel were spoken on the night of his betrayal. He is not going to be with the disciples in the same way that he had been with them before. The cross and the empty tomb, the death and resurrection of Jesus, will bring a change in the manner of His presence. He will no longer be with them in the same way. But the Father’s presence which Jesus had sought to show them, to teach them, that will not change. The Father will be by them, with them, even through the dark days and hours ahead, and He’s just waiting for them to realize it and talk to him.

You see, Jesus did many wonderful things in the presence of the disciples. Miracles. Teachings that astounded and awed them. But only one thing that Jesus did moved the disciples to ask: “Teach us to do that too. Like you do.” That one thing was prayer. “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus prayed like no one had ever prayed before. Jesus spoke to the Father in the complete assurance of the Father’s acceptance and love. Jesus spoke to the Father not as to some absent deity, but as to a lovingly present parent. “Teach us to do that too.”

Jesus spent three years teaching them. He spoke to the Father constantly. In the middle of a conversation with them, he would lift his eyes and speak to the Father and then turn right back and speak to the disciples. He took prayer out from the temple and onto the streets; out from the synagogues and into the homes. He showed them that prayer wasn’t religious - in the sense of being something that was confined only to certain areas of our life. Prayer was a conversation with the Father that goes on wherever you happen to be. It doesn’t need a special time or a special place. All times and all places are prayer times and prayer places because the Father walks with you wherever you may go.

Think of what that means for us! Prayer is talking to God as his much loved child in the middle of your work day, as you’re driving the car, as you’re washing the dishes, as you’re plowing your fields, as you’re eating your meals, and as you’re lying down to sleep at night or waking up in the morning. Prayer is such speaking to the Father when you realize He is with you wherever you go and whatever you are doing. Prayer is the confession that you live in the presence of the Father.

And Jesus says that all talk to the Father is made in Jesus’, name. “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.” The joy that is in the name of Jesus is that we have a confident access to His Father as our Father. He is the Only Begotten Son of the Father. He invites us into His relationship with the Father, calls us His brothers, His sisters. Makes us coheirs with Him - all that is His, He gives to us. His Father He makes our Father. His home He makes our home. His Kingdom, He makes our kingdom. That is what Baptism is all about.

When we make our prayer then, in the name of Jesus, we are acknowledging that we have a Father in heaven who loves us and who regards us as his very own children all for the sake of Jesus Christ. Jesus came forth from the Father a single Son, an only Child. He returns with joy to the Father, and through cross and resurrection brings with Him many sisters and brothers, a whole family.

When our prayer is anchored in the name of Jesus we speak to the Father with absolute confidence and boldness. We know that He loves us, that He hears us, that He answers us for sure. Our sureness is based solidly on the fact that Jesus has brought us into this relationship with His Father and has told us to make ourselves at home.

The Church as the children of the family is marked by her family rituals. We talk to our Father together at certain times and at certain times we talk to our Father alone. The catechism teaches us to remember that we are God’s children by reciting the name that made us God’s children in our Baptism and by retracing the sign of the holy cross by which we were redeemed and then to talk to Him when we get up in the morning and receive a new day of grace from His loving hand: to thank Him for keeping us safely through the night and to ask that He would keep us also through the day that our life may please Him. The catechism teaches us to remember that we are God’s beloved children and to talk to Him whenever we receive the gift of food and drink from his hand, when we sit at table and when we rise from the table, saying thank you! The catechism teaches us to remember that we are God’s beloved children by reciting the name that made us His children and by retracing the sign of the holy cross by which we were redeemed and to talk to Him at night, when we are ready to lay down our bodies and rest: then we ask for his forgiveness for all the times we have failed to live as His children during the day just past and we ask for His loving protection through the night.

That is the basic framework of each day. By framing the day with prayer and punctuating it with prayer at the moments when we receive God’s gifts, the Catechism would teach us to live our lives in the presence of a loving heavenly Father, confident of the Father’s love because of the salvation won for us by Jesus Christ. Fullness of joy will be ours indeed when we remember who we are: children of the heavenly Father, who take God up on His invitation to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father. Amen.

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Our work goes hand in hand with our praying, for we are daily called to work with God. When we pray for God's support and guidance in our work and the people we work with, we live by His grace and rely on Him to do His work through us. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 199

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

The beginning of every spiritual good, as well as its continuation and completion, is utterly beyond our power. Everything good and perfect comes from God. And for this reason, we must give Him all glory! - C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 419

Patristic Quote of the Day

For to draw near, and make supplication on the people's behalf, is an act becoming to the saints, and the duty of spiritual fathers, and the proof of a mind that has regard not to selfish objects alone, but already considers as its own the interests of others. - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 9

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Our solidarity with others determines the nature of our intercession. Early Christian worship differed from the rituals performed by their neighbors in the practice of common prayer. The critics of the Church were astonished that Christians prayed for people who were unrelated to them, foreigners, and even their enemies, rather than just for their own families, community and the adherents of their own religion. This was, and still is, a countercultural feature of Christian piety. In the Divine Service, all Christian pray together with Jesus and the whole Church on earth for the whole world and all its people. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 208

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Of course, the natural light of the sun or of fire cannot make dense bodies such as clothing, walls, rocks and the like, translucent; but the divine, uncreated, supernatural light is immeasurably more subtle, brilliant, and bright. It made Christ's raiment white as snow and shine brilliantly. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, Postilla II:278

Patristic Quote of the Day

He teaches us that we must diligently continue the practice, and in the form of a parable plainly shows that weariness in prayer is to our loss, while patience therein is greatly to our profit: for it is our duty to persevere, without giving way to indolence. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 11

What a Crazy Week

this has been! All the travelling with Lauren's graduation over the weekend (8 hours out to Seward on Friday; 8 hours home on Saturday) and the usual round Sunday with Mother's Day thrown in there to boot. Monday was booked solid (teaching, daycare chapel, workout, finishing up presentation for TAM) and wrapped up with two meetings in the evening (Daycare board and elders). Tuesday was up at 4:30 and heading out for Kearney to present at the Augustana Ministerium - that was a five hour trip. Back home from that yesterday about five, and then a boatload of email to catch up on. This morning after Matins got Joanie set on bulletin for this weekend and finished up bulletin for Baccalaureate for the High School, off to exercise, home to finish up bulletin for Ascension Day, off to meet with Frieda's family, home to prepare funeral bulletin, Sunday's Bible Class, and the TSP Graduation bulletin and locate an organist for TSP's service and pray Vespers. Still on the docket either for tonight or tomorrow is Sunday's homily and the funeral homily. So it's only 5 p.m. and I already feel like heading to BED!!! Funny, though, how the Daily Office and the workout routine are havens of peace in the midst of all the running about.

Patristic Quote of the Day

For verily we must not say of one clothed with the Spirit, that he curseth those who are infirm and sinful:----for it is not fitting for the saints to curse any:----but rather that he prays this of God. For before the coming of the Saviour we all were in sin: there was no one who acknowledged Him Who by nature and verily is God. "There was no one doing good, no not one; but they all had turned aside together, and become reprobate." But because the Only-begotten submitted Himself to emptiness, and became flesh, and was made man, sinners have perished, and exist no longer. For the dwellers upon earth have been justified by faith, have washed away the pollution of sin by holy baptism, have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, have sprung out of the hand of the enemy; and having bidden as it were the hosts of devils to depart, dwell under the yoke of Christ. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 7

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

The sins of our fellow Christians, their failures and their mistakes, are all opportunities and occasions for intercession. Let me put it quite concretely: when I fail as a pastor, I don’t need your condemnation or your indulgence. What I need is your support, and you give it best through your prayers. -- John Kleinig *Grace Upon Grace* p. 202

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

For in all Christians He [the Holy Spirit] will effect and produce these two things: First, He will convince and assure their hearts that they have a compassionate God; secondly, He will enable them to help others by their supplication. The result of the first is that they are reconciled to God and have all they need for themselves. Then, when they have this, they will become gods and will be saviors of the world by their supplication. Through the spirit of compassion they themselves will become children of God; and then, as children of God, they will mediate between God and their neighbor, and will serve others and help them attain this estate too. AE 24:87

Must Read Post

by Dr. Stuckwisch:

The Heart of the Holy Scriptures

Sigh. Wouldn't it be awesome to me a member of Emmaus in South Bend and get these goodies dropped on you on a regular basis?

Thoughts on Lutheran Unity

This is from Krauth, page 265 of *The Conservative Reformation*:

In showing that the Augsburg Confession is the Symbol of our time, the Formula of Concord rests its authority on its being "the unanimous consent and declaration of our faith." The private opinion of individuals, however influential, can in no sense establish or remove one word of the Creed of the Church. Any man who, on any pretence, gives ecclesiastical authority to private opinions, is robbing the Church of her freedom. She is to be held responsible for no doctrines which she has not officially declared to be her own.

Add to this, the wise words of Dr. Piepkorn:

The Book of Concord itself indicates that no further creedal statements are necessary. Three and three quarter centuries of Lutheran experience testify to the rightness of this position. (The Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, p. 104)

If there is ANY hope for unity and concord within and between Lutheran jurisdictions, we simply MUST renounce the temptation to insist that others hold opinions that we hold that are that: theological opinions and not the dogmas of our Churches drawn from the Sacred Scriptures and confessed in our Symbols. There is not a single "modern" corruption of the faith against which our Symbols' Confession of the doctrine of Sacred Scripture does not fully resource us.

Half a century ago or so, Sasse pointed out that the problem with Missouri and all the Synods of the Synodical Conference was that they assumed the Symbols and hence unwittingly ignored them. I propose that if Lutherans are going to get their act together when it comes to the thorny questions that confront us, we can do no better than prayerfully calling upon the Holy Spirit to take the Sacred Scriptures to heart as our Rule of Faith and embrace once more the Confession of that Rule which we call the Augustana. Satis est. It really is.

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

The Golden Rule wasn’t given by Jesus as a general ethical principle for all people, but as wise direction for God’s children who have access to their heavenly Father through faith in Him. Since I am a child of God, I know that the best things I could ever hope to receive from fellow Christians is their prayers. It’s the greatest favor and kindness that they could ever show me. But the opposite is also true. By praying for God to forgive them when they sin, I show my love for them and for God. I therefore fulfill the Law and the Prophets when I don’t pass judgment on others but pray for them instead. That is my mission in life as a holy person. I can ask our heavenly Father to supply others with what they lack. I can seek His grace for my sisters and brothers in Christ. I can knock at the door of my heavenly Father and bring them into His presence. So by the practice of intercession we fulfill the Golden Rule. - John Kleinig, *Grace upon Grace* p. 201

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Never think that you are kneeling or standing alone, rather think that the whole of Christendom, all devout Christians, are standing there beside you and you are standing among them in a common, united petition, which God cannot disdain.” Luther, AE 43:198

Patristic Quote of the Day

Whatever good work a man undertakes, if he perseveres in it, he will attain rest. But prayer is warfare to the last breath. - Agathon, *Saying of the Desert Fathers* p. 21

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

This one true God is merciful, for Christ says that God has given us His Son out of love. All of nature bears witness to God's benevolence, because He did not bring forth creation for His own sake, since within Himself He is perfect for all eternity, but He did this solely to share His benevolence with others. God's benevolence is a precious fountain that pours forth unceasing gifts and blessings, yet itself is never diminished. -- Johann Gerhard, *Postilla* II:15

Is Leviticus Getting You Down?

My friend, Paul McCain, and I were yacking about the readings in Treasury from Leviticus. There are a few points in the recent readings that I think are well worth noting.

First, verse 8 in both yesterday's (Lev. 20) and today's (Lev. 21): "The Lord who sanctifies you; keep the commandments!" I note the same train of thought in Philippians 2: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Sanctification comes from living in the presence of the Holy One, but that leads to the keeping of His commandments, and always rejoicing in the blood of atonement for our sin.

Second, the intense interest in physicality in the holiness codes teaches us the importance that God attaches to our bodies. This theme runs from start to finish in Scripture. It fits so well with asking God for daily bread before we even ask for forgiveness in the Our Father.

Third, the whole matter of what is suitable for the priests comes to great "aha" when you remember that this is what the New Covenant lifts you into: you now are members of God's royal priesthood, who have access to the holy place, and offer the incense of prayer and eat the holy bread that God provides. When we never forget that God has given US this inner access to His presence, much of Leviticus lights up!

Can't Help But Note

the joyful coherence between continual justification (a la Edward Preuss) and Kleinig's oft stated "you can't possess it, but must constantly receive it" in *Grace Upon Grace.* YES! He draws the analogy with birth and starting to breathe; we literally go on living because we go on taking in the oxygen which is not our creation, but a free gift of God, and without which we would simply die. So our taking in of the Holy Spirit - ongoing, constant, never a possession, but always a Gift waiting to be in-breathed.

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Our basic spiritual problem is that we have bad hearing. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 126

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

There is only One out of all people, who was perfectly righteous before God by His own work: the Man, Jesus Christ. He was not righteous for Himself, for He is God and does not require His own righteousness. He gives it away, gives it to all who desire it and will receive. He gives it to all who believe in Him. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 407

Patristic Quote of the Day

Many have believed in Christ, and celebrate the holy festivals in His honour; and frequenting the churches they also hear the doctrines of the Gospel: but they lay up in their mind of the truths of Scripture absolutely nothing. And it is with difficulty that the practice of virtue is brought with them even to this extent, while of spiritual fruitfulness their heart is quite bare. These too shall weep bitterly, and gnash their teeth; for the Lord shall deny them also. For He has said, that "not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father Who is in heaven." -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 13

Still Tired

from our long trip - 16 hours of driving between Friday morning and Saturday evening! Today, though, we were treated to hear Chris Loemker play for our services and Pr. Gleason offer the homily. I spent the early afternoon catching up on bulletins for Church and Baccalaureate, responding to email, and the late afternoon snoozing. Then we had Dave and Jo over (they just got in from Seward at 5 this evening) and we ate dinner and played some Liverpool. Yes, Cindi won again. Even on Mother's Day she doesn't let up! I'm utterly and completely wiped and am shortly heading to bed. Hopefully will have energy to get through tomorrow's round: Matins, two units in school, daycare chapel, workout, finish up presentation for Augustana Ministerium, Vespers, St. Paul's Early Childhood Learning Center Board meeting, and Elders meeting. Then off to Kearny, Missouri for the meeting of Ministerium. And all the while that Kleinig book is BEGGING to be devoured, and there is no time!!!

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Because of her attention to her son, Mary has become the model for us in our practice of meditation. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 118

A Few More Pics from Lauren's Graduation...

Lauren's Graduation from Concordia University, Seward NE

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Okay, okay, so this book so unbelievably good that I'm at a loss to even know WHAT to cite and what to leave out. But here goes:

There is, in fact, no better way to publicize His hidden riches and glory than by whole-hearted, full-bodied, communal praise. Our songs of adoration and praise declare that His goodness far surpasses what is best in our earthly experience. Our songs of praise recommend the mystery of Christ to those who do not yet know Him by giving them a sense of our unutterable and exalted joy; our songs also draw us deeper into the hidden riches of Christ, who is invisibly present among us. -- John Kleinig, *Grace Upon Grace* p. 67

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Therefore, let us never forget that we are on a journey, and by our good behavior, we should also make a good name for our fatherland. -- C .F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 401

Patristic Quote of the Day

Those who love the Word of salvation, and unroll the divine Scripture as a treasure, and carefully search out the things therein concealed, find the life-giving knowledge which leads them on to every virtuous pursuit, and makes them perfect in the knowledge of the doctrines of truth. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 10

That's Our Hib Alright

Hilbert Schumacher was president of St. Paul's congregation when I was called as Pastor. He and Evie are still backbones of the parish in so many ways!

Tim's Idea

(that would be Pr. Landskroener) and a good one:

with the incredible prices on Treasury of Daily Prayer for the month of May, have you thought of purchasing a copy for your Church to have and to keep there for anyone who gathers for the daily office, for school chapels, for devotions for various meetings and so on? I'm ordering one tonight for St. Paul's to keep!

I was really puzzled...

...about what to do for the Baccalaureate service for Metro East Lutheran High School (held here at St. Paul's this year), and then I realized that it was the Eve of Ascension. So we'll be doing the First Vespers for the Ascension Feast. How simple was that, I ask you? The Divine Service will follow on the Day of the Ascension itself. Whew. Cross that off the list of things to do - bulletin is basically done, pending any last minute changes from the school (Go Builder!). Now, if I could just figure out what to do for Trinity-St. Paul's graduation the day prior...

New Lutheran Quote of the Day

I've just started reading Dr. John Kleinig's marvelous *Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today.* I can already tell this is a must read for all Lutherans. A teasing taste to tempt you?

Christian spirituality is, quite simply, following Jesus. It is the ordinary life of faith in which we receive Baptism, attend the Divine Service, participate in the Holy Supper, read the Scriptures, pray for ourselves and others, resist temptation, and work with Jesus in our given location here on earth. By our practice of spirituality we are not raised to a higher plane above the normal, everyday, bodily life, but we receive the Holy Spirit from Christ so that we can live in God's presence each day of our lives as we deal with people and work, sin and abuse, inconvenience and heartbreak, trouble and tragedy. We are not called to become more spiritual by disengaging from our earthly life, but simply to rely on Jesus as we do what is given us to do, experience what is given for us to experience, and enjoy what is given us to enjoy. (p. 23)

And it just gets better. A huge coherence at the beginning of the book with Oswald Bayer's work *Theology the Lutheran Way.* When you read Kleinig you get Cappadocian theology, insights from Luther, from Loehe, and from Schmemann all "pressed down, shaken together, and running over" poured into your life! What a treat! It's available from CPH here:

Grace Upon Grace

Aw, heck. One more quote:

"We do not, as we follow Jesus, become increasingly self-sufficient. Rather, we learn, bit by bit, the art of begging from God the Father, until at death we can do nothing but say: 'Lord Jesus, have mercy on me!'" (p. 29)

Yeah, you want it!

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

If someone is born of royal descent, but through the power of the enemy falls into slavery, he longs for the day when he had that fortunate circumstance and thinks back to his noble ancestry. Should we not also in genuine repentance and humility yearn for this, as we remember how our first parents, from whom we all descend, who were made kings of the earth - indeed, kings of heaven - by God and who were exalted to the highest worthiness, while from them we fell unto the power of the cruel devil through sin? -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Schola Pietatis* pp. 178,9

Patristic Quote of the Day

For the flocks of the believers have, as it were, a pasture full of divers plants and flowers, in the Holy Scriptures, which are their wise guides: and filled with spiritual joy at the glorious doctrines and instructions which they contain, they frequent the sacred courts. - St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on Luke 9

Pray for Bev...

...it will not be long now. And ask God's peace for her family.

Who so happy as I am?
Even now the Shepherd's Lamb,
And when my short life is ended
By His angel hosts attended
He will fold me to His breast
There within HIs arms to rest.

P.S. JGF, if you're reading this, I always hear your beautiful setting as I sing it.

Commemoration of Frederick the Wise

Today our Synod commemorates Frederick the Wise, Christian Ruler. From the Treasury:

High-born Prince, kind, dear brother and kinsman. Herewith I send you a book written by Dr. Martin Luther, in which you will find many wonderful things. God Almighty grant that it will turn out well, for truly things are coming to light which many people conceal; may God Almighty vouchsafe to us poor sinners that we may be improved and not made worse thereby. - from a Letter of Frederick to his brother, Duke John, 1520

The Treasury notes that upon his death bed, the Elector received the Eucharist under both kinds, "a clear confession of the evangelical faith."

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

They [our bodies] shall shine with the effulgence of the divine glory, because of their nearness to God, who dwells in a "light which no man can approach unto" and "who covereth Himself with light as a garment;" and they shall be incorruptible because they are like the angels, nay, rather, because they shall be changed into the likeness of the glorified body of Christ. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *Sacred Meditation XLVIII

Patristic Quote of the Day

For in the churches we teach by bringing forward our doctrines from the inspired Scripture, and setting forth the Evangelic and Apostolic Word as a sort of spiritual nourishment. And they who believe in Christ and are conspicuous for unperverted faith, are obedient listeners to such teaching; but they turn away from the voices of falsifiers, and avoid them as a deadly evil. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily on John 10

Speaking of Treasury...

...don't miss the beautiful selection from Pastor Friedrich Wyneken, whom our Synod commemorates on this day. Starts on bottom of page 1293. I think it will be our Council Devotion this evening.

Good News!

from Pastor McCain:

I have some great news.

Concordia Publishing House is offering special pricing throughout the month of May on the Treasury of Daily Prayer. And if you don't believe me about how great the book is, then read the endorsements at the end of this note. Truly, great stuff.

I can’ think of a better way to celebrate the rest of Eastertide and the Pentecost festival, than by encouraging our folks to embrace a richer, deeper life of prayer and meditation on the Word of God. In my opinion, there is no better single resource to aid and strengthen us in our prayer lives, than Treasury of Daily Prayer. But, you know I’ve been saying that for some time now. If you don’t believe me, listen to what others are saying. I’ll post a slew of recommendations and endorsements from people using it at the end of this note.

The special pricing is this:

The regular edition, $49.99, is now $24.99.
The deluxe edition, $79.99, is now $39.99.

Call 800-325-3040 to place your order.


If you want to place a web order, you must use this link to get the special pricing: http://www.cph.org/dailyprayer

Please let your various networks and contacts know, alert your congregations, and consider placing a group order for the Treasury.

These prices are only good through the end of May.

Feel free to use these quotes below.

What Others are Saying about the Treasury of Daily Prayer

+++

Wonderful Tool as One Choice for your Daily Devotions - TREASURY OF DAILY PRAYER

In some of my Bible classes over the last several months I shared with you my joy in purchasing and using a new devotional book: Treasury of Daily Prayer. (I brought it in and showed one of the Sunday classes.) Pastor Olsen and I each picked one up from the Seminary Bookstore when we attended the Exegetical Symposium at the Ft. Wayne Seminary at the end of this last January.

We had both received pre-publication PR ... but neither of us had ordered it. Being frugal Lutherans (and knowing we would have to give answer to our wives as to why we allowed ourselves the temptation of entering the bookstore) ... we noticed that it was a good buy - discounted during the Symposium, I believe.

After giving it a ride back to Lansing TDP (Treasury of Daily Prayer) found a place in my home. Like everything else, however, ... exercise equipment, that new diet, books ... you have to USE it for a while to see how good it is ... or if it "works".

Folks, I love using it ... and it "works" in terms of deepening your walk with Jesus in your daily life. When preaching on Sunday or in a Bible class or Confirmation class, I have often used something that I've read in TDP over the previous two weeks (about how long I can remember what I've read and where) in the message. It provides different orders of service IF you want to incorporate that into your quite time (QT) as well as providing daily Scripture readings, prayers, psalms, some hymn verses from our new hymnal - Lutheran Service Book, writings from our Confessions and other Church fathers. Here's the deal: it is amazingly flexible in how it can be used.

Concordia Publishing House states of TDP: "In today's busy times, God's people long for a richer, more intentional life of prayer and meditation on God's Word. Treasury of Daily Prayer presents an ordered collection of materials that guide daily prayer and devotions, and is appropriate for use by individuals, families, and small groups."

At the link immediately above there's also a Twitter button so that you can get daily tweets from Treasury of Daily Prayer. It's very encouraging to get them throughout the day. (I've been passing a number of them on to those who are following me on Twitter.) Also, at the site above, you can see a sample of what TDP is like by pressing the Take A Look Inside button. Give it a try.

I would recommend TDP for adults, and possibly for older teens ... who are interested in deepening their relationship with Jesus.

Blessings. Pastor David Maier Michigan

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I'm obviously not a pastor, but I also love the TDP! It's made my prayer life more disciplined by spurring me to pray matins and vespers or compline daily - this means I now spend more time in prayer and meditation on God's Word than I did previously. Having the propers for daily prayer has also been a great pleasure. I really did have sometimes up to 4 books with me previously when I prayed (Bible, hymnal, devotional or book of sermons, and Lutheran book of prayer), but now I generally just use the TDP since it rolls most things into one. I'm eagerly awaiting the Lutheran Study Bible! Best, Bethany Tanis (Assistant Prof of Mod Euro Hist at Aquinas College)

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The Lord God acts and we respond. What a joy to have a tool such as the Treasury of Daily Prayer. In one convenient place, the Word of God and prayers and church fathers. In the Old and New Testament Readings, a well as the psalms, the Lord speaks - turn a page and we have a model for response, liturgy, song, prayer - It has been such blessing that I need to purchase another...I have given my first two away to parishioners desiring a good prayerbook.

Kelly

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The Treasury of Daily Prayer has become a trusted friend and a necessity. The relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament readings gives greater meaning to both. Beginning with a Psalm that coincides with the readings begins the daily devotion with a meaningful prayer. The extra bonus is reading the suggested portion from The Book of Concord! It ties all the readings together and makes very clear what we privileged Lutherans believe and teach. Using this resource for daily devotional reading is never something I do as a self-discipline; it is almost an indulgence because I benefit so deeply from and treasure the time spent each day with The Treasury of Daily Prayer. Jean Michigan +++

As a Lutheran layman, I greatly appreciate the systematic supplement offfered in the Treasury of Daily Prayer to the corporate Divine Service(s). The combination of OT and NT Scripture, writing of the Church Fathers, hymns and prayers that follow the Church Year gives me an opportunity daily to grow in the Faith--something of which we never get our fill.

Larry in Texas

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Excellent book and resource.

I read it fairly often to my 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter as well. My 5 year old says "can we read the 'Daily Book' "as he calls it or the "Treasury" I read a portion of the daily readings to them.

Makes me want to read Holy Scripture each day and gets me in the mode of reading Scripture more often.

Now for the unabridged version of the Treasury with the Book of Concord suggested readings each day too :)

We also play church at home with the Lutheran Service Book - mostly with Matins and my son serving Holy Communion and knowing quite a bit of the words. My daughter is the deaconess. She uses the smaller Lutheran Prayer books as "hymnals". The What About half-sheet pamphlets are "bulletins".

Gary in Minnesota

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In my Study, a salve for a weary heart. At home the best reading and singing that my children do all day.

Adrian in Indiana

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Paul, Keeping the Treasury open at my desk has revitalized my daily devotional life. The Treasury makes it easy to be in God's Word daily and meditate on it with the assistance of prayers and writings from church fathers who walked before us. Suggested readings from the Book of Concord have nudged me back into regular conversation with the brilliant theologians who shaped our heritage. God's Word, the confessions and the church writings are true treasures that we neglect at our peril. Thanks for making them a joy to use again.

Philip in Nebraska

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Paul:

I was given the Treasury of Daily Prayer as a gift and I use it in conjunction with Kraus' "The Pastor at Prayer". The daily reading from the Treasury is my "Liturgical Lesson for the Day", so it's a nice addition even though I continue to read through the Scriptures and Confessions according the the schedule in Kraus. I, however, remain underwhelmed by the ESV. Those to whom I've showed it are taken aback by the Treasury's size. The people here have stayed with their Portals of Prayer even though we advertised the Treasury.

Rick in Kansas

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"As we begin a lengthy trip to deal with the aftermath of a family loss, it is extremely helpful to both carry and have ease of access to the "Treasury of Daily Prayer" for daily devotions at this time. One need not "search the car" to find all that one might want. It is there with both Word and helpful words based soundly upon Scripture. Lastly, as one spends time in motels there is always the opportunity to use the "TDP" as part of witness to the Risen Christ."

Paul in Missouri

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"For many years I have struggled in my prayer life, looking for a way to pray that was more connected to the liturgical life of the church. It was frustrating because it would take a long time to gather what was needed and often I felt like I couldn't know what I needed unless I bothered one of my pastors each day. Treasury of Prayer has solved all that. Everything needed to have a full and complete prayer life in keeping with the lectionary and the Lutheran faith is in one volume. I highly recommend it!"

Noreen in Houston, Texas

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The arrival of the Treasury of Daily Prayer at our house practically coincided with the accidental death of our 18-year-old son. During this time, the Treasury has been our refuge of being together and being in the word. During February we lamented with Job. On Easter we heard a great sermon by Chrysostom. We like to read all the daily readings before we go to bed and we often tack on an Evening Prayer or a Compline. The book is so easy to use, that there remain no excuses or awkwardness in sharing this time, which now has become a precious habit.

Yours, and thanks, Brigitte in Alberta, Canada

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

The Christian should realize that his entire life is a journey and he should abstain from every fleshly lust that fights against the salvation of his dearly paid for soul. -- C. F. W. Walther, *God Grant It!* p. 399

Patristic Quote of the Day

Receiving as a rule of right and undistorted Faith the Holy and God-inspired Scripture we say that when the Only-Begotten Word of God became First-born for us, He ceased not from being what He was and He is called, along with the title of Very God, also Son of Man: and He is not seen to have changed the Nature of the Godhead into flesh, which without change and without confusion was united to Him that He might adorn it with His own Glory: rather we must know that He filled it with God-befitting authority. Thus for a season was He seen of those in all the earth when He came from Heaven. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, *Against the Synousiasts* par. 18

WOW! I Just Teach

today and next Monday - and I'm through at TSP for the year. Well, except for leading chapel and graduation. Unbelievable.

Lucy wonders...

...what on earth has possessed grandma!

David's Latest in Oil

I have decided

that Jubilate is my absolute favorite Sunday of the year (for this week - it will probably change for next week!). Seriously, though, what a glorious set of readings, and the hymns! Well, words alone cannot convey the joy of singing "With High Delight" and "At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing." How truly did our Lord speak! "And your joy no one will take away from you." Joy overflowing, eternal, all-transforming - resurrection joy!

Day's Wrap

Matins + Hospital visit to Bev (and Rich) + Homily for Wedding + Unload half cow and take downstairs to freezer + Lunch + Wedding w/Divine Service + Clean up from wedding + Vespers + Divine Service for Easter 4 + Glass of wine + BED!

I Am Amazed

at how 1/2 of a cow totally fills the freezer! We're set till sometime next year - assuming the electricity doesn't go out (yikes!).

Wedding Homily

for Darcy and Matt... [Gen. 1:26-28 / Eph 5:1-2, 22-33 / John 2:1-11]

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Lord Jesus says in the Book of Revelation: “Behold, I make all things new.” And He meant it. All things. And among the things He makes new is marriage. God’s original plan for marriage - that man and woman become one, that they provide a safe and joyful home for children, that they show the image of God upon the earth - this came to shipwreck with the fall, as you recall.

When God called Adam to account for the sin, he hid behind his wife. “The woman you gave to be with me, SHE gave me of the fruit and I ate.” The woman of course tries to hide behind the serpent: “The serpent deceived me and I ate.” But even before the calling to account, Adam and Eve showed how estranged they’d become from each other, by hiding behind the fig leaf fashions. They no longer trusted each other completely and that proved to actually be rather wise. For each betrayed the other.

And so marriage after the fall became this struggle for domination: a place for playing “who’s the boss!” And though we joke about it constantly, we know its no joking matter. The beautiful and wonderful thing that God created at the get go we have made all too often into an institution where two people pick away at each other until they finally are emotionally alienated and live together without the joy of living together or they go their separate ways. Think of the divorce rate in this country!

Rather dismal for a wedding homily, I know, but it’s best to look things in the face. Without the Lord Jesus making all things new, weddings are only so-so celebrations. But with the Lord Jesus, well, it’s a whole different ball-game.

Behold, I make all things new. And his first miracle then, his first sign, takes place at a wedding - Cana of Galilee. Ordinary, plain, boring water into extraordinary, sparkling, joyful wine. And not just any wine, but wine so good that the steward of the feast is amazed and demands to know why the Bridegroom did the silly thing of keeping back the good stuff till the folks were a bit too happy to enjoy its rich flavor. And there is Jesus, his eyes sparkling in delight! He delights in marriage and He has come to make it new.

St. Paul in today’s epistle hinted at the newness of what happens when a marriage is taken up into the Lord. First thing that goes is this “who’s the boss” business, because in marriage made new in Christ, HE gets to be the boss, the Lord, the one who says how things go.

To both of you He says: remember you’re dear children of the heavenly Father and so walk in love just as I have loved you and given myself as a sweet smelling sacrifice to forgive your sins - as you will taste shortly in the Holy Eucharist. And then to you, Darcy, He says: “submit to Matt as you would to me; receive from him the gifts I have placed for you in him, and remember to reverence and honor him as My gift to you.” And to you, Matt, He says: “Love Darcy, Matt. Love her as I have loved the church. That’s a laying down your life kind of love. That’s a seeking always what’s best for her and not merely consulting only what you want.”

Jesus says to both of you: “Do you see it, children? When people watch you, as you interact with each other - as your children will one watch you, as your neighbors observe you, as your friends check you out, this is what I want them to see: a miniature of my church and me! I want your relationship to be an icon, a visible portrayal of my self-giving love for the Church and her loyalty and devotion to me. So I will make your relationship new and you will be one - in me!”

And because the Church lives always from the forgiveness of sins that is in the Lord, because we do fail to live as He has invited us and summoned into living, His forgiveness will be the key to your relationship as well. For you will both fail to fully take the Lord up on His gracious invitation - and so you will both need to extend the Lord’s forgiveness to each other. And take it from an old married man - it’s something you’d best do every day. Before the sun sets. Before you lay down your head to go to sleep. Forgive each other in the Lord, and that forgiveness will continue to unite you together as one and your imitation of Christ and the Church will only grow.

And so the Lord Jesus, present at Your wedding to bless you, present in your married life as you give your ear to His Words, your mouths to His body and blood, and your hands to His service - He will go on blessing you. He will go on taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. Water into wine. Joy overflowing.

And the very best of all? When the man and his wife are together in the Lord, there will never be a parting. One of the things our Lord makes new is life itself. And so united to Him, living in His resurrected life, you share together a life that death cannot destroy. Matt, Jesus not only gives you a wife today; He reminds you that this wife is your beloved sister in Him and that together you share a life that will last forever. Darcy, same for you. Matt is not only your husband, but your brother in the Lamb of God, and as you both remain in Him, neither of you will ever be lost to the other for all eternity. Now that is a great gift indeed!

What a great God! And how wise you are to have begun your marriage with Him, under His blessing, and with His body and blood, uniting you to Him and so even closer to each other. “Behold, I make all things new.” Matt made new. Darcy made new. Their marriage, made new. New in Him to whom be glory forever with His all-holy Father and His life-giving Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages! Amen!

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ JEsus. Amen.

I Just Celebrated

my first Nuptial Divine Service - we had a Nuptial Divine Service for our wedding, but that was 27 years ago and I wasn't officiating. It really is beautiful to celebrate a wedding within THE WEDDING, a feast within THE FEAST. Matt and Darcy, may the Lord grant you many, many joyful, child-filled years in Jesus Christ! And Darcy, words can't begin to say how much we're going to miss you at St. Paul's - thanks for all you've done for us over the years. Above all, thanks for your unquenchable spirit!