Patristic Quote of the Day

Blood, to be sure, has no voice, but innocent blood that has been spilled is said to cry out not by words but by its very existence.—Maximus of Turin

Luther

Thus it is not right that the magistrates should look on, leaving sin to rule, and that we should remain silent about it. Our possessions, and honour, and loss we should not regard, and should not be angry because of anything that may happen to them, but God’s honour and command we must defend, and the loss and injustice which our neighbor suffers we must redress, the magistrates with the sword, other people with words and penalties, yet always grieving over those who have deserved such punishments.—Sermon on Good Works, 1520

Catechesis: Justification

For “unprofitable servants” means “insufficient,” because no one fears God as much, loves God as much, and believes God as much as he should.—Ap IV:342

August Totals

Had a great month, workout wise. In August I walked over 155 miles; performed 3800 pushups; and also 430 pull-ups and 430 kettlebell swings. Changed up the workout to go BACK to Monday to Friday workouts consisting of those three things, plus walking, and consequently in the middle of last month I dropped the HIIT (for the moment anyway)….and it feels GREAT. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

There were two reasons for his [Cain’s] annoyance: not just that he alone had been rejected but also that his brother’s gift had been accepted.—St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis

Catechesis: Justification

Without this High Priest (Christ) we cannot approach the Father.—Ap IV:333

Luther

As I have said, therefore, any Christian is a supreme pontiff, because, first, he offers and slaughters his reason and the mind of the flesh, and, secondly, he attributes to God the glory of being righteous, truthful, patient, kind, and merciful. This is the continuous evening and morning sacrifice in the New Testament. The evening sacrifice is to kill the reason, and the morning sacrifice is to glorify God. Thus a Christian is involved, daily and perpetually, in this double sacrifice and in its practice. No one can adequately proclaim the value and the dignity of Christian sacrifice.—Great Galatians

Patristic Quote of the Day

For his [the serpent’s] punishment is that he had in his power those who despise the commandment of God. The words by which sentence is pronounced against him make this clear. The punishment is the greater because he rejoices over this unhappy power, whereas before the fall he was accustomed to rejoice in the sublime truth, in which he did not remain.—St. Augustine, Two Books on Genesis Against the Manichaeans.

Luther

Behold, thus springs forth from faith, love, and a desire for God, and out of love a free, willing, and cheerful life spent in free service to our neighbor.—On the Freedom of a Christian

Catechesis: Justification

We should not be regarded as teaching anything new in this matter. The Church Fathers have clearly handed down the doctrine that we need mercy even in good works.—Ap IV:325

An oft heard comment…

…of those who have swum various rivers (let the reader understand): “Why would I trust the fathers on an arcane doctrine like the Trinity, but not on the invocation of the saints?” To which the proper response is: “I trust the fathers on the Trinity because they demonstrated this doctrine from the pages of Holy Scripture; I do not trust the fathers on the invocation of the saints, because they do not demonstrate this doctrine from the pages of the Holy Scripture.” Where is this written? That is the most important question we need to drill into the hearts and minds of our young people. Neglect it, and we open them up to a flood of nonsense that knows no bounds.

Patristic Quote of the Day

God, referring to the forbidden fruit, said to the first man whom he had established in paradise: “In the day that you shall eat of it, you shall die the death.” His threat included not only the first part of the first death, that is the soul’s deprivation of God; not only the second part of the first death, that is the body’s deprivation of the soul; not only the whole of the first death in which the soul, separated from both God and the body, is punished; but whatever of death is up to and including that absolutely final and so-called second death…in which the soul, deprived of God but united to the body, suffers eternal punishment.—St. Augustine, City of God 13.12

Luther

Holy Scripture has fine, clear eyes, and looks in the right way upon the worldly sword as that which must be merciless for mercy’s sake and exercise severity out of sheer goodness.—Sermon on the 5th Commandment, 1528

Catechesis: Love and Fulfilling of the Law

Nevertheless, scarcely a weak and feeble fulfilling of the Law happens even in saints.—Ap IV:290 

Patristic Quote of the Day

The gentle face of the earth, that is, the dignity of the earth, may be correctly viewed as the mother of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, who was watered by the Holy Spirit, who is signified in the Gospels by the term water.—St. Augustine, Two Books on Genesis Against the Manichaeans. 

Catechesis: Alms

We also grant this, that alms merit many favors from God, lessen punishments, and merit our defense in the dangers of sin and of death, as we have said a little before about the entire repentance.—Ap IV:278

Luther

But this is the town’s greatest and highest good, that it has many fine, scholarly, dignified, sensible, and honorable citizens, for they would be able to gather and treasure goods and keep them and use them aright.—To the Mayors

Patristic Quote of the Day

Just as the trees, the vegetation, the animals, the birds, and even humankind were old, so also were they young. They were old according to the appearance of their limbs and their substances, yet they were young because of the hour and moment of their creation. Likewise, the moon was both old and young. It was young, for it was but a moment old, but it was also old, for it was full as it is on the fifteenth day.—St. Ephrem the Syrian, Commentary on Genesis 1.24.1

Catechesis: Justification

The doctrine of repentance—because it not only commands new works, but also promises the forgiveness of sins—necessarily requires faith.—Ap IV:272

Luther

We Christians must understand that all worldly rule and power, until its time is run, is grounded in an ordinance or a commandment of God and in that prayer of Christians.—Exposition John xiv, xv

Gleanings from Luther’s Postils, Trinity X

Epistle: 1 Cor. 12:1-12

When Paul here speaks of calling Jesus accursed, he does not only have reference to openly blaspheming or cursing Christ’s name or person after the manner of heathen and of ungodly Jews; with them Paul has nothing to do here, nor are the Corinthians supposed to be of that character. Paul refers rather to the Christian who, though boasting of the Holy Spirit, does not preach Christ as the ground of our salvation as he should, but neglecting this truth, points the soul away to something else, pretending that this substitute is of the Holy Spirit and is something better and more essential than the common doctrine of the Gospel. CP VIII:207

The tongue of a minister of Christ—the language he employs—must be of that simplicity which preaches naught but Christ.—CP VIII:207

For instance, they exalt Mary as the mother of Jesus and Anna as his grandmother. But they have they thus torn men’s hearts away from Christ, turning over to Mary and the saints the honor due to him alone, and teaching the people to invoke these as mediators and intercessory having power to protect us in the hour of death. This is substituting dumb idols for Christ. No saint has ever taught such things; still less does the Word of God enjoin them.—CP VIII:208

Gospel: Luke 19:41-48

For we learn here of the very terrible wrath and judgment that befell Jerusalem. From it we must conclude that whoever persists securely in his wickedness and sins should never think that he can outrun the punishment. For as God did not excuse that proud and privileged city—because it had his Word and did not repent—so each individual should take note, leave off his sinning, and repent, for there’s no escaping God’s wrath and punishment if he doesn’t.—HP II:375

To put it another way, Do not just listen to what God says and then fail to improve the way you live, sinning the same way you did before, regardless of what anyone says or does. The punishment for that sin will most certainly come, even it may be a long time in coming. No one who despises God’s Word escapes punishment.—HP II:366

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that God will overlook it if we continue to commit that same sin.—HP II:366

The sin which God considers the greatest sin of them all, the one that he condones or tolerates less than any other, is the sin of his people not acknowledging his Day of Judgment.—HP II:368

There is no advice or help for the person who refuses the forgiveness of sins and the grace of God.—HP II:370

But to those who accept God’s Word and change their ways, this account is a source of comfort and learning. They learn that when God delays punishment, he does this for their benefit and peace, that God wants to graciously forgive their sins, if they just repent by changing their ways, if they just fear and love God. It is not surprise that we are sinners, but if we defend our sins, stubbornly continue in them without repenting, that is something God will not allow. He would rather totally destroy such people, especially when he comes to them with the gracious warning of his Word, pleading for us to repent and we just stubbornly refuse to listen.—HP II:374

But if Christ be no longer with us, our hope will vanish; and wherever this beloved guest is rejected, and his Christians no longer tolerated, government, peace, and everything shall perish.—CP IV:330

And thus it will also go with the world; as its people despise and persecute God’s Word, and become so hardened and blinded, they will blame no one as the cause and merit of their destruction but the precious Gospel itself; which nevertheless alone preserves, thank God, what is still preserved; otherwise all things would long since lay in one common heap of ruins. And yet it must bear the blame for everything that the devil and his clans transact.—CP IV:334

Luther

See, then, how in like manner, under the great diversity of the various states and persons called for in this life and ordained by Him, God has created one being and one unity with this intent, that each one in fulfilling his ministry shall do the work allotted to him as his state demands, performing it with that humility which regards all states and persons as equal before God, as being all created equal and having the one as much favour with Him as the other, so that no one may pride himself before God and his neighbor.—Sermons, 153

Catechesis: Justification

First, the Law cannot be obeyed unless we have been reborn through faith in Christ, just as Christ says in John 15:5 “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”—Ap IV:256

Patristic Quote of the Day

“‘Another Paraclete,’ however, is what he calls the Spirit who is from the essence of the Father and from his own essence” (St. Cyril of Alexandria, Ancient Christian Commentary: John vol. 2, p. 178, translated by CLS’s own Dr. David Maxwell).

A respectful disagreement

On ALPB Forum, which I no longer post to, but do still read, an erstwhile Lutheran who is now a Roman priest posted an absolutely lovely and stunning (musically speaking) youtube of Salve Regina. You can listen here. But as beautiful as the music is, I cannot but cringe at the words: 

Queen, mother of mercy:

our life, sweetness, and hope, hail.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To you we sigh, mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears.
Turn then, our advocate,
those merciful eyes
toward us.
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb,
after our exile, show us.
O clement, O loving, O sweet
Virgin Mary.

The other day I posted from our Symbols:

Now we grant that the blessed Mary prays for the church. But she does not receive souls in death, conquer death, or give life, does she? What does Christ do if the blessed Mary performs all these things? Even though she is worthy of the highest honor, nevertheless she does not want herself to be made equal with Christ, but instead wants us to consider and follow her example. The fact of the matter is that in the court of public opinion the blessed Virgin has completely replaced Christ. People have called upon her, trusted in her mercy, and through her have sought to conciliate Christ, as though he were not the propitiator, but only a dreadful judge and avenger.—Apology XXI:27, 28

This prayer, so beloved of our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, exemplifies the truth of the Apology’s words in spades. In fact, it is almost certainly what Melanchthon had in mind when he penned the above! What I have found particularly curious is that the early Lutherans, recognizing the loveliness of the words and the melody, realized that to keep it, they would need to reassign the whole to our Lord Jesus, for this would make the words not merely beautiful and moving, but beautifully and movingly true. And this was not merely done for Lutherans of the 16th century! Loehe includes it in his Seed-grains of Prayer (p. 118). I’ll cite the Lutheran version of this prayer from there:

All hail! King of mercy. 

Hail! Thou Who art the life, the joy, and the hope of our souls. 

We miserable children of Eve cry unto Thee. 

We long for Thee, sorrowful and weeping in this vale of tears. 

Hail, therefore, O Lord Christ! 

Thou who dost intercede for us with God, 

turn Thine eyes, beaming with mercy, upon us  

and show Thyself unto us, 

Thou blessed Son of God and of Mary, 

when the days of our misery shall have passed, 

O gracious, gentle, sweet, and lovely Jesus Christ. Amen. 

There you have the beautiful phrases of the prayer addressed to the one that the New Testament tells us is the one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus; who by the way it also calls our Advocate. He can and will receive such supplications and delight to answer them. 

Absolutely lovely and stunning the music no doubt is, but even more lovely and stunning is the truth that we may cry directly to our Jesus and that Scripture contains command to do so, many promises about doing so, and numerous examples of such; whereas, the Spirit-inspired Scripture is utterly silent on any command to, promise concerning, or an example of invoking the Mother of God. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

Let us glorify the Master Craftsman for all that has been done wisely and skillfully, and from the beauty of the visible things let us form an idea of him who is more than beautiful. And from the greatness of these perceptible and circumscribed bodies, let us conceive of him who is infinite and immense and who surpasses all understanding in the plenitude of his power.—St. Basil the Great, Hexameron i.11

Luther

He could also give you corn and fruit without your ploughing and planting, but that is not His will; neither is it His will that your ploughing and planting should produce corn and fruit; but you must plough and plant and say a blessing on your work and pray: Now help, O God; give us now corn and fruit, dear Lord; for our ploughing and planting will not yield us anything. It is Thy gift.—Exposition of Psalm cxlvii 

Catechesis: Justification

From these things it is clear that James does not contradict us. He criticized lazy and secure minds that imagine they have faith, although they do not have it. He made a distinction between dead and living faith. He says that faith that does not bring forth good works is dead. He also says that a living faith brings forth good works. Furthermore, we have shown already several times what we mean by faith. For we do not mean passive knowledge, such as devils have. Instead, we mean faith that resists the terrors of conscience and encourages and comforts terrified hearts.—Ap IV:127, 128

Patristic Quote of the Day

So let no one think that there is anything allegorical in the works of the six days. No one can rightly say that the things pertaining to these days are symbolic, nor can one say that they were meaningless names or that other things were symbolized by their names. Rather, let us know in just what manner heaven and earth were created in the beginning.—St. Ephrem the Syrian, Commentary on Genesis 1:1

Luther

Work you should and must, but do not ascribe the fact that you have food to eat and that your house is furnished to your work, but to God’s grace and blessing alone. For where it is ascribed to a man’s own work, covetousness and worry immediately raise their heads and the thought that much work will mean many possessions. Hence the strange contradiction occurs that some, who work extremely hard, have scarcely enough to eat, while others who work leisurely are blessed with all good things.—Exposition of Psalm cxxvi

Catechesis: Justification

Harmony in the Church cannot last unless pastors and churches mutually overlook and pardon many things. —Ap IV:243

Patristic Quote of the Day

Christ, Son of God, who was born of the Holy Virgin Mary, hath come as grace into the world; because by means of grace He hath made us alive, He that fashioned all things. Now that Christ is born into the world, doth all creation dance.—St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, Homily Concerning the Holy Mother of God

Selections from Lutheran Symbols Touching on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Likewise, it is taught that God the Son became a human being, born of the pure Virgin Mary, and that the two natures, the divine and human, are so inseparably united in one person that there is one Christ.—AC III:1,2

Now we grant that the blessed Mary prays for the church. But she does not receive souls in death, conquer death, or give life, does she? What does Christ do if the blessed Mary performs all these things? Even though she is worthy of the highest honor, nevertheless she does not want herself to be made equal with Christ, but instead wants us to consider and follow her example. The fact of the matter is that in the court of public opinion the blessed Virgin has completely replaced Christ. People have called upon her, trusted in her mercy, and through her have sought to conciliate Christ, as though he were not the propitiator, but only a dreadful judge and avenger.—Apology XXI:27, 28

Thus, the Dominicans invented the rosary of the blessed Virgin, which is mere babbling, as foolish as it is wicked; it nourishes a false confidence.—Apology XXVII:53

Therefore, we believe, teach, and confess that Mary did not conceive and give birth to a child who was merely, purely, simply human, but she gave birth to the true Son of God. Therefore, she is rightly called and truly is the Mother of God.—FC Ep VIII:12

Christ Jesus was in one person at the same time true and eternal God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and a true human being, born of the most blessed Virgin Mary, as it is written, in Romans 9:5, “from them [the patriarchs] according to the flesh comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever.”—FC SD VIII:6

Because of this personal union and communion of the natures, Mary, the most blessed Virgin, gave birth not to a mere, ordinary human being, but instead to a human being who is truly the Son of God the Most High, as the angel testifies. He demonstrated his divine majesty in his mother’s womb, in that he was born of a virgin without violating her virginity. Therefore, she has remained truly the Mother of God and at the same time a virgin.—FC SD VIII:24

Catechesis: Justification

Peace cannot be maintained unless people overlook and forgive certain mistakes among themselves.—Ap IV:232

Luther

And again you must know, that you have been given your state that you may humble yourself and serve others, as a nobleman serves his prince at court or at war, or a manservant or maidservant their masters and mistresses. All this you must do because it is God’s Will.—Sermons, 1544

Patristic Quote of the Day

For even though the Spirit exist in His Own Person, and is conceived of by Himself, inasmuch as He is the Spirit and not the Son, yet is He not therefore alien from Him; for He is called the Spirit of truth [John 15:26], and Christ is the Truth [John 14:6], and He proceedeth from Him, just as from God the Father.— Third Letter of St. Cyril of Alexandria to Nestorius, read and accepted at the Council of Ephesus, 431.

I always like to share this…

…when August 15th rolls around. This year I posted it up on the Eve of the Dormition on Gottesdienst. 

A fun day with dear friends

 

Where does the time fly?

Today is our oldest daughter’s 35th birthday. She’s halfway to 70 (as I keep reminding her!). Happy birthday, Lauren Elizabeth. We love you and are so proud of you! 

It’s 1:30

And it feels like a full day has already happened! Up at 5:30 (working on Wordle and Quordle) as I made coffee. Then prayed Treasury with Cindi for St. Lawrence’s Day. Privately prayed Matins with morning’s psalms, Jeremiah 49, Te Deum, Acts 9, Benedictus and then prayers from Lutheran Prayer Companion. A bit of meditation on the wounds of Christ with the Jesus Prayer. Reading from Day by Day (your daily bit of Luther), Larger Catechism, and a section from the Apology, and wrapped up with C. S. Lewis. Workout as I listened to Ezekiel (some of the racier bits today!) and did 200 pushups, 24 pull ups, 24 45 lb KB swings. Then out for a walk and what a delightful morning it was: the birds were belting out their own joyful Matins and Lauds! Home for shave and quick shower, after which I walked around a bit more inside the house to get miles up to 5. I love to have the five miles under the belt before 9 a.m., but it wasn’t till 9:10 I finished today. Still, I’ll take it. Then down to LPR studio to record a promo and three shows (with a Starbucks stop on the way). Home to cut grass, grab a bite to eat, and then write the next podcast. I debated getting in the pool, but it’s barely 80 and cloudy. Think I’ll pass on that today. So now I’m sitting here with a glass of wine and aimlessly blogging. 

I did decide to revert to older workout schedule. My intent going forward is to do the 200 - 24 - 24 on Monday-Friday, and to aim for at least 5 miles of walking Monday-Saturday. Sunday I’ll settle for 2.5. 

Still coming up is Vespers (evening psalms; Jeremiah 50; Magnificat; Hebrews 13; Nunc Dimittis; and Gerhard’s daily prayer), Dinner, and God willing, a game of Liverpool in which Dave, Lois, and Cindi will behave themselves (that is, let me win!). 

Gerhard’s Model Daily Prayer

This is provided in his marvelous, multi volume Schola Pietatis. 

O holy and righteous God, merciful Father, You are One, eternal, true God in three distinct Persons. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I confess and lament from the bottom of my heart that I, a person conceived and born in sin from my infancy on up to this present hour, have sinned against You daily and frequently. I have sinned knowingly and unknowingly, inwardly and outwardly, in thought, word, and deed. I have sinned against the first and the second table of Your holy Ten Commandments. I have never kept them properly and perfectly. Instead, I have sinned against all of them. I confess that I additionally have made myself a partaker of various sins. As a result, all creation accuses me before Your judgment. Also, my own heart and conscience cause me anxiety for so shamefully abusing Your manifold, great blessings with my sinning. Also, I have stirred up against me Your righteous wrath. And I pray You, O Lord and God, from the bottom of my heart, that You would forgive me all this for the sake of Your beloved Son, my true Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the sake of His precious merit and His perfectly availing payment.

Along with this, I thank You, O gracious and faithful God! I thank You for all Your blessing which You have so richly and abundantly shown me, that You have so wondrously formed me in my mother’s womb and allowed me to be born into this world alive. I thank You that You have graciously sustained me and provided for every need of my body and life in a fatherly fashion. That You have redeemed me from sin, death, devil, and hell through Christ, that You have sent Your only begotten Son into the flesh for my benefit and gave Him up into death—even death on the cross—for me. That You, through Your holy Word, have called me into the fellowship of Your kingdom of grace. I thank You that You waited with great patience for my conversion, that my heart’s conversion through the Holy Spirit was so mighty. That by grace all my sins are forgiven. That You have sustained me with good resolution and have richly bestowed on me all sorts of blessings in body and soul. That in Holy Baptism, You received me as Your dear child into Your covenant of grace. Also that You, in the holy Lord’s Supper, have fed and given me to drink of the true body and blood of Jesus Christ. That You up to now have protected me from many kinds of dangers and misfortunes and that You, by grace, have given me the sure promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus, my Savior.

Furthermore, I ask of You, almighty God and Father, that You would subdue and kill off the old man in me. Give to me and increase in me faith, love, hope, humility, patience, meekness, chastity, and all other Christian virtues. Grant that I, in my heart, spurn temporal thins and truly long for eternal things. Through Your Holy Spirit’s implantation of Your grace confer on me that I may deny and overcome the world. May I at all times find comfort amidst tribulation, true rest for my soul. Grant that I overcome in every adversity. May I be guarded against the devil’s power and cunning. Grant that I may finally depart from this life in peace and joy, and someday arise on Judgment Day to eternal life.

Last of all, I commend to You, O faithful God, Your holy Christian Church. May You graciously uphold it, increase it, and rule over it. Give us faithful teachers and preachers in schools and churches in order to open the hearts of the hearers, and direct them to follow Your Word with child-like obedience. Also, may You also grant that rulers and subjects, house fathers and house mothers, children and relatives, servants and maidens all faithfully fulfill their duties and Your will. I especially commend to You the authorities over me, my relatives and benefactors. May You please reward them for all the good they have shown to me. I also pray to You for all my enemies and persecutors. May You please overcome and convert them. I pray to You on behalf of all those in need. May You graciously grant counsel, comfort, and help to anxious and sorrowful hearts. Also, in general, may You have mercy upon all mankind. O faithful God and Father, would You please give ear to this prayer for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son and our Savior and Redeemer. Amen. Schola Pietatis II:128-131 (I cannot commend the purchase of these volumes from Repristination Press highly enough!)

Oops! Yesterday I missed…

…posting on this fine young lad’s TENTH birthday! Goodness, how did that happen so quickly? Happy birthday (a day late), Sawyer Dean, oldest grandson! Love you much!

Merry Christmas…to us!

This weekend we received last year’s Christmas gift from the kids: a weekend together at a location of our choosing. We selected Kentucky Dam Village because it was the closest location. The Herberts camped there all week, joined on Thursday by the Ibisches. The Weedons (younger and older) arrived Friday and were housed in cottages (neither of us being great fans of camping out). We enjoyed a meal together (sort of) in the Harbor Lights Restaurant the first evening. Then spent the morning at the pool all together. Some quiet time in the afternoon, getting the kids out of the sun. For supper, we congregated at David and Meaghan’s cabin, feasted on pizza and adult beverage (well, the adults did anyway), and played some Secret Hitler. This morning we met at 8 a.m. at Cracker Barrel and had two tables for all 19 of us. Then off to St. Paul’s in Paducah (with its East wall altar), where we had the joy of witnessing both an adult baptism and an adult confirmation, heard a Gospel drenched sermon (on the historic one year series, no less! Thank you, Pr. Appold!!!), sang LSB Divine Service 3 in harmony, received the Supper with joy, got to see and hug Craig Stroh (former member of St. Paul’s, Hamel) and Kim Sales (bonus: got to hear Kim do a great job on the organ!), and then headed our separate ways. It was wild and crazy as all our family gatherings are, but thanks be to God for the time together. A few pics for you and they’re all in a jumble; sorry!:

Patristic Quote of the Day

The books that are opened are indicative of the deeds and of the conscience of each person. There is but one book of life in which the names of the saints are written.—Andrew of Caesarea

Catechesis: Justification

We never satisfy the law! So we must always run back to the promise.—Ap IV:164, 165

Luther

The discipline of the flesh follows, to mortify its coarse and evil lust and win peace and rest. Such lusts must be overcome with fasting and watching and work. Thus we learn why and how much we should fast, watch, and work…. Therefore I leave it to every man to choose for himself the days, the food, and the amount of fasting, but he must not leave it at that, but keep watch over his flesh; inasmuch as he finds it lascivious and wanton, he should discipline it with fasting, watching, working, and more.—Sermon on Good Works, 1520

Patristic Quote of the Day

One might interpret the birds in a negative way and regard them as the transgressing angels. Having led their followers into destruction, these angels are said to have fulfilled their evil desire and to be filled with the flesh of the lost.—Primasius on Rev. 19:21

Luther

Hence there are few who acknowledge and believe that they are sinners. For how can a man confess he is a sinner if he cannot bear a word directed against his actions and plans, but immediately flies into a temper and swears that he is sincere and is doing good, and that it is wrong to oppose him and perverse to reject him?—Commentary on Romans

Catechesis: Justification

Paul is writing about faith that receives the forgiveness of sins in a terrified heart and flees from sin. Such faith does not remain in those who obey their desires, neither does it dwell with mortal sin.—Ap IV:144

For in this life we cannot satisfy the Law, because the sinful nature does not stop bringing forth evil inclinations and desires, even though the Spirit in us resists them.—Ap IV:146

Here’s our table…

…partially set for our post-church luncheon:

See that little bit of bench sticking out? It hit me today that the man who made it, my grandmother’s grandfather, Thomas Pemberton, was born over 200 years ago, all the way back in 1821. And at least since my father and uncle came along a century after Thomas was born, little Weedon posteriors have seated themselves upon it, often for Sunday meals. Today three little Weedon bottoms were still planted on it: Lydia, Oliver, and Henry. I don’t think they have the first clue that they are the great-great-great-great grandchildren of the man who built it, and built it to last.

If you have not yet discovered…

…the joy of a Sunday afternoon with Luther’s Postils, might I heartily commend this old practice to you? Many a Lutheran in years of old would not only enjoy the preaching of his or her pastor on Sunday morning, but would spend the afternoon also with a sermon from Luther. We are blessed to have both the House Postils (they are theologically more mature over all) and the Church Postils in English. 

Now, don’t be put off if you find a sermon such as the one for Epiphany in the Church Postil! It goes on far too long for a real sermon that would actually be delivered from a pulpit (I think Luther wrote that one while locked up in Wartburg and had nothing else to do but translate the Bible and preach to himself!). Yet even that one is filled with great insights; you just have to read it in bite sized chunks. 

Today, though, I read the Church Postil on the Epistle for this Sunday (the conclusion of Romans 6; and anyone who imagines Luther was the original antinomian needs to check it out). It was truly golden. We are blessed to be heirs a most insightful teacher of the Sacred Scriptures! And, something Pr. Wolfmueller and I have discussed before: he’s also really funny. He is romping around the Scriptures with all the joy and delight of a child at home in his Father’s house. And sometimes he puts things in a way that will leave you chuckling. Give it a whirl, folks. It’s a wonderful part of godly Lutheran piety.

So as I sat in my car…

…waiting for Cindi to get in (let the married men understand…) to head up to Church, I was just overwhelmed this morning with the realization of how utterly blessed we are. We are getting into a car to drive FIVE MINUTES to the greatest Lutheran Church in the world. Our Kantor was taking a well-earned weekend off, but here that’s no problem because as of right now there are SEVEN organists in the congregation total (yes, seriously). Seven organists in one country parish. So even with Kantor gone, this morning Pr. Daenzer regaled us with Pachelbel and Böhm. Pastor, Vicar, and Seminarian Preston (all traditionally vested) served up a most reverent and faithful Divine Service for Trinity 7. My son, David, served as cantor for both Divine Services today. His singing was (as always) bold, beautiful and most importantly, clear. Every word was easy to understand without reference to the bulletin for either Gradual or Alleluia Verse. Pastor’s sermon was beautiful beyond words, particularly in a parish where we’ve had a tragic and unexpected death and various other hardships and griefs this week. The comfort of the Gospel rang through: God who is near, who sees our every need, who comes into the flesh to provide us with a heavenly food that exceeds all we could dare to hope for or desire, and promises us forgiveness, resurrection, life everlasting. We welcomed the latest organist (our new teacher, Barbara Rattelmueller) after the homily, and then we interceded together for the Church, the world, and those near and dear to us. We lifted up the sorrows and joys to the throne of God in Christ’s name. Shortly thereafter, kneeling between my beloved wife and father-in-law, I received the true body and blood of my Savior. Back in the pew, after a prayer of thanks, to join in two hymns during the Distribution, but then an astonishing gift as the distribution was concluding. Pr. Daenzer played but two pitches from the organ and then sang unaccompanied to us Luther’s “In peace and joy I now depart.” Cindi said she had tears in her eyes. My own heart was just filled to overflowing as those beautiful words and haunting melody came floating down over the congregation. At the close of the communion liturgy, we all belted out a raucous “Guide Me Ever Great [Jehovah, as my wife insisted on singing] Redeemer.” Yes, we at St. Paul’s are blessed way, way beyond words. Thank You, Lord, for Prs. Ball and Gleason, and their clear Gospel preaching; thank You for our Vicar and seminarians; thank You for the wonderful family of God that gathers here; thank You for Your Word and Sacrament offered in such beauty and with both grace and joy, affording us a blessed foretaste of the age to come; thank You for our godly Principal and his hardworking staff, all dedicated to serving up a top-notch classical education for the children of our parish (and community). Thank you for all Your boundless blessings! “Glory to God for all things!”

July’s Summary

Definitely a more laid back month for workouts, with the MWF pattern for pushups, pullups, and kettlebell swings. Missed one Friday and Monday, due to having family in for Dave’s party. So that cut down a bit on my usual:

2750 pushups

166 pullups

166 kettlebell swings

Only 40 minutes of HIIT. 

(I pulled back on the HIIT and upped the walking, which I obviously enjoy more and find more relaxing). 

I averaged 5 miles per day this month, but this week was just shy of 7 miles per day (and it probably will be 7 miles per day; the day and week isn’t done yet!). 

Patristic Quote of the Day

This name reveals the unity of the divine incarnation. For in this unity he who is God suffered in the flesh, and although man, he is King of kings and Lord of lords. Those who have ruled the passions and in cooperation with Christ have possessed the authority and power over sin shall also rule with him in the coming age.—St. Andrew of Caesarea, Commentary on the Apocalypse 19.16

Luther

Holy Baptism was won for us through that blood which He shed for us when He paid for our sin. This blood and the merit and power of it He has attached to baptism, that we should thus receive it.—Sermons, 1540

Catechesis: Justification

We also say that love ought to follow faith, as Paul also says in Galatians 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”—Ap IV:111

What is it…

…about a nice thunderstorm on a summer afternoon? I just find it so peaceful. Very thankful, however, that we were able to get the grass cut before it rolled in. So now, I’m sitting here in my study, watching the occasional lightning, listening to the rumbles, and feeling quite content. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

For in the present age Babylon is always going into destruction and burning up in part, just as Jerusalem is moving into paradise in those saints who leave the world. The Lord showed this in the story of the poor man and the rich man.—St. Caesarius of Arles (Homily 18 on Revelation)

Catechesis: Justification

Citing St. Augustine By the Law we fear God; by faith we hope in God. But to those fearing punishment grace is hidden. And the soul laboring under this fear resorts by faith to God’s mercy, in order that He may give what He commands.—Ap IV:106

Luther

If a man has fallen into sin, he should think most intensely of his baptism, of how God there promised to forgive all his sin, if he would fight against it until death.—Sermon on the holy and venerable Sacrament of Holy Baptism, 1519

Patristic Quote of the Day

Rather, this is the city of all the proud and arrogant, which Cain established by the blood of his brother and which he named after the name of his son, Enoch, that is, after his posterity. For all the wicked in whom Babylon resides succeed one another and persecute the church of God until the end of the world. In the city of Cain “all the righteous blood” is poured out “from the blood of righteous Able to the blood of Zechariah,” that is, of the people and of the priests, “between the sanctuary and the altar.”—St. Caesarius of Arles on Rev. 18:21-24

Luther

The names of all the virtues are names of God.—Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer for Simple Lay-folk, 1519

Catechesis: Justification

Paul sets forth in the third chapter: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). The adversaries conclude that this passage refers to Levitical ceremonies. But Paul speaks not only of ceremonies, but of the whole Law. For he quotes afterward (7:7) from the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet.”—Ap IV:87

How can she be four already?

Yet she is! Happy birthday Evangeline!!!

Patristic Quote of the Day

This angel who is strong and brightens the earth may be regarded as both the Lord incarnate himself as well as the teachers of the church who, granted heavenly light, preach the fall of the world, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”—The Venerable Bede, Explanation of the Apocalypse, xviii.1

Luther

The meaning of this word is a blessed dying unto sin and a rising in the grace of God, so that the old man conceived and born in sin is drowned, and a new man emerges or rises, born of grace. Thus sin is drowned in baptism and justification emerges.—Sermon on the Holy and Venerable Sacrament of Baptism, 1519

Catechesis: Justification

We understand justification as the making of a righteous person out of an unrighteous one, or that a person is regenerated.—Ap IV:78

Snagging a few days…

…off, since my colleague, Craig, is away from the office. I’ll happily take this four day weekend to replace that wretched week when I was supposed to be off in May (with the colonoscopy and complications and church all weekend). Got grass cut on Wednesday after recording and writing a bit, so have these four days before us with nothing pressing at all and I’m already enjoying them immensely. Only downer is my dear father-in-law is under the weather, so no Liverpool. 

Patristic Quote of the Day

For in the world there are two cities, one that arises from the abyss and the other that comes down from heaven. And so now he compares the same ungodliness which he had described in the form of a harlot made naked and burned up, with the ruins of a deserted city.—The Venerable Bede on Rev. 17.18

Luther

They [the saints] are called holy, not because they are without sin, or sanctified through works. On the contrary, they are sinners in themselves and are condemned with all their works, but are made saints with a sanctity which is not their own, but Christ the Lord’s, which is given to them through faith and becomes their own.—Exposition of Jn xvi-xx

Catechesis: Distinctions of Law

All Scripture ought to be distributed into these two principal topics: the Law and the promises…Furthermore, in this discussion by Law we mean the Ten Commandments, wherever they are read in the Scriptures. We say nothing at present about the ceremonies and judicial laws of Moses.—Ap IV:97

Gotta love Aquinas…

Summa, Part III, Question 78:

Some have contended that this sacrament cannot be accomplished by uttering the aforesaid words [the words of Christ from the Words of Institution], while leaving out the rest, especially the words in the Canon of the Mass. But that this is false can be seen both from Ambrose's words quoted above, as well as from the fact that the Canon of the Mass is not the same in all places or times, but various portions have been introduced by various people.

Accordingly it must be held that if the priest were to pronounce only the aforesaid words with the intention of consecrating this sacrament, this sacrament would be valid because the intention would cause these words to be understood as spoken in the person of Christ, even though the words were pronounced without those that precede. The priest, however, would sin gravely* in consecrating the sacrament thus, as he would not be observing the rite of the Church.

*A Lutheran, of course, affirms what he affirms about the consecration happening, while we certainly would disagree about omission of the canon constituting “a grave sin.” 

Patristic Quote of the Day

Therefore, through a mind of wisdom [this book] also says that the seven heads must be understood as seven hills, so that it might signify Rome, which sits upon seven hills.—Primasius, on Rev. 17:3

Luther

There is a fine distinction: inasmuch as I am a man and a child of Adam, I belong to hell. If I had on my side all manner of self-appointed piety, austerity, fervent devotion, and good works, and wished to rely on them, I should be damned and lost. But if you believe that through Christ, who died for your sin and is risen for your salvation, you have become a brother of Christ and a child of God, and have been baptized in that faith, you can say: Now I am no longer Adam’s child, no longer a sinner, so long as I belong to this brotherhood. And if you can be bold and audacious about it, do so.—Sermons, 1530

Catechesis: The Catholic Principal

For this reason our preachers have diligently taught all about these things [on the persistence of concupiscence after Baptism]. They have not delivered anything new, but have set forth Holy Scripture and the judgment of the Holy Fathers.—Ap II:50

The amazing poet, hymnwriter, and pastor, Kurt Reinhardt…

…has just published the most beautiful volume: Through the Valley. It is a collection of his poems/hymns, mostly written to comfort a fellow pastor and his wife, dear friends of his, as she was dying. Some of the poems were occasioned by other saints walking that dark valley. Each is paired with beautiful photos and artwork and a Scripture passage. This is the book to give to any who are treading that dark path, for through Pr. Reinhardt’s poetry the Good Shepherd himself walks beside them to bring them safely home.

You can order here. 

Happy 34th, David Stuart!

You’ve come a long way from this:

Patristic Quote of the Day

Pouring the bowl on the throne of the beast signifies the pouring out of a great wrath upon the kingdom of the antichrist. This kingdom is shown to be in darkness, that is, it is bereft of the light of “sun of righteousness.”—St. Andrew of Caesarea on Rev. 16:10

Catechesis: Intro to Apology

In these controversies, as far as I was able to, it has always been my custom to keep the traditional form of doctrine. I did this so that at some time unity could be reached more readily…. We will commend our cause to Christ, who will someday judge these controversies. We beg Him to look upon the afflicted and scattered churches and to bring them back to godly and continuous harmony.—Ap Intro:11, 19

Luther

And since God in His kingdom forgives us so much out of sheer grace, we ought also to forgive our neighbour a little.—Sermons, 1524

Patristic Quote of the Day

This vision corresponds to the hymn. For in order that the Lord might be adored by all nations, the temple of the mysteries of God, once enclosed in the walls of one city, now begins to be opened spiritually to the whole world.—Venerable Bede on Rev. 15:6

Luther

Learn here to seek your neighbour as a lost sheep, to cover his shame with your honour, and to let your sanctity be a cover for his sins.—Sermon, 1522

Catechesis: Power of Bishops

It is not our intention to take oversight away from the bishops. We only ask this one thing, that they allow the Gospel to be taught purely, and that they relax a few observances that they claim it is sinful to change. If they will not give anything up, it is for them to decide how they will give an account to God for causing schism by their stubbornness.—AC XXVIII:77, 78

Was blest to preach and celebrate the Divine Service…

…this past Sunday. You can watch it here. 

An Early Birthday for Opa…

…Opa (Dave DeVries) turns 85 this Friday, and we anticipated his birthday a little bit. Aunt Sandi (Jo’s sister), Deb and Dee came out to help us celebrate. The weekend was bit of whirl. They arrived from Maryland on Thursday and we had dinner together; Friday we took Opa out to Moussalli’s in Edwardsville with just us “old people”; Saturday we hosted an open house for him and had lots of folk drop in to wish him a happy birthday; Sunday after church, Lauren’s family and David’s family and Kloe (spending the weekend with Lydia) came over and we had a big brunch, after which the kids went swimming. On Sunday afternoon, the girls went shopping and after dinner they took some flowers up to Jo’s grave with Opa. We finished off our visit with a game of 5 crowns. It was sad to see them leave this morning, but thank you, Lord, for the time together and for the man in whose honor we gathered:

Happy birthday, Mom!

My mom, Mildred Hume Mastin Weedon, would be 105 today. All my memories of her are during menopause (she was 40 when I was born!), so I can never think of her without her “sweat towel” (a little tea towel she kept handy to wipe the sweat and to fan herself). She loved to laugh, and visiting with her sisters was always her great joy. They’d sit on the screened porch all afternoon, snapping beans, and then all evening, visiting. She had a very soft spot for, of all things, laundry. She loved doing it with my Aunt Emma. She was a fabulous short order cook (and she really did ask what we wanted and then made it up for us). The pic is before she was stricken with polio as a child. It left her with one leg shorter than the other. She said she never could keep up with her siblings because of it, and so she turned to reading. Her Aunt Annie (her father’s older sister) had taught her well: “With a good book I can travel the world and never leave this rocker!” And she did travel the world in her reading. She had a special place in her heart for poetry. She loved simple children’s poetry above all: Eugene Field (a distant cousin) was one of her favorites; but also Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses. I still remember many of those in her voice: “How I love to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue…” She never quite lost her Virginia accent so she pronounced “flow” for floor, “doh” for door. And we always knew that “home” wasn’t Maryland, but back to Richardsville. In Maryland, she was downright reclusive (yes, I know where I get it from). I remember her trying to teach me “hop scotch” as a youngster, though her hopping was always nerve-wracking! Remember, she was crippled. She doted on all her children AND her grandchildren, not to mention her nephews and nieces. I miss her very much. She died back in 1994 at Thanksgiving.

Patristic Quote of the Day

The voice from heaven does not bless all the dead, but only those who die in the Lord, who have died to the world and carrying about the dying of Jesus in the body and suffer with Christ. For these persons the departure from the body is truly a rest from their labor.—St. Andrew of Caesarea

Luther

For where the Gospel is truly in the heart, it creates a new man who does not wait until the law comes, but, being so full of joy in Christ, and of desire and love for that which is good, he gladly helps and does good to every one wherever he can, from a free heart, before he ever once thinks of the law.—Church Postils IV:76 Sermon 2 for Trinity 3

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

God’s precepts and God’s true service, are hidden when people hear that only monks are in a state of perfection. True Christian perfection is to fear God from the heart, to have great faith, and to trust that for Christ’s sake we have a God who has been reconciled. It means to ask for and expect from God His help in all things with confident assurance that we are to live according to our calling in life, being diligent in outward good works, serving our calling.—AC XXVII:49

Patristic Quote of the Day

The forerunner of the apostate false Christ will do all things through sorcery for the deception of humankind, so that the antiChrist will be regarded as God.—St. Andrew of Caesarea

Luther

But should Moses go further, where he has no right, that is, into my heart and conscience, there I will neither hear nor see him. For there I have another great and unspeakable treasure, called Christ, with his baptism and Gospel. In a word, what concerns the outer man, there Moses cannot burden nor urge too much, but he dare not in the least burden the conscience. For where the Spirit is who brings us to Christ, he is above all law.—Church Postils IV:77 (Sermon for Trinity III)

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

A vow should be something that is possible; it should be a decision that is made freely and after careful deliberation. We all know how possible perpetual chastity is in reality and just how few people actually do take this vow freely and deliberately!—AC XXVII:27-29

Patristic Quote of the Day

With such may the merciful God also find us partakers who consider “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed” to the saints and who walk valiantly the narrow way, so that, finding at the end of it glory in the coming age and rest and paradise, we might reign with Christ.—St. Andrew of Caesarea

Luther

In this way a man may defend himself and withstand the suggestions and temptations of the devil, either referring to past or present sins; so that these two may be kept wide apart, Moses and Christ, works and faith, conscience and outward life; so that when the law attacks me and would terrify my heart, then it is time to give the good law a furlough, and if it will not go, bravely drive it away and say: Gladly would I do and promote good works where I can at the proper time, when among the people; but here where my conscience must stand before God, I will know nothing of them, in this only let me alone, and do not speak to me of what I do or fail to do. Here I will not listen either to Moses or the Pharisees, but my baptism and Christ only shall reign here in full sway, and I will like Mary sit at his feet and hear his Word.—Church Postils IV:74, 75 (Sermon for Trinity 3)

Catechesis: Monastic Vows

First, concerning the monks who marry, our teachers say that it is lawful for anyone who is not suited to the single life to enter marriage. Monastic vows cannot destroy what God has commanded and ordained. God’s commandment is this, “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife.”—AC XXVII:18, 19

A Very Happy 77th Birthday, Butch!

Butch (Seldon Stuart, named after my mother’s youngest brother who died in a tragic hunting accident a few years before his birth, and for my father) is my oldest brother, and now my only brother. We were originally four brothers and one sister. Now it’s down to Butch, Sissy (Mildred Marie, named after my mother) and me, the caboose. That first pic is of Butch with his wife and two grandchildren, Natalie and Chance (yes, another Chancellor, named after our grandfather). Whenever I think of Butch, I think of driving in the mountains, fishing, hunting, and softball. He STILL plays on a team where he lives and I always remember him loving it. He had a career in firefighting (and also a short stint as a police officer). Happy birthday, oldest bro!

Summary June Workouts

After a fairly light May (long story!), June was back to normal workout schedule. Totals were: 3,080 pushups; 316 pull ups; 316 45 lb. kettle bell swings; and 8 (10 minute each) high intensity interval trainings. Relatively light compared to what I used to do, but I’ll settle. Gladly. Thankful that I can still do that!

Patristic Quote of the Day

One of his heads was mortally wounded, but its mortal wound was healed. He is referring here to Nero.—Victorinus of Petovium

Luther

If we were merciful all the time, then we would be perfect, even as he is perfect; but that does not fully take place while we are here in this life.—Church Postils IV:109 (First Homily for Trinity 4)

Catechesis: The Mass

No one is admitted to the Sacrament without first being examined. The people are also advised about the dignity and use of the Sacrament, about how it brings great consolation to anxious consciences, so that they too may learn to believe God and to expect and ask from Him all that is good.—AC XXIV:6,7