The Resurrection of Our Lord- The Small Catechism- Luther's Flood Prayer (cont'd)

"Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life."

Today we celebrate new life!  The long road from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday has come to an end.  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Today, in churches throughout the world, baptisms are taking place.  New life is given.  This is possible because the tomb could not hold Jesus.  The power of God raised him up, declaring that sin and death do not have the final say.  What appears as an end, is only the beginning.  Death is transformed to eternal life with God.  Alleluia!  The devotion suggests that because of the resurrection, we are given new wings.  We take flight, so to speak.  But the author also reminds us, "it is God's wings, not our own, that hold us up."  We will continue to fight against the "old Adam" within, the sin and death that binds us.  But God has already won the victory.  We are set free to love God and one another until that day when we, too, are called to enter God's eternal kingdom.

Thanks you for following my thoughts throughout our 2017 Lenten journey.  I've enjoyed revisiting Luther's Small Catechism during this 500th anniversary year.  His words still speak to us and help us understand the essentials of the Christian faith.  God's blessings as you continue to celebrate the good news of the resurrection throughout the Easter season!

The 40th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism-Jesus in the Tomb

Today's devotion in "Free Indeed" moves one day ahead to focus on the resurrection.  I will reflect on that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, as we conclude this year's Lenten journey.  Today, I'd rather have us think about this day of mystery, Jesus in the tomb.  Here Jesus completely identifies with all of humanity.  He died.  He was placed in the tomb, sealed by a large stone.  His life was over.  We have each been given life.  Who can understand that?  Why was I born to the parents who raised me?  It was not by my choosing, it just came to be for me.  It is pure gift.  But the days we are given are limited.  We will die.  There is an end.  What's beyond that end?  Because Jesus spent this day in the tomb, and because we live on this side of the cross and resurrection, we already know the answer.  But today is a day to pause and recall the complete identification of Jesus with us in his death.  He was in the tomb.  We are humbled by such love. 

The 39th Day of Lent- Good Friday-Luther's Catechism-The Flood Prayer

In our Baptism service, we pray a prayer by Luther with many references to water.  "In the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world," "through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family," "through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom," "at the river Your Son was baptized by John," and finally, "by the baptism of Jesus' death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you."  Today is Good Friday.  We specifically remember "the baptism of Jesus' death."  Today is the day of humiliation, suffering, and death.  To go back to the words of Jesus in the Last Supper, this is done "for you."  It is done for me.  It is done for all creation.  It is the taking on of all the world's sin, whose penalty is death, on to Jesus, whose death pays the penalty.  The flood of anger and hate overcome Jesus, the end result being the cross.  Today is the day to contemplate this act of love, for you and for me. 

The 38th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism- Maundy Thursday- Table Blessing after Meals

Do you pray after meals?  I must confess, I do not.  In fact, after many years as a Lutheran pastor, I was not even aware that Luther instructed families to pray following meals, as a further expression of gratitude for what has been received.  "Similarly, after eating they should in the same manner fold their hands and recite devoutly:'Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good, for God's mercy endures forever.  God provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they cry.  God is not impressed by the might of a horse, and has no pleasure for the speed of a runner, but finds pleasure in those who fear the Lord, in those who await God's steadfast love."

Today is Maundy Thursday, the night of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus.  It was a Passover meal, a meal of gratitude for God's deliverance of the people of Israel from slavery to the Egyptians.  It was during this meal  that Jesus gave it  additional meaning, "This is my body, this is my blood."  He further gave us a model of servanthood by washing the feet of his disciples.  Can we ever express enough gratitude for all God has done for us?  Before the meal is good.  Before and after the meal is even better.  Living with gratitude at all times is better still.

"Mighty and merciful God, accept our thanks and have patience when we forget our dependence on you.  Amen"

The 37th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism- Table Blessing

Here Luther encourages families to pray together before meals.  "The children and the members of the household are to come devoutly to the table, fold their hands, and recite: "The eyes of all wait upon you, O lord, and you give them their food in due season.  You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living creature."  As the devotion points out, if only it were so easy!  Even getting children and parents to sit down for one meal together is a challenge.  Then to take time to pray before rushing off to the next activity- impossible!  But what are we teaching our children when we do such things?  What does that say about us?  So, even pausing for a brief prayer like "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed," is a holy moment that matters.  It reminds us from whom the food before us ultimately originates.  It invites Jesus to be present and to bless the gifts.  It may be a small thing, but repetition matters.  "It is necessary repetition that works its way from our lips into our bones, convincing us that our food and our lives are pure gift."  So, whether you eat alone this day, or with others, remember to pause and gifts thanks before the meal. 

36th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism- The Evening Blessing

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen"

Each day is a gift.  Luther's evening prayer is a reminder of this.  God has kept and protected us another day.  Where we have sinned, we ask for forgiveness, by God's grace.  When night falls, we give everything into God's care, "my body and soul, and all things."  Luther then adds, "Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully."  If only that were so easy.  The troubles of this world often keep us up- or wake us up- during the night.  But, like the morning blessing, this prayer reminds us that God is present and watching over us.  God can handle the problems we face.  Knowing that, we rest, to awaken to a new day to all that God has planned  for us.

"In you loving arms, O God, grant all your children rest and safety. Amen"

35th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism- The Morning Blessing

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen"

How do you start your day?  My guess is that many of you begin by looking at your phone.  Any calls during the night you may have missed?  Text messages? E-mails?  What's the latest news?  I admit I often do so as well.  We start the day with stress, and it only gets more intense from there.  Luther didn't have a smart phone.  But he knew something about stress.  His writings and speeches nearly got him killed, taking on the papacy and governing authorities.  He suggested starting the day by making the sign of the cross and saying, "God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, watch over me. Amen"   I think that's a much better start (along with a cup of coffee 😊) than looking at our phones.  He then said recite the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer.  All of this places our lives under the care of God.  He then adds, if you'd like, say the above morning prayer.  We thank God for protecting us during the night, and pray for God to watch over us during the day.  With that stress free beginning, we enter our day.  Maybe that will lessen our stress throughout the day, knowing we've entrusted whatever comes our way  to God.  I think so.  Peace.

“I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.” - See more at: http://lutheranreformation.org/theology/luthers-morning-prayer-model-christians-daily-life/#sthash.EZ5c7dou.dpuf

“I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.” - See more at: http://lutheranreformation.org/theology/luthers-morning-prayer-model-christians-daily-life/#sthash.EZ5c7dou.dpuf

“I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.” - See more at: http://lutheranreformation.org/theology/luthers-morning-prayer-model-christians-daily-life/#sthash.EZ5c7dou.dpuf