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

Sunday of the Passion- The Small Catechism- The Sacrament of the Altar (cont'd)

"Who, then receives this sacrament worthily?"

This has always been a troubling question for me, and, I think, for the Christian church throughout the ages.  On the one hand, it's simple.  Luther says, "a person who has faith in these words, 'given for you' and 'shed for you for the forgiveness of sin', is really worthy and well prepared."  So, that's all there is to it.  Have faith.  Trust the words "for you."  And that really is how I see it.  But, on the other hand, some who read this may be old enough to remember having to go and "register" with the pastor the night before receiving communion.  I remember having to turn in a card as I went forward, assenting to the fact I believed in the true body and blood of Christ in the sacrament.  Still today, there are churches that won't allow visitors who are not of their denomination,  who may not understand their doctrine on communion, to receive the sacrament.  How can this be?  Well, the intentions may be good.  No one should take the sacrament in an unworthy manner.  Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 11.  ^" Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.  Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves." (vs. 27-29)  But, who judges this?  What does it mean?  Surely we should not receive the Lord's body and blood in a flippant manner.  But can we ever be worthy enough?  So, I say, come to the table.  It is for everyone.  We come to receive God's forgiveness, love, and grace.  Believing the words "given and shed for you is enough."  It's not about our worthiness or preparation.  Come.

The 34th Day of Lent- The Small Catechism- The Sacrament of the Altar (cont'd)

"How can bodily eating and drinking do such a great thing?

Luther responds to this question in much the same way he responds to a similar question about baptism.  It's not the water in the baptism, it's the water with the word of God.  It's not the eating and drinking in the Lord's Supper, "but rather the words that are recorded:'given for you' and 'shed for you for the forgiveness of your sin.'" It's the words with the elements that make the difference.  When we believe these words, and receive the sacrament, we have what the words say, "forgiveness of sin."  I am blessed to be able to serve communion to the congregation on a weekly basis.  I say your name, and I say "for you."  No matter what joys or sorrows you may be experiencing, this gift is for you.  There is nothing more personal that that.  You receive Christ into your body in the gift of bread and wine.  You are united with him.  Forgiveness is "for you."

The 33rd Day of Lent- The Small Catechism- The Sacrament of the Altar (cont'd)

"What is the benefit of such  eating and drinking?"

The above question refers to the Sacrament of the Altar.  How does receiving communion benefit us?  Eating and drinking physical food and water is essential for life.  Without it, we will die.  So also with the Sacrament of the Altar.  It is spiritual food.  It is life giving.  It renews and restores us.  "The words 'given for you' and 'shed for you for the forgiveness of sin' show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament through these words..."  And what is truly amazing is that these gifts are given time and time again, whenever we eat and drink the bread and wine.  We don't have to earn them.  We may have even acted in ways contrary to the way the Giver would want.  Yet, like a loving parent God gives over and over.  As Isak Dinesen says in "Babette's Feast,"  "That which we have chosen is given us, and that which we have refused is, also and at the same time, granted us." That's the love of God, God's grace, offered to you, in the Sacrament of the Altar. 

The 32nd Day of Lent- The Small Catechism- The Sacrament of the Altar- (cont'd)

"Do this for the remembrance of me."

The older I get, the more memories I accumulate.  But, I'm also aware that some memories fade, or are completely forgotten, until something brings them to mind again.  Some memories are difficult, some pleasant, as we don't get through life without collecting both.  In the Lord's Supper, we remember.  We remember the Last Supper and the words Jesus spoke at that meal.  "Take and eat, this is my body.  Take and drink, this is my blood.  Given for you."  In that memory, the meal becomes present once again.  It is more than a memory, it is Christ present in the bread and wine, for me, once again.  In that memory we are also reminded what God, in Christ, has done for us.  "This cup...shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin."  As today's devotion says, "In remembering, we see the pieces of his life united in one purpose: to reveal God's face of mercy and forgiveness."  What a wonderful memory!  What a wonderful promise!

The 31st Day of Lent- The Small Catechism- The Sacrament of the Altar

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

Today we turn to the second sacrament recognized by Luther.  It is referred to with several names including the "Sacrament of the Altar," the "Lord's Supper," Holy Communion," and the "Eucharist," (a Greek word meaning "thanksgiving).  As with baptism, Luther begins with a simple, yet profound,  definition.  His definition reveals his understanding of a sacrament.  There is an earthly element, in this case bread and wine.  It is instituted by Christ.  But more than that, in these elements we receive Christ himself.  We  remember the Last Supper.  We  remember the cross where his body was broken and blood poured out for our sins.  But the Sacrament of the Altar is more than remembering.  "It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine..."  God is revealed to us in many ways.  There is the beauty of creation.  We have the gift of prayer.  There are many hymns and songs that  move us.  We have the Holy Scriptures.  But in the Lord's Supper we are given Christ himself, his body and blood, to eat and drink.  What a gift!  What a mystery!  Thanks be to God for Christ's presence in bread and wine!

The 30th day of Lent- The Small Catechism- Confession- (Cont'd)

"Which sins is a person to confess?"
 
"Before God one is to acknowledge the guilt for all sins, even those of which we are not aware, as we do in the Lord's Prayer.  However, before the pastor we are to confess only those sins of which we are aware and which trouble us."

Sometimes we need to get things "off our chest."  It is good that we can bring all of our concerns before God.  God is there to hear our prayers and receive all we offer- good or bad.  There are  some very large and difficult issues in the world that are troubling and I, alone, cannot fix.  War, hunger, disease and its causes, etc. are things that I am aware of and perhaps even unknowingly have contributed to in some way.  These we confess before God.

But sometimes it is good to talk with another person about something that troubles us.  To speak with someone face-to-face, a trusted friend, a pastor, a Stephen minister, can be helpful as we unburden our concerns.  In other writings Luther says that we are at the same time both "saint and sinner."  In the quote in today's devotion, Brene' Brown writes, "We attempt to disown our difficult stories to appear more whole  or more acceptable, but our wholeness- even our wholeheartedness- actually depends on the integration of all of our experiences, including the falls."  Confession allows for this integration.  It speaks to who we truly are, and to a loving God who provides divine grace to make us whole.

29th day in Lent- The Small Catechism- Confession

"Confession consists of two parts.  One is that we confess our sins.  The other is that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven." 

Luther's words about confession and forgiveness in the Catechism do not typically receive the same attention as the other parts of the Catechism.  I'm not sure why that is.  We often open our worship services with words of confession and forgiveness, reflecting Luther's understanding.  Together, we confess our sin.  Together we receive absolution, the good news of God's forgiveness in Christ.  We also may confess things that lie heavy on our heart to a trusted pastor or friend.  We need to hear absolution then as well, knowing that God forgives our troubled past.  The devotion suggests that should someone choose us as their confessor, "you are called to speak on God's behalf and give them divine forgiveness."  Even I, as a pastor, probably do not do that as directly as I should.  People need to hear that good news.  "You are forgiven, for Jesus' sake."  When the occasion arises to speak these words of grace may we be moved to do so. 

5th Sunday in Lent- Holy Baptism- (cont'd)

"What is the significance of such a baptism with water?"

I might rephrase Luther's question like this, "What difference does baptism make for my life today?  How does it impact my life?"  I know my baptismal date and place, July 31st, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church, Palo Alto, CA.  That's a long time ago.  It's a date in history.  But Luther does not approach baptism as if it is a one time event on a certain date on the calendar.  Instead, it is a daily experience to be renewed constantly.  "Baptism signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever."  That's a long sentence!  But the key word for me is "daily."  Baptism is a "daily" dying to the sinful self, and a "daily" rising to the righteous self made possible through Christ alone.  Luther was fond of saying, "Remember your baptism."  Remember, indeed.  And as you remember, experience again the daily dying and rising that baptism offers.  That's how baptism impacts our lives.    

28th Day in Lent- The Small Catechism- Holy Baptism (cont'd)

"How can water do such things?"

In answering this question, Luther points to Titus 3: 5-8.  It is not the water, but the water with the gift of God's Holy Spirit,  "Through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."  The verse goes on to say it is all because of the gift of Jesus, "so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  In other words, it is not our own doing.  As the devotions says, "God gives us much responsibility in creation, but God did not consult us before giving us Jesus."  In this I find rest.  In this I find peace.  In my humanity I fall short every day.  I am far from perfect.  I take my responsibilities in my family, my work, and in the world, seriously.  But I can never fully measure up to all that I could be.  As Luther discovered in his life some 500 years ago, all of that striving is still not enough.  But the gospel sets us free from this.  "Freed from our own schemes of getting a piece of the inheritance, we settle down into the promise already offered and assured.  The death of Christ declares that the inheritance is  ours, this day and forever; so also Jesus shared resurrected life with us, this day and forever."  That's no joke.  That's God's love and promise.