October 7, 2024

Today's Reading: Genesis 2:18-25

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 6:10-25; Matthew 9:18-38

“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Dominion, according to the dictionary, is supremacy or dominance, but our text from Genesis tells another story. God created man in His image, in His likeness, and in verse 19 of our text, we see God sitting back as He brought all of creation to Adam to see what he’d name the stuff… it must have been quite a sight. It was to Man… to Adam, the crown jewel of creation, that God brought all the creation and heard that Adam called them Aardvarks, Platypi, and Zebras. God created and waited to see what the crown jewel, Adam, would call them. We humans are God’s favorites! The dominion God gives to Adam to name stuff isn’t about control or power, though; it’s the same joy that a mother or father has in seeing what their little ones will call one of the things they created out of paper and crayons, mud, stones or macaroni noodles… there is joy, not because of power, supremacy or superiority, but because something has been created and has been given a NAME!

We see it in what Adam calls the creature taken from his own body. She’s different from him… and yet she’s wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, that Adam says, “At last… there’s the helper, taken from my own flesh… she’s me, and I’m her… but we’re different… beautifully different.” Woman is what she is: ‘from man.’ That’s the name Adam gives her, and yet she has another name: Eve…

Eve… like Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve… meaning that from her will come other wonderful and blessed humans, little girls and boys… our greatest of grandparents all the way up to us. The man will leave His parents and cleave (hold fast) to his wife… sure, they’ll still be two distinct people, different in many ways, but in Holy Matrimony, they’re one… complete with all the differences, and, by the grace of God, of one mind, of one direction. Regardless of whether a man or woman gets married, there still remains the truth that man and woman are the two genders God created… we are different but complimentary. We don’t always think the same way, but that’s part of the beauty and wonder… that our Heavenly Father sent Jesus ‘the Man’ to buy back His wayward bride. He is the greater Adam who has given us His Name, ‘Christian,’ for all we have has been taken from and given to us from His precious blood and pierced side. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is His new creation by water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her and for her life He died. (LSB 644:1)

-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 6, 2024

Today's Reading: Mark 10:2-16

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9; Matthew 9:1-17

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (Mark 10:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Children, especially the littlest children, are completely dependent. Adam and Eve were created perfect… and the gift of children that came by Holy Matrimony was not just a promise of a future for all mankind but was given as a joy and a gift that revealed to man just how God graciously takes care of us in all our dependency.

Adam and Eve needed God to provide everything… and they loved their dependence. This didn’t mean they just sat around and did nothing, though… there was plenty for them to do for each other. Adam cared for Eve, taught her, and was overjoyed to love his wife. Eve was served by Adam, and she loved to serve her husband… and that’s what’s wonderful about what Jesus teaches the Pharisees and us in our text. The Pharisees weren’t arguing about who was the greatest just to be seen as the best… they sought to ‘be served’ by those who were not as great as them. Jesus teaches us and them that they’re not the greatest because of their high stature, their law-abiding, or anything that they do at all. The greatest is like a little itty bitty baby who’s dependent on mom and dad for EVERYTHING! The greatest is the servant, as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 23:11. The One who receives the Kingdom of God is like Adam and Eve before the Fall– totally dependent on God for all things.

The person who will enter heaven is the person who is given the kingdom like a little needy child. That’s the person Jesus says “receives the kingdom of God…” That’s who Jesus (who, though He was God, became the servant of all) says enters heaven… the needy children who’ve been given everything. Receiving the Kingdom of God, receiving Jesus is simply this… He does everything for us… gives all that is His to us, forgives us, and He does so by means of water, bread, wine, body, blood, and the word in the Divine Service, and the Holy Spirit brings us there and gives us the faith of a little child… faith that says, “Amen, amen it is so!” Christ my Lord abides with me. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Merciful Father, Your patience and loving-kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

-Rev. Adam DeGroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.

October 5, 2024

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 20 - Psalm 127:3-5; antiphon: Psalm 127:1a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Matthew 8:18-34

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame” (Psalm 127:3-5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Every year, someone releases a list of words and phrases that should be banished. One phrase that has not yet appeared on that list, but probably should, is, “Children should be seen and not heard.” That little gem of a saying makes children seem like some kind of burden that society must endure. It is difficult enough to be young; the last thing needed is for the young not to be valued. Even parenthood suffers in our time. Pregnancy is treated like an illness or disability, motherhood is looked down upon, and fathers are depicted as inept in popular culture. At times, it seems that family life in general is under attack.

This is nothing new. Children were not universally valued in the ancient world. They were not even considered people unless their father accepted them. In fact, infant exposure was common, and unwanted children were left outside to die. In contrast, the ancient Israelites highly valued their children. Having children meant that God’s covenant still stood. Children mean that God was going to fulfill His promises. Children meant that the future of God’s people was assured. Motherhood was something to aspire to, and fatherhood was to be respected. So great was the desire for children that to not have children was considered a punishment. Neither the Israelites nor the early Christians practiced infant exposure. God’s people have always had a different approach to children and family life than whatever culture they found themselves living in.

This means that you are already a blessing just by existing. You are not a burden, a bother, or something that is in the way. You are a heritage from the Lord; you are a reward. You are an arrow in your parents’ quiver. You are the fulfillment of a promise. Your future as one of God’s people is assured. The promises that are for your parents are also for you. The death of Jesus on the cross was for your parents, and it was for you. Now, you are an arrow, but in the future, you may have your own quiver full of arrows, and the promises of God that are for you will be for your children. Now, you are a blessing, and in the future, you will be blessed. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In Christian homes, Lord, let them be Your blessing to their family; Let Christian schools Your work extend In living truth as You intend. (LSB 866:2)

-Rev. Grant Knepper, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church Modesto, California.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

In Embracing Your Lutheran Identity, Author Gene Edward Veith Jr. will guide readers through that heritage, starting with the Early Church and moving through the Reformation to Lutheranism today. Readers will learn about key people in the history of Lutheranism, from two teenagers who were the first martyrs of the Reformation, through the Saxon immigrants who left everything behind so they could practice Lutheranism freely, to the Lutherans who have stood strong for the faith in our own day.