Reflections

December 29, 2023    Today's Reading: Luther's Catechism , 2nd Commandment  Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 55:1-13 ; Luke 1:1-25 You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. (Luther’s Small Catechism; Seco...

December 28, 2023    Today's Reading: Matthew 2:13-18 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 52:13-54:10 ; Matthew 2:13-23 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Fourth Day of Christmas! “The Boy who lived.”  In the Harry Potter novels, that is a phrase...

December 27, 2023    Today's Reading: John 21:20-25 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 51:17-52:12 ; Matthew 2:1-12 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Merry Third Day of Christmas! Happy Feast of St. John!  John is one of the Twelve.  Apostle.  Evangelist.  The o...

December 26, 2023    Today's Reading: Matthew 23:34-39 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:22-26; 50:4-51:8, 12-16 ; Matthew 1:18-25 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:39) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Second Day of Christmas!  Today is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr after Jesus’ resurrection, stoned t...

December 25, 2023    Today's Reading: John 1.1-14 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 49:1-18 ; Matthew 1:1-17 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son  from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Christmas just doesn't work out for me. Never has.”  That is the punch-you-in-the-gut moment as you get to know Bil...

December 24, 2023    Today's Reading: Luke 2.1-20 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 44:21-45:13, 20-25 ; Revelation 12:1-17 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.   And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Where do we find Him?  The shepherds are tremend...

December 23, 2023   Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 4 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:25-44:20 ; Revelations 11:1-19 In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. (Psalm 19:5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. The words of Ps...

December 22, 2023    Today's Reading:  Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-24 ; Revelations 9:13--10:11 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Israelites in exile endured each day, and longed for when God would deliver them. God did not abandon them, or le...

December 21, 2023    Today's Reading: John 20.24-29 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-25 ; Revelations 9:1-12 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Thomas was faithful to his Lord in the end. Now, doubting Thomas really isn’t the best construction to put on...

December 20, 2023   Today's Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism, 1st commandment Daily Lectionary:   Isaiah 40:18-41:10 ; Revelations 8:1-13 You shall have no other gods. (Exodus 20:3) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  What even is an idol? We’re not exactly making golden calves or selling statues of foreign deities anymore. Dr. Luther is helpful to us in understanding the totality of the first command...

December 19, 2023   Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17 ; Revelations 7:1-17 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. That’s right, Paul is talking about Advent, the coming of our Lord Jesus...

December 18, 2023   Today's Reading: Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10 ; Revelations 6:1-17 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her...

December 17, 2023   Today's Reading: John 1.6-8, 19-28 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 33:1-24 ; Revelations 5:1-14 He [John] was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. (John 1:8) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. John the apostle gets right to work with John the Baptist in our reading today. There’s no annunciation by an angel, no mute Zechariah, no leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. John the pr...

December 16, 2023   Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 3 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 32:1-20 ; Revelations 4:1-11 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s easier for me to imagine the saving face of God that saves us as something brighter than the sun.  Transfigurations are always appealing, even to those who know better than to try to build ta...

December 15, 2023   Today's Reading: Revelations 3:1-22 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30:27-31:9 ; Revelations. 3:1-22 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3:1) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. From the whitewashed tombs of the Pharis...

December 14, 2023   Today's Reading: Luther’s Small Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar , question 4 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 30:15-26 ; Revelations 2:1-29 Who receives this sacrament worthily?  Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” But a...

December 13, 2023  Today's Reading: Revelations 1:1-20 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29:15-30:14 ; Revelations 1:1-20 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne. (Revelation 1:4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The more exciting you try to make the book of Revelation, the more bor...

December 12, 2023  Today's Reading: 2 Peter 3.8-14 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 29:1-14 ; Jude 1-25 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  The heavens will pass away with a...

December 11, 2023  Today's Reading: Isaiah 40.1-11 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:14--25:12 ; 1 John 2:15-29 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. (Isaiah 40:7) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. I actually prefer the fake Christmas trees to the real ones.  It’s not the mess or the cost. It’s actually Isaiah. “All flesh is grass. The gras...

December 10, 2023  Today's Reading: Mark 1.1-8 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:20-27:13 ; 1 John 4:1-21 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ starts with John, not Jesus. No Christmas joy. No angel choir. No kids in bathrobes pretending to be sh...

December 9, 2023  Today's Reading: Psalm 80:1, 8a, 9b, 7; antiphon: v. 3 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:1-19 ; 1 John 3:1-24 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Psalm 80:3) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  God delights in the prayers of His people.  He loves for us to call upon His name.  If we are honest, it seems like we usually pray only when we are in desperate need.  Whe...

December 8, 2023  Today's Reading:  Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:14-25:12 ; 1 John 2:15-29 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Nothing lasts forever.  That’s certainly the way it seems to be in this world we live in.  You purchase a new smartphone and after a year or two, you need a new on...

December 7, 2023  Today's Reading: Sacrament of the Altar, Question 3 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 24:1-13 ; 1 John 1:1-2:14 “…Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27–28 ) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What do you see?  A piece of bread, maybe a wafer?  A little wine?  What do you hear?  “This is my body…t...

December 6, 2023  Today's Reading:  Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 14.1-23 ; 2 Peter 3.1-18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 )  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.  Grow in grace and grow in knowledge. These are both gifts from God who wants to have a relationship with you.  It is God’s desire...

December 5, 2023  Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 11:1-12:6 ; 2 Peter 2:1-22 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 1:4) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The season of Advent, these days leading up to Christmas, is full of anticipation.  We are invited to wait, as Israel did, for that shoot to...