Category: Mid-Week
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Second Sunday in Lent
~ Reminiscere ~ Readings: Genesis 32:22-32 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 | Matthew 15:21-28 Text: Genesis 32:22-32 A few weeks ago, we heard the Parable of the Sower, where our Lord says: 13The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe…
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First Sunday in Lent
~ Invocabit ~ Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Father honored the Son. He didn’t just identify him as his Son when He spoke from heaven at His baptism. He claimed him. He called Him His beloved, expressing His love…
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Quinquagesima
(About 50 Days until Easter) Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: Luke 18:31-43 This text is sandwiched in between the Rich Young Ruler and Rich Zacchaeus (Luke 18:18-30; Luke 19:1-10). These provide a helpful juxtaposition to the announcement of Jesus’ suffering and His being recognized by the blind man.…
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Sexagesima
~ About Sixty Days until Easter ~ Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: Luke 8:4-15 Words are apt for misunderstanding. St. Paul’s sarcastic words in the last part of 2 Corinthians 11 could be misunderstood if you don’t understand the context and his intent. 18 Since many boast according to the…
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Septuagesima
~ About Seventy Days until Easter ~ Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 The dictionary defines “grace” as God’s undeserved favor, as “God’s forgiving mercy” and “Gifts freely bestowed by [Him].”[1] So, we sing praises of God’s grace in Christ. We name congregations after it and we sing…
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The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 20:22-40 Text: Matthew 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man…
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Fourth Sunday in Advent
~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Philippians 4:4-7 No doubt this week, we will be hearing the phrase, “Merry Christmas.” Take a moment to think about it: Is this a statement or a command? I mean, what should you do when there’s nothing to be merry about? When…
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Third Sunday in Advent
~ Gaudete ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 | Matthew 11:2-11 Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 It’s important to understand that Isaiah was not preaching at a time of peace in Israel. Not many chapters (chapters 36-37) before this, Isaiah has the job of announcing to the starving, besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem that the Assyrian…
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Second Sunday of Advent
~ Populus Zion ~ Readings: Malachi 4:1-6 | Romans 15:4-13 | Luke 21:25-36 Text: Luke 21:25-36 The return of Christ is utterly inconvenient. It ruins our plans for the future. It ruins all of our imagining that life will just continue as is has been. Most of all, it completely obliterates our delusion that we…
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First Sunday in Advent
~ Ad Te Levavi ~ Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8 | Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14 | Matthew 21:1-9 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 Christ, our Lord, is the promised King who reigns on the throne of David forever. So it is that, as He rode into the City of Peace to be executed as the King of the Jews,…