We thank God for the loyalty and ministry of St. Michael

St. Michael’s Victory over the Devil (Detail) by Sir Jacob Epstein St Michael's Cathedral, Coventry, Warwickshire, England

We don’t pray to the angels. We don’t even pray for them.
Rather, we pray with them to the One who has created us, redeemed us, and sanctified us.
We pray to Him who sent St. Michael into battle, and who also sends us.

Made Worthy

Illustrator of Petrus Comestor's 'Bible Historiale', France, Healing of the Man with Dropsy, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, 1372
Sermon for the 17th Wednesday after Trinity

And so, our dilemma is that we are unworthy——-and yet are bidden – even ordered – to be
here at the “wedding feast,” at the banquet over which One who is greater than Solomon
presides.

The Sabbath rest that gives you peace

Illustrator of Petrus Comestor's 'Bible Historiale', France, Healing of the Man with Dropsy, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, 1372

What is the Third Commandment? Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does this mean? Does it mean that we have to go to church every Sunday? It means that we get to go to church. Does it mean that we keep the day holy because we show up to church instead of sleeping in, working, or watching football? It means we’re free to go to church and receive the gifts of Word and Sacrament. …For more, click on the title above.

Christ intercedes between life and death

Raising the Son of the Widow of Nain German Hitda Codex, c. 1020

Just last week you were reminded of God’s proclaimed Divine Law that moves you to sorrow over your sins. But you might not always be moved to such heart-wrenching sorrow when you sin. You might fail to recognize your sin or even know you are sinning. You are actually so steeped in sin, and it is so much a part of your everyday life, that it can easily be brushed off and not realized for what it truly is….For more, click on the title above.

Bear one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ

Consider the Lilies of the Field by Candace Thurber Wheeler

The Holy Spirit, through God’s divine plan, continues to use the proclaimed Word, in its several forms, to help, us—that is, all people who would be faithful to God’s Word—to press down our Old Adams. He does that through our hearing God’s proclaimed Law. That reveals to us our sins and sinful natures. The Divine Law moves us to sorrow over our sins. We experience that because we fear the conviction, condemnation, and killing that comes from hearing that, apart from Him, we would remain under God’s holy wrath. That moves us to will ourselves to turn from our sins….For more, click on the title above.

The works of the Spirit: Antidote to worry

Fruit of The Spirit by Liyin Yeo

Today’s reading also fits nicely within the sanctification theme that is heard, in faithful congregations such as this one, each year during Laurencetide. In the text are descriptions of those things which are desired by every person’s sinful nature. They are set against the things that are the fruits the Holy Spirit produces in the new nature God gives to the faithful….For more, click on the title above.