This Sunday the congregation of Catalina Lutheran Church has had a wonderful opportunity to behold a genuine earthly vision of beautiful heavenly realities. Those occurred as God raised two little ones to new, blessed, eternal life through the water and Word of Holy Baptism.
That took place quite a bit before the day’s Gospel reading. Heavenly realities revealed on earth even preceded the congregation’s echoing the cry of the 10 lepers. That is: “Lord, have mercy.” …For more, click on the title above.
Category: Sermons
We are not pagans
There are five men in our text today. The lawyer, the man from Jerusalem, the good Samaritan, the priest, and the Levite, but only two of them speak. One speaks out of self-righteousness and the other speaks rightly. What we are called to learn from the text today is this: We are the man coming from Jerusalem. Jesus is the good Samaritan. And the thieves are our sins and iniquities. Further, if we attempt to justify ourselves, we become the priest and the Levite….For more, click on the title above
Martyrdom of St John the Baptizer
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‘O Lord, Open my lips…’ a beautiful prayer of the faith
Hear that which Jesus still says to cast off the bindings the ancient jailer of mankind had locked upon those whom God names with His Name: “!” [Ephphatha] (That is, be opened).
In the ancient Baptismal Rite, since before AD 1526, as the third of three exorcisms, a pastor was given to declare those words of Jesus over those whom God is preparing to baptize. Historically, the pastor then followed that command with a phrase like this, “But thou, devil, flee, for God’s judgment cometh speedily.” Then, having heard a blessing from the pastor, the candidate was, and still is, led through renouncing the devil, and all his works and ways. …For more, click on the title above.
St Bartholomew, Apostle
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The Pharisee and the publican
At first glance, it appears that there are many different religions in the world. In fact, I was watching the launch and 90-minute flight—3 of those experiencing weightlessness—of the Virgin Galactic the other day and one of the reporters said it was a spiritual…almost religious experience…one you, too, can have for $450,000.
But we already have Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism…the list goes on, and on, and on. What surprises most people is that, even when you just look at Christianity, there are more than 44,000 different denominations of Christianity in the world.
But, in fact, and you really need to hear this: there are only two religions—the right one, and all the rest. …for more, click on thr title above.
St Mary, Mother of Our Lord
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Jesus works in His temple to bring sight and peace
In our text today we hear Jesus’ reaction to Jerusalem after His entry, which the church celebrates on Palm Sunday. Jesus knew what He would find. These are not the words of a man who is shocked. Rather, these are the words of a father who is grieved by the state of his child. Jesus weeps over the city for two reasons: her blindness to the things of peace and the wickedness that she has been working in her blindness. These are tears of pity intermingled with his kindness for knows what must take place for her redemption. …For more, click on the title above.
Saint Laurence
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Jesus is the true merciful Master
The Gospel reading for today has long been thought of as being one of the difficult sayings of Jesus. At first hearing, it may seem to indicate that Jesus is teaching that good stewardship of God’s gifts should be done by whatever means may be expedient, even if they are not honest! If that were the point of the narrative, we could hear the sermon’s apostolic benediction and get on with receiving God’s gifts.
But God’s approval of dishonest stewardship to preserve one’s own standard of living is not the point of the text. …For more, click on the title above.