Tag: Vicar Hartman

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.

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.

The reading today starts with a simple description of Jesus’ movements. It’s easy to pay little attention to these types of details. But the journey that Jesus is on needs more attention and is one of three interesting things happening in this short reading.
First, Jesus is making a long journey back to Israelite territory as He is continually moving away from the gathering crowds of people. Second, Jesus is instructing the people to not tell others about these miracles He’s performing. And the third point of interest that might draw the most attention, Jesus sighs or rather He groans, before He performs His healing act…. For more, click on the title above