FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS:
O Father, it is indeed true that no one can be strong by his own power
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY
(I Sam. 2:4). How can we stand before your might if you do not yourself AFTER PENTECOST
strengthen and comfort us? Therefore, dear Father, embrace us,
accomplish your will in us, that we may be your kingdom to your praise
and glory. But, dear Father strengthen us in this life with your holy word.
Give us our daily bread. Establish in our hearts your dear Son Jesus
Christ, who is the true bread of heaven. Sustained by him, we may gladly
bear and suffer the breaking and the dying of our own will and the
fulfilling of your will. Give grace to all Christendom. Send us educated
pastors and preachers who will not give us the crumbs and chaff of
foolish fables, but who will teach us your holy Gospel and lead us to
Jesus Christ. Amen.
FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM:
The Apostles’ Creed:
The Second Article: On Redemption
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
What is this?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in
eternity, and also true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is
my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person. Lord God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds to
He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and your Holy Spirit that always keeping in mind until the
from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his end of all things and the day of judgment, we may be
holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. stirred up to holiness of life here and may live with you
He has done all this in order that I may belong to him in eternal forever in the world to come, through your Son,
righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen Jesus Christ our Lord.
from the dead and lives and rules in eternity. This is most
certainly true.
GOSPEL: Mark 13:1- 8
As (Jesus) came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts
him, “Lord, Teacher, what large stones and large buildings!” 2 Then sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with
Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without
be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider
3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting
temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,
4 “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
things are about to be accomplished?” 5 Then Jesus began to say to
them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
many name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.
7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering; for he is
must take place, but the end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise faithful who hath promised it.
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be Luther’s translation of Hebrews x.23.
earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the
beginning if the birth pangs.” Therefore take heed and let nothing on earth, however great,
nor even angels from heaven, drive you against your conscience away
2ND READING: Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 from that teaching which you know and esteem to be of God. St. Paul
says (Galations i.8): ‘But through an angel from heaven preach any
Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and
other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accused’.
again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when
You are not the first, nor the only one, nor will you be the last to be
Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ”He sat down
persecuted for the Word of God. Christ says (Matthew v.10.):
at the right hand of God.” 13 and since then has been waiting “until his
‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake’; again
enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.”14 For by a single
(Matthew xxiv.9) : ‘Ye shall be hated by all men for my name’s
offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [15 And
sake’; again (John xvi.2): ‘The time cometh that whoever killeth you
the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
will think that he doeth God service’. We must remember such
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
sayings and fortify ourselves with them, yes, we must give praise and
after those days, says the Lord:
thanks to God and beseech Him that we may be made worthy to
I will put my laws on their hearts,
suffer for His Word, Remember that it has been revealed that at the
and I will write them on their minds.”
time of the antichrist no man will be free to preach, and all who teach
17 he also adds,
and hear the Word of God will be deemed accursed. Thus it is now
“I will remember their sins and their lawless
and thus it has been for more than a hundred years.
deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any suffering
Instruction to those making confession-- W.A. 7. 295
for sin.]
on forbidden books, 1521.
19 Therefore my friends, since we have confidence to enter the
sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he Taken from the book: Day by Day We Magnify Thee
opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), by Martin Luther
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us Page 365
