John 10:22-30 On Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus is indeed our “Good Shepherd,” and that we are his sheep. Since we are his sheep, he watches over us and protects us. He leads us to green pastures and still waters. He guides us to places of peace and safety. These “pastoral” images…
EXORDIUM Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! It was said by a certain president of our country many years ago, that the landing of astronauts on the moon in 1969 was the greatest event in human history. He was wrong. What we celebrate today was the greatest event in human history. The sad reality…
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! We believe that Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross for our sins, that he was buried, and that, on the third day, he rose bodily from the grave. This is a part of what we confess in the Nicene Creed, almost in these exact words. But why…
John 19:31-37 The most common cause of death for a victim of a Roman crucifixion was not the effusion of blood, but was a form of suffocation. Because of the way in which the arms of the victim were outstretched, fluid would begin to build up in his lungs. After a while, then, in order…
The institution of the Lord’s Supper by our Savior Jesus Christ, on the night in which he was betrayed, is recorded in three of the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, and Luke – and in St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians. But in these four inspired accounts, the descriptions of exactly what Jesus said are…
Matthew 27:15-26 Barabbas is described in today’s text from St. Matthew, as a “notorious” criminal. St. Mark’s Gospel adds the detail that he was an insurrectionist and a murderer. And St. John’s Gospel tells us that he was a robber. It’s easy to see why he was notorious. As an insurrectionist, he was a flagrant…
Zephaniah 1:7-11, 14-16 Please listen with me to a reading from the first chapter of the Prophet Zephaniah, beginning at the seventh verse: “Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. And it…
Isaiah 66:10-13 Please listen with me to a reading from the 66th chapter of the Prophet Isaiah, beginning at the 10th verse, which was the versicle in today’s Psalmody: “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; that you…
Mark 1:21-28 Please listen with me to a reading from the 1st chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, beginning at the 21st verse: Then [Jesus and his disciples] went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them…