Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Introit: Ps. 27:1a, 11-12, 14; Ps. 27:7, 9
Gradual: Ps. 84:9, 8
Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:11-21
Psalm 16 (antiphon, v. 11)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 1:18-25
      or 1 Peter 3:8-15
ProperVerse: Ps. 21:1
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

Jesus Makes Fishers of Men
The Lord called fishermen to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11). The net they would use is the message of the cross, which is foolishness and a stumbling block to the world (1 Cor. 1:18-25). The power of God to save is not in spectacular signs like wind and fire and earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11-21), nor is it to be found in human intelligence and wisdom. The power of God to save comes in the still, small voice of the preaching of Christ crucified. In worldly darkness the disciples could catch nothing. But in the light of Christ, whose Word was attached to the water, the boats were filled with fish. So it is that in Baptism you have been drawn in to the ship of the Church. Though the nets are breaking and some who hear the Word do not believe, pastors continue to cast the net of the Gospel and the Sacraments, that Christians may abide in the boat of the Church and that we may be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:8-15).

Elijah and the prophets of Baal 

What God intends for marriage continued 

Introit: Ps. 27:3-4a, 5; antiphon: Ps. 27:1-2
Gradual: Ps. 79:9-10a
Old Testament: Gen. 50:15-21
Psalm 138 (antiphon: v. 8b)
Epistle: Rom. 12:14-21
      or Rom. 8:18-23
ProperVerse: Ps. 9:4b, 9
Gospel: Luke 6:36-42

Christ's Mercy Is Ours to Show to Others
"Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36-42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" (Rom. 12:14-21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15-21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father-being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:8-13).

1 Kings 17

What God intends for marriage 

Introit: Ps. 25:1-2a, 5b, 15, 20; antiphon: Ps. 25:16, 18\rGradual: Ps. 55:22a, 16, 18a
Old Testament: Micah 7:18-20
Psalm 103:1-13 (antiphon: v. 8)
Epistle: 1 Tim. 1:12-17
      or 1 Peter 5:6-11\rProperVerse: Ps. 18:1-2a
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
      or Luke 15:11-32\r
Jesus Receives Sinners
"This man receives sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees' statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18-20). "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11-32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father's house. Let us therefore be on guard against self-righteously trusting in our own merits. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.

1 Kings 17

What is Marriage? 

Introit: Ps. 18:1-2a, 27, 30a, 49; antiphon: Ps. 18:18-19\rGradual: Ps. 120:1-2
Old Testament: Prov. 9:1-10 
Psalm 34:12-22 (antiphon: v. 11)
Epistle: Eph. 2:13-22
       or 1 John 3:13-18
ProperVerse: Ps. 7:17
Gospel: Luke 14:15-24

The Gospel Call Goes Out to All\rWisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight" (Prov. 9:5-6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master's house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15-24). For "you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13-22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13-18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end.