Confident.Faith

Readings Psalm 79 Psalm 42 Psalm 102 Genesis 4:1–26 Mark 2:18–28 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration I:1–4

Readings Psalm 12 Psalm 14 Psalm 51 Genesis 3:1–24 Mark 2:1–17 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 14–20

Numbers 14–15 Israel Refuses the Good Land; God Condemns Israel to Die in the Wilderness; Israel Defeated in Battle; Laws for Sacrifices; Laws for Unintentional Sins

Readings Psalm 9 Psalm 38 Genesis 2:4–25 Mark 1:29–45 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 9–13

Readings Genesis 3:1–21 Psalm 32:1–7 Romans 5:12–19 Matthew 4:1–11

Numbers 11–13 The Manna; the Elders of Israel; the Quail and the Plague

Readings Psalm 8 Psalm 128 Psalm 32 Genesis 1:20—2:3 Mark 1:14–28 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm, 1–8

Numbers 8–10 The Lampstand; Purification of and Rules for the Levites; the Pascha; the Cloud and the Fire; the Trumpets

Readings Psalm 136 Psalm 90 Psalm 6 Genesis 1:1–19 Mark 1:1–13 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Introduction Observation Today we observe Ash Wednesday. During the forty days of Lent, the baptized children of God cleanse their hearts through repentance, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the like. During Lent, we prepare our hearts for the Paschal Feast — Easter. Traditional Christian denominations will hold services that include the imposition of ashes. The ashes remind us of the wages of sin, of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and of our mortality: “[F]or dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Commemoration Today we commemorate Martin Luther, Doctor and Confessor. Born on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Germany, Martin Luther originally studied law. After a close brush with death during a storm, Luther switched to studying theology and entered an Augustinian monastery in 1505, when he was twenty-one years old. Luther received his doctorate in theology in 1512. Teaching at the newly established University of Wittenberg, Luther began to question some of the doctrines of Rome. Luther’s investigation of the Scriptures and of Roman doctrine led to the posting of the “Ninety-Five Theses” on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg — the spark that started the Reformation.

Numbers 5–7 Law for Unclean Diseases; Law of Jealousy; Law of Vows; Priestly Blessing; Dedication of the Altar

Readings Psalm 37 Psalm 77 Job 13:1–12 John 6:1–21 Smalcald Articles III:IX–XIII

Numbers 3–4 The Duties of the Levites; the Ransom of the Levites; Assignments for the Tent

Readings Joel 2:12–19 Psalm 51:1–19 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10 Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

Readings Psalm 57 Psalm 1 Job 11:1–20 John 5:19–29 Smalcald Articles III:IV–VII Commemoration Today we commemorate Philemon and Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave, owned by Philemon, who ran away from his master. Somehow, Onesimus came into contact with Paul while Paul was in prison. At the urging of Paul, and with an accompanying letter, Onesimus returned to his master. In his letter, Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus as a beloved brother, instead of as a runaway slave, as one might expect; however, Paul also, notably, did not command or ask Philemon to free Onesimus.

Readings Psalm 119:153–160 Psalm 35 Job 10:1–22 John 5:1–18 Smalcald Articles III:III:29–45 Commemoration Today we commemorate Valentine, Martyr. Executed under Emperor Claudius on account of his refusal to renounce the Christian faith, Valentine has long been remembered in the Western Church as an example for all Christians. Today, Valentine’s Day continues to celebrate Valentine, and the tradition of exchanging written expressions of love derives from a note with words of encouragement that Valentine wrote for one of the children of his jailer. Even the irregularity of the shape of the piece of paper on which Valentine wrote his note has carried forward, after a fashion, into modern commemorations on Valentine’s Day.

Leviticus 27 — Numbers 2 Laws for Vows; Enrollment of Israel; Camp Arrangement of Israel

Readings Psalm 95 Psalm 70 Job 9:1–35 John 4:46–54 Smalcald Articles III:III:20–28

Readings Exodus 24:8–18 Psalm 2:6–12 2 Peter 1:16–21 Matthew 17:1–9

Leviticus 24–26 Law for Blasphemy; Lex Talionis; Laws for Servants and Slaves; Blessings and Curses

Readings Psalm 71 Psalm 99 Job 8:1–22 John 4:27–45 Smalcald Articles III:III:10–19

Leviticus 21–23 Laws for Priests; Laws for Festivals

Readings Psalm 147 Job 7:1–21 John 4:7–26 Smalcald Articles III:III:1–9

Leviticus 18–20 Laws for Marriage; Miscellaneous Laws; Purity Laws

Readings Psalm 38 Job 6:14–30 John 3:22—4:6 Smalcald Articles III:I–II Commemoration Today we commemorate Silas, Fellow Worker of St. Peter and St. Paul. A leader in the Church at Jerusalem, Silas was chosen by Paul to accompany him on his second missionary journey. Imprisoned with Paul in Philippi, Silas also experienced the rioting in Thessalonica and Berea. Tradition holds that Silas was the first Bishop of Corinth.

Leviticus 15–17 Laws for Personal Cleanness; the Scapegoat; Laws for Blood

Readings Psalm 23 Psalm 87 Job 6:1–13 John 3:1–21 Smalcald Articles II:IV:10–16

Readings Psalm 69 Psalm 122 Job 5:1–27 John 2:13–25 Smalcald Articles II:IV:1–9

Readings Psalm 4 Psalm 18 Job 4:1–21 John 2:1–12 Smalcald Articles II:II:25–29, II:III

Leviticus 13–14 Laws for Disease; Laws for Leprous Diseases

Readings Isaiah 58:3–9a Psalm 112:1–9 1 Corinthians 2:1–16 Matthew 5:13–20

Readings Psalm 77 Psalm 74 Job 3:11–26 John 1:35–51 Smalcald Articles II:II:11–24

Leviticus 9–12 Offerings for Aaron, His Sons, and the Congregation; Death of Nadab and Abihu; Clean and Unclean Animals; Purification of Women after Childbirth

Readings Psalm 31 Psalm 88 Job 2:1—3:10 John 1:19–34 Smalcald Articles II:II:1–10 Commemoration Today we commemorate Jacob, Patriarch of OT Israel. Born the younger of Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons, Jacob was the third of the patriarchs of OT Israel. After wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob (whose name means ‘deceiver’) was renamed to Israel (which means ‘he strives with God’). Jacob lived a life of strife and trouble, due in no small part to his own deceptions toward his brother and father. The deceptive nature of Jacob would carry on to his sons, who would sell their brother Joseph into slavery and lie to their father. By the grace of God, Joseph became prominent in Egypt and was reunited with Jacob, who then died in Egypt after blessing and prophesying about his sons.

Leviticus 6–8 Sin Offerings; Ordination of Aaron and His Sons

Readings Psalm 127 Psalm 128 Job 1:1–22 John 1:1–18 Smalcald Articles I, II:I

Leviticus 1–5 Laws for Sacrifices

Readings Psalm 47 Psalm 135 Zechariah 14:1–21 Titus 2:7—3:15 Smalcald Articles, Preface: 8–15

Exodus 37–40 Preparing the Tent Materials; Moses Sets Up the Tent

Readings Psalm 75 Psalm 104 Zechariah 12:1—13:9 Titus 1:1—2:6 Smalcald Articles, Preface:1–7 Feast Today we celebrate the Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. Thirty-two days after Jesus was circumcised, He comes to the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the OT law. In offering the alternative sacrifice (two turtledoves or two pigeons instead of a lamb), Joseph and Mary reveal their humble circumstances. In his Nunc Dimmitis, Simeon announces the inauguration of God’s consolation and redemption in and through Christ, and also prophesies concerning the destiny of Jesus.

Readings Psalm 28 Psalm 48 Zechariah 11:4–17 2 Timothy 4:1–18 Large Catechism V:75–87

Readings Psalm 135 Psalm 68 Zechariah 10:1—11:3 2 Timothy 3:1–17 Large Catechism V:58–74

Exodus 34–36 The Stone Tables (Second); Work Begins on the Tent

Readings Psalm 33 Zechariah 9:1–17 2 Timothy 2:1–26 Large Catechism V:42–57

Readings Micah 6:1–8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Matthew 5:1–12

Exodus 30–33 The Incense Altar; Temple Tax; the Golden Calf; Levites Slaughter Idolators; Tent of Witness

Readings Psalm 107 Zechariah 8:1–23 2 Timothy 1:1–18 Large Catechism V:31–41

Exodus 27–29 Instructions for the Tent; the Priestly Garments; Consecration Ritual

Readings Psalm 12 Psalm 133 Zechariah 6:1—7:14 Romans 16:17–27 Large Catechism V:15–30

Exodus 23–26 Various Laws and Promises; Moses Receives the Law; the Ark of Witness; the Pattern for the Tent

Readings Psalm 1 Psalm 109 Zechariah 4:1—5:11 Romans 15:14–33 Large Catechism V:1–14 Commemoration Today we commemorate John Chrysostom, Preacher. Born around AD 347, St. John was instructed in the Christian faith by his mother, Anthusa. After holding a number of lesser offices, John became patriarch of Constantinople in AD 398. John was given the added name “Chrysostom”, which means ‘golden-mouthed’ in Greek, for his simple, but direct, messages that were beloved by all who heard them. Eventually exiled from Constantinople, after coming into conflict with the local authorities due to his determination to reform the church, the court, and the city, John continued to preach and write right up until his death in AD 407. His reported last words were “Glory be to God for all things! Amen.”