Confident.Faith

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

Readings Psalm 18 Psalm 134 Zechariah 2:1—3:10 Romans 15:1–13 Large Catechism IV:68–86 Commemoration Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor. Like Timothy, St. Titus was a friend and coworker of St. Paul. Whereas it is not known if Titus accompanied Paul on his first and second missionary journeys, it is known that Titus accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey, along with Barnabas, to Jerusalem to bring aid during a famine. Likely after the trip to Jerusalem, Paul and Titus parted ways, with Titus staying in Crete and eventually working in Dalmatia and then, according to tradition, serving as bishop in Crete until his death in about AD 96.

Readings Psalm 6 Psalm 67 Zechariah 1:1–21 Romans 14:1–23 Large Catechism IV:56–67 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul. Originally a zealous persecutor of the Church, St. Paul (then Saul of Tarsus) met Christ on the road to Damascus. Blinded by a bright light, Saul heard the words “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” to which Saul replied “Who are You, Lord?” to which Christ replied “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.” Upon arriving in Damascus, Saul was sought by a disciple named Ananias, who had been sent by the Lord to heal Saul. Upon receiving his sight, Saul was baptized and went on to become the Apostle Paul, a man whom God called ‘a chosen instrument … to carry [Christ’s] name before the nations’.

Readings Psalm 131 Psalm 84 Joel 3:1–21 Romans 12:14—13:14 Large Catechism IV:47–55 Commemoration Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor. Best remembered as a companion of St. Paul, St. Timothy grew up in a Christian household. After meeting Paul on his (Paul’s) second missionary journey, Timothy accompanied Paul on further missionary journeys and was with Paul in Rome. According to tradition, Timothy was martyred in Ephesus around AD 97, where he served as bishop after Paul’s martyrdom in Rome.

Readings Isaiah 9:1–4 Psalm 27 1 Corinthians 1:10–18 Matthew 4:12–25

Readings Psalm 139 Psalm 81 Joel 2:18–32 Romans 11:25—12:13 Large Catechism IV:32–46

Readings Psalm 69 Psalm 121 Joel 2:1–17 Romans 11:1–24 Large Catechism IV:17–31

Readings Psalm 20 Psalm 13 Joel 1:1–20 Romans 10:1–21 Large Catechism IV:1–16

Readings Psalm 117 Psalm 97 Ezekiel 47:1–23 Romans 9:19–33 Large Catechism III:112–124 Commemoration Today we commemorate Sarah. Wife (and half-sister) of the patriarch Abraham, Sarah followed Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans on his journey to Canaan. Childless until old age, Sarah was eventually blessed with a son — Isaac — who would become the second of the three major patriarchs of OT Israel, and carry on the line of the promised Messiah. Sarah is remembered for her faithfulness and her hospitality. She was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, the same cave where Abraham would also later be buried.

Readings Psalm 15 Psalm 126 Ezekiel 44:1–29 Romans 9:1–18 Large Catechism III:99–111

Readings Psalm 44 Psalm 124 Ezekiel 40:1–4; 41:1–12 Romans 8:18–39 Large Catechism III:85–98 Festival Today we celebrate the Festival of The Confession of St. Peter. In response to Christ’s challenge: “But who do you say that I am?”, Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This — Peter’s confession — is the rock upon which the Church is built. As Christ makes clear, it is not “flesh and blood [that] [reveals]” this truth, but “[the] Father Who is in Heaven”. Here in Matthew, and elsewhere in the NT, Christ makes clear that He gives the Keys to the entire Church, not to Peter alone, and with the Keys the power to bind and to loose: “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” As the Smalcald Articles state: The Keys are an office and power given by Christ to the Church for binding and loosing sin. This applies not only to gross and well-known sins, but also the subtle, hidden sins that are known only to God. As it is written, “Who can discern his errors?” (Psalm 19:12). It is truly this confession of Peter — that Christ is the Son of the living God — upon which the Church is founded, with Christ as cornerstone.

Readings Psalm 76 Psalm 137 Ezekiel 39:1–29 Romans 7:21—8:17 Large Catechism III:71–84

Readings Psalm 36 Psalm 54 Ezekiel 38:1–23 Romans 7:1–20 Large Catechism III:59–70

Readings Isaiah 49:1–7 Psalm 40:1–11 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 John 1:29–42a

Readings Psalm 29 Ezekiel 37:15–28 Romans 6:1–23 Large Catechism III:49–58

Readings Psalm 104 Psalm 79 Ezekiel 36:33—37:14 Romans 5:1–21 Large Catechism III:35–48

Readings Psalm 32 Psalm 51 Ezekiel 36:13–28 Romans 4:1–25 Large Catechism III:25–34

Readings Psalm 63 Psalm 59 Ezekiel 34:1–24 Romans 3:19–31 Large Catechism III:14–24

Readings Psalm 7 Psalm 14 Ezekiel 33:1–20 Romans 3:1–18 Large Catechism III:1–13 Festival Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. As recounted in the third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew (and in parallel passages in Mark, Luke, and John), Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Although John initially hesitated when asked to baptize Christ, because Christ was without sin and John knew he was in the presence of One greater than he, Christ spoke His first words in Matthew so that John would agree: “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” On Christ’s Baptism, Luther said: “[Christ] accepted it from John for the reason that He was entering into our stead, indeed, our person, that is, becoming a sinner for us, taking upon Himself the sins which He had not committed, and wiping them out and drowning them in His Holy Baptism.” This Baptism in the Jordan River marked the beginning of Christ’s ministry.

Readings Psalm 85 Psalm 58 Ezekiel 18:1–32 Romans 2:17–29 Large Catechism II:63–70 Commemoration Today we commemorate Basil the Great of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa, Pastors and Confessors. Collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil and the two Gregorys were leaders of the Christian Church in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) in the fourth century. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa were brothers, and Gregory of Nazianzus was their friend. All three men were influential in shaping the theology ratified by the Council of Constantinople, which would later be enshrined in the Nicene Creed.

Readings Isaiah 42:1–9 Psalm 29 Romans 6:1–11 Matthew 3:13–17

Readings Psalm 62 Psalm 32 Ezekiel 3:12–27 Romans 2:1–16 Large Catechism II:55–62

Readings Psalm 19 Psalm 100 Ezekiel 2:1—3:11 Romans 1:18–32 Large Catechism II:47–54

Readings Psalm 46 Psalm 45 Ezekiel 1:1–28 Romans 1:1–17 Large Catechism II:34–46

Readings Psalm 45 Psalm 72 Isaiah 66:1–20 Luke 3:21–38 Large Catechism II:25–33 Festival Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord. Although the feast of Epiphany commemorates no particular, concrete event, it is one of the most important days in the liturgical calendar — one of the principal feasts. On Epiphany, we remember that the God who became man in Bethlehem — that the Babe in the manger — needed present no proof that He was true man, but that He did indeed need to prove that He was true God. He did this superabundantly with the manifestations of the Trinity and the signs, wonders, and miracles that dot the pages of the New Testament record. In the Western Church tradition, Epiphany has become associated with the visit of the Magi, and this is fitting, for the Magi represent all the nations that were brought into the New Covenant through Christ — the true epiphany being the revelation of Christ as Lord, God, Savior, and King.

Readings Psalm 37 Psalm 10 Isaiah 65:8–25 Luke 3:1–20 Large Catechism II:9–24

Readings Isaiah 60:1–6 Psalm 72:1–15 Ephesians 3:1–12 Matthew 2:1–12

Readings Psalm 40 Psalm 65 Isaiah 63:15—65:7 Luke 2:41–52 Large Catechism II:1–8

Readings Psalm 108 Psalm 110 Isaiah 63:1–14 Luke 2:21–40 Large Catechism I:324–333