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

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

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

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.

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

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

Readings Psalm 91 Psalm 119:1–8 Job 12:1–25 John 5:30–47 Smalcald Articles III:VIII

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.