Reflections

November 19, 2025

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 38:1-28

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 38:1-28; Jeremiah 39:1-44:30; Matthew 27:57-66

“So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.” (Jeremiah 38:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Put yourself in Jeremiah’s shoes. Wait, maybe don’t do that. Jeremiah is standing in mud. At the bottom of a cistern. Waiting to die. <...

November 18, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:(1-5) 6-13

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 37:1-21; Revelation 17:1-18; Matthew 27:33-56

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. … For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians 3: 6, 11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“I...

November 17, 2025

Today's Reading: Malachi 4:1-6

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 33:1-22; Jeremiah 34:1-36:32; 45:1-51:64; Matthew 27:11-32

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 4:5-6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The prophet Malachi promises an Elijah. But what was Israel’s problem that they needed an Elijah? 

Isr...

November 16, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 21:5-28 (29-36)

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 31:1-17, 23-34; Revelation 16:1-21; Matthew 27:1-10

“[Jesus said,] ‘And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,  people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to ta...

November 15, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 23 - Psalm 121:1-2, 5, 7-8; antiphon: Luke 21:33

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 30:1-24; Revelation 15:1-8; Matthew 26:57-75

“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.” (Psalm 121:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“The Lord is your keeper.” Wow! Now that’s a promise to grab onto. Not just any lord, but The Lord is your keeper, and his keeping covers your entire life, past, present, and future. 

If we’re honest, we often go through the day totally unaware of ho...

November 14, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 26:36-56

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 29:1-19; Revelation 14:1-20; Matthew 26:36-56

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?’” (Matthew 26:53-54) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus is praying, the disciples are sleeping, and Judas is coming, leading a great crowd carrying clubs and swords. It’s happening; the hour is at hand. It feels like a climactic scene fro...

November 13, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Parents

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 26:1-19; Revelation 13:1-18; Matthew 26:20-35

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Thank God for our parents. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. It pleased God to continue his work of creation by giving you life through a mom and a dad. God continues to care, provide, and protect us through the parents he gives us. Th...

November 12, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 26:1-19

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 25:1-18; Matthew 26:1-19

“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The hour has come; the time is at hand. The Son of Man is hours away from his cross. Jesus knew this, yet his disciples refused to believe it. The Scriptures pointed to this, and this is the reason Jesus was born: to die that he might save his peop...

November 11, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, 13-17

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:21-40; Matthew 25:31-46

“To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God has made a decision for you. Do you realize that? God has made a choice for you and has called you to Himself. Do you slow down to stop and take time to think about that? You are a miracle of God’s divine grace. God came to you throug...

November 10, 2025

Today's Reading: Exodus 3:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 23:1-20; Matthew 25:14-30

“God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:15a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We have a God who hears us; he never plugs his ears to our cries for help. We have a God who remembers; he never forgets but is faithful to keep his promises. We have a...

November 9, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 20:27-40

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 22:1-23; Matthew 25:1-13

“Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” (Luke 20:38)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Dead men don’t rise. That’s what common sense will tell you. Dead is dead! That’s what the Sadducees would have told you. Even though they were a Jewish sect, they did not believe in the afterlife and certainly not in the resurrection of the dead. As a matter of fact, they limited th...

November 8, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 22 - Psalm 115:2-4, 8, 17-18; antiphon: Psalm 115:11

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 20:1-18; Matthew 24:29-51

“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. “ (Psalm 115:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Stop! Don’t do it!” Wouldn’t you scream those words if someone you cared about was about to make a bad decision that you know they would regret later? Wouldn’t it pain you to watch a person choose to believe a lie and then act on it, if you abs...

November 7, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 24:1-28

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 11:1-23; Jeremiah 12:1-19:15; Matthew 24:1-28

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

One of the perks of being a disciple was that you could ask Jesus questions when you had some alone time with him. Jesus was sitting down on the Mount of Olives, which provided the opportunity for his disciples to ask a burning question about the end of the age and the sign of his return. Jesus tells of s...

November 6, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Wives

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 8:18-9:12; Matthew 23:13-39

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s gifts come in all sorts of packages. Think about Adam; the first gift God gave him was the gift of life. Adam was then given a garden to take care of, and from it, he received the gift of daily food. But then God gave Adam a very special gift fit just for him—a wife. Go...

November 5, 2025

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 7:1-29

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 7:1-29; Matthew 23:1-12

“So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you.” (Jeremiah 7:27)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God called Jeremiah to speak some hard words to hardened hearts. God was persistent. He kept sending His messengers to His people, yet they did not listen. God called them to repentance, and they did not answer Him. Instead, they followed their own plans; they...

November 4, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 (6-10) 11-12

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 5:1-19; Matthew 22:23-46

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Paul was persistent. He was a man on a mission, literally, and his mission plan was simple: go into a city and find a synagogue, open up the Scriptures, and preach Christ from them. Some would beli...

November 3, 2025

Today's Reading: Isaiah 1:10-18

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Matthew 22:1-22

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever put on clothes thinking they were clean only to find out they are not? What about getting dressed up in your nicest clothes for a special occasion, looking in the mirror, and then, to your comp...

November 2, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 19:1-10

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 21:23-46

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For whatever reason, Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus. And in an ironic turn of events, it is actually Jesus who seeks after Zacchaeus. He spots him up a Sycamore tree and calls out, “Hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” Jesus was going to have church with Zacchaeus. He joyfully received...

November 1, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Imagine the disciples and the huge crowd gathered around Jesus for the Sermon on the Mount. They nod to each of the Beatitudes, maybe with a little less boldness as Jesus continues. Perhaps they even look around to see how the other 11 are reacting. “Maybe I’m not perfect, but I’ve been pretty good at this one or that.” “I think I’m goo...

October 31, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:12-19

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Matthew 20:17-34

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence” (Matthew 11:12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Lord, I thank you that I am not like other church bodies: Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, the Baptists…” Sound familiar? Just a few days ago, we heard Jesus tell us about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The sinful pride of the Pharisee clouded his thoughts on all things spiritual, and he ended up thinking...

October 30, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 21 - Psalm 50:1-2, 14-15; antiphon: Psalm 50:23

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:30-32:27; Matthew 20:1-16

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; the one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

You know our situation. As human beings, we are conceived and born sinful; there is no good in us to do anything right. None of us could ever offer thanksgiving that is perfect in God’s eyes. No one could sacrifi...

October 29, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30

“No one came to stand by me, but all deserted me… But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.” (2 Timothy 4:16,17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Even St. Paul felt isolated at times. While standing in court, defending the faith, where were his friends, other pastors, and Christians whom the Holy Spirit brought to faith through his preaching? Anyone who could have been supporting was scattered like th...

October 28, 2025

Today's Reading: John 15:(12-16) 17-21

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Matthew 19:1-15

“I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:19)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

As we remember the Apostles of our Lord throughout the year, we might feel sorry for a few of them. Poor Simon “the Zealot” and Jude (a.k.a. Judas, or Thaddeus). They are some of the more obscure of Jesus’ disciples. They definitely don’t get the attention of Peter, James, and John. They don’t even get the word count for Saint Andrew or...

October 27, 2025

Today's Reading: Genesis 4:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 29:1-29; Matthew 18:21-35

“And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.” (Genesis 4:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)  Even after his heinous act is done, Cain does not appear repentant at all. He has committed the first murder and shrugs it off. “Not my problem.” 

What is behind all of this? Jealou...

October 26, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 18:9-17

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 28:1-22; Matthew 18:1-20

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.” (Luke 18:13-14a)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

“Great sermon, Pastor, THEY really needed to hear that!” When your pastor hears something like that, his heart sinks, and he knows he did not communicate well. No one...

October 25, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 20 - Psalm 56:10-13; antiphon: Psalm 56:3

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Matthew 17:14-27

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of...

October 24, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - To Husbands

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 25:17-26:19; Matthew 17:1-13

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7) Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Col. 3:19)” (Catechism, Table of Duties)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Who would’ve guessed that our Lord’s first Gift to mankin...

October 23, 2025 

Today's Reading: Matthew 13:54-58

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28

“And coming to his hometown [Jesus] taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’” (Matthew 13:54-58) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

The fact of...

October 22, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 16:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; Deuteronomy 22:1-24:9; Matthew 16:1-12

“[Jesus said,] ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Your warning: “Beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees!” Good. But what’s that? The Pharisees and Sadducees are different from one another, far different. You will hear the Pharisees as yo...

October 21, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Matthew 15:21-39

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to th...

October 20, 2025

Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-30

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 19:1-20; Matthew 15:1-20

“A man wrestled with [Jacob] until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the day has broken.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” (Genesis 32:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

We start out thinking about what God wants us to d...

October 19, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 18:1-8

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 18:1-22; Matthew 14:22-36

“[Jesus said,] ‘Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth?’” (Luke 18:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Jesus is giving you the Gift of prayer by presenting to you a judge who is so ridiculously bad that no reasonable person would waste time asking a favor of this judge. This judge neither fears God nor respects any man. He couldn’t care less about protecting the innocent, caring only for his own convenience and well-be...

October 18, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 10:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Matthew 14:1-21

“Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” (Luke 10:9-12)

In the...

October 17, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 19 - Psalm 74:18-19, 21, 20a, 22a; antiphon: Psalm 74:2a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:22; Matthew 13:44-58

“Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Arise, O Go...

October 16, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - Of Citizens

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 14:1-2, 22-23, 14:28-15:15; Matthew 13:24-43

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

How often do you pray for the leaders of your country? And I mean really pray for them. Even if you...

October 15, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 13:1-23

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 13:1-18; Matthew 13:1-23

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew...

October 14, 2025

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 12:13-32; Matthew 12:38-50

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will al...

October 13, 2025

Today's Reading: Ruth 1:1-19a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:26-12:12; Matthew 12:22-37

“And she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.’ But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more als...

October 12, 2025

Today's Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 11:1-25; Matthew 12:1-21

“When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigne...

October 11, 2025

Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 18 - Psalm 34:2-4, 17; antiphon: Psalm 48:1a

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 9:23-10:22; Matthew 11:20-30

“My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:2-4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Here is a fun little exercise. What are you proud of? What do you boast in? What’s on your t-shir...