Reflections

Today's Reading:Exodus 16:2-21 or Isaiah 49:8-13

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 42:1-34, 38; Mark 12:1-12

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you.’” (Exodus 16:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It was supposed to be great. They were no longer slaves. God had brought them out of Egypt with His mighty arm, ten plagues, and by dividing the waters of the Red Sea. They were on their way to a better life.

Exc...

March 15, 2026

Today's Reading: John 6:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:28-57; Mark 11:20-33

“Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.” (John 6:11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I wish I had been there. Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. How great is that? The people there that day thought so. They all ate—all they wanted. Jesus was healing the si...

March 14, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 4 - Psalm 122:1-2, 6, 8; antiphon: Isaiah 66:10a, 11a

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:1-27; Mark 11:1-19

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!’” (Psalm 122:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Guess what you get to do tomorrow? You get to go to church! 

When I was younger, I’d ask my dad, “Do we have to go to church?” He’d always answer the same way: “No, but you get to go to ch...

March 13, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 10:32-52

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 40:1-23; Mark 10:32-52

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’” (Mark 10:35-38)

In the Name + of Jesus...

March 12, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Ninth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 39:1-23; Mark 10:13-31

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.” (Small Catechism: Ninth Commandment and Meaning)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Coveting is dangerous. Jesus wa...

March 11, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 10:1-12

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 37:1-36; Mark 10:1-12

“‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What is your favorite thing to see at a wedding? Is it seeing the Bride in her dress? Seeing friends and family coming together...

March 10, 2026

Today's Reading: Ephesians 5:1-9

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 35:1-29; Mark 9:33-50

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

You don’t even need to look at the scientific research (although there is much!) to know that most of a child’s learning comes through imitation. Infants...

March 9, 2026

Today's Reading: Exodus 8:16-24 or Jeremiah 26:1-15

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 29:1-30; Genesis 29:31-34:31; Mark 9:14-32

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to the water, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve me. Or else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people, and into your houses. And the hous...

March 8, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 11:14-28

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:30-45; 28:10-22; Mark 9:1-13

“As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’” (Luke 11:27-28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What does it mean to “keep” God’s Word? Indeed, there is some element of observi...

March 7, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 3 - Psalm 25:1-2, 17-18, 20; antiphon: Psalm 25:15-16

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 27:1-29; Mark 8:22-38

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O Lord, to You I lift up my soul. I trust in You. Yes, my life rests on You, for You are the unshakable foundation. That’s what my Baptism tells me. I have been put into You, my Mighty Fortress. Sin, Death, a...

March 6, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 8:1-21

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:32-52, 61-67; Genesis 25:1-26:35; Mark 8:1-21

“And his disciples answered him, ‘How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?’” (Mark 8:4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We can be so forgetful when it comes to our Lord’s compassion towards us, can’t we? We’re not alone! What good company we have with the disciples! They got forgetful, too. Only two chapters earlier, the Lord fed five thousand...

March 5, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Eighth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 24:1-31; Mark 7:24-37

“We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.” (Luther’s meaning for the Eighth Commandment)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Eighth Commandment! Thanks be to God for this commandment and Luther’s explan...

March 4, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 7:1-23

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 22:1-19; Mark 7:1-23

“And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.’” (Mark 7:20)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The topic of food can get complicated these days with all of the diets out there: keto, carnivore, Mediterranean, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. In Jesus’ day, food was a controversial topic. Lines were drawn in the sand. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There was a food...

March 3, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 or Romans 5:1-5

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 21:1-21; Mark 6:35-56

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Through! What a tiny preposition, but that preposition is Good News for you! Paul states that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1b) Peace with God is not through our brains and brawn, our achievements and accomplishments, our degre...

March 2, 2026

Today's Reading: Genesis 32:22-32

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 18:1-15; Genesis 18:16-20:18; Mark 6:14-34

“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.

What a wrestling match in Genesis 32! Not the one we would expect. Wasn’t the Lord on Jacob’s side? Yes, but here it appeared that the Lord was Jacob’s adversary. Not exactly what Jacob probably wante...

March 1, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 16:1-9, 15-17:22; Mark 6:1-13

“And [Jesus] answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’” (Matthew 15:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus calls her what?!? A dog! What many Jews labeled the Canaanites! Looks like a roadblock! A wall! This mommy doesn’t slink away, though, with her tail between her legs. Not defeated. What appears to be a pure “NO”, she hears as a “NO” that h...

February 28, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 2 - Psalm 25:1-2a, 7-8, 11; antiphon: Psalm 25:6, 2b, 22

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-21; Mark 5:21-43

“Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!” (Psalm 25:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Did you know that a person’s brain doesn’t fully develop until about the age of twenty-five? David must have known this as well...

February 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 5:1-20

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 14:1-24; Mark 5:1-20

“And crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?’” (Mark 5:7a) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“Jesus is my homeboy.” Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? Yes, Jesus took on human flesh, but does that make Him a fun-loving buddy you’d like to hang out with at the roller rink on...

February 26, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Seventh Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 11:27-12:20; Mark 4:21-41

“We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.” (Luther’s Small Catechism, The Seventh Commandment - What does this mean?)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The letter of the law says, “You shall not steal.” (That’s in Exodus 20:15 by the way. Go...

February 25, 2026

Today's Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 8:13-9:17; Genesis 9:18-11:26; Mark 4:1-20

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It could be argued that the best coaches in professional sports are the ones who’ve been athletes on the field. Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest NFL coaches of all...

February 24, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 7:11-8:12; Mark 3:20-35

“Jesus declared, ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Our bodies need rest. Your brain can only study for so long before you need a break. Your voice can only practice singing for so long before it starts to get strained. Your muscles can only work out for so long before they get...

February 23, 2026

Today's Reading: Genesis 3:1-21

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 6:1-7:5; Mark 3:1-19

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever played hide and seek with a toddler? They’re not very good at it. Either...

February 22, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 4:1-26; Mark 2:18-28

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Because of our sinful nature, it doesn't always take a whole lot of prodding from Satan for us to succumb to temptation.

Are you ever tempted by selfishness? After all, look at how much you've sacrificed for others. 

<...

February 21, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Lent 1 - Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10, 13; antiphon: Psalm 91:15a, c, 16

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 3:1-24; Mark 2:1-17

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I’m not from Missouri, but I know that Missouri is known as the “Show Me” state. You might know the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” We can say lots of things, but if our actions don’t support our word...

February 20, 2026

Today's Reading: Mark 1:29-45

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 2:4-25; Mark 1:29-45

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Healings and more healings. This is what Jesus is doing. But amidst the healings is prayer. Jesus prays. We see this quite often with Jesus, that He goes off alone to pray. Sometimes it’s to pre...

February 19, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Sixth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 1:20-2:3; Mark 1:14-28

“You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean?” (Sixth Commandment, Luther’s Small Catechism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I have been a Lutheran for almost my whole life. I was baptized when I was just a couple of months old. I like to think of myself as a first-generation Lutheran because my mom and her whole family were Catholic until my brother and I were...

February 18, 2026

Today's Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 1:1-13

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

When you think about treasure, maybe you think about buried treasure, chests full of gold, pirates searching for that which is lost, maps where X marks the spot. 

Martin Luther said in theses #62 (of 95), “the true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the g...

February 17, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Daily Lectionary: Job 13:1-12; John 6:1-21

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13 is a Scripture you might hear quite often at weddings. As a man and woman stand in the presence of God and His people, they declare their love for one another. They make vows to one another, they exchange rings, and are pronounced husband and wife. The vows they make...

February 16, 2026

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 or Isaiah 35:3-7

Daily Lectionary: Job 12:1-6, 12-25; John 5:30-47

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I’m the youngest in my family, like David. And while I can’t te...

February 15, 2026

Today's Reading: Luke 18:31-43

Daily Lectionary: Job 11:1-20; John 5:19-29

“And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:39)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Have you ever had someone ask you to do something, and you didn’t listen to them? A parent? A friend? A sibling? A teacher? A coach? A boss? Or have you ever asked some...

February 14, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Quinquagesima - Psalm 31:1, 5, 9, 16; antiphon: Psalm 31:2b-3

Daily Lectionary: Job 10:1-22; John 5:1-18

“In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;” (Psalm 31:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

One thing that we will all search for throughout our lifetime and never really seem to find is security. It could be financial security, security in our social status, job security, you name it, we long for it. But why stri...

February 13, 2026

Today's Reading: John 4:46-54

Daily Lectionary: Job 9:1-35 

“Jesus said to him, ’Go; your son will live.” (John 4:50)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Isn’t it amazing how Jesus can make the most ridiculously absurd statements and no one from among His followers ever questions Him? Pharisees and Sadducees seemingly get paid by the inquiry, but that’s for another time. But really, if we made some of the claims Jesus did, people would stare at us and no d...

February 12, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Fifth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Job 8:1-22; John 4:27-45

You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

This might sound absurd to say, but the Fifth Commandment is a hard life lesson to learn. Face value, it could be our...

February 11, 2026

Today's Reading: Job 7:1-21

Daily Lectionary: John 4:7-26

“What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment?” (Job 7:17-18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Not the most uplifting text from Job 7, is it? So much so that I almost didn’t pick it.  

Job wasn’t very happy…and why should he b...

February 10, 2026

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9

Daily Lectionary: Job 6:14-30; John 3:22-4:6

“He said to me, ’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

What an excellent reminder of what we discussed on Monday, how our Lord plants the seeds of faith everywhere, even in places that seem unlikely. We all know Paul’s past, soiled with persecution of Christians, dragging men, women, and childr...

February 9, 2026

Today's Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13

Daily Lectionary: Job 6:1-13; John 3:1-21

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Woul...

Today's Reading: Luke 8:4-15

Daily Lectionary: Job 5:1-27; John 2:13-25

“And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, ‘A sower went out to sow his seed.’” (Luke 8:4-5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

It’s a strange time of year for a gardening lesson, isn’t it? As I write this, I am sitting poolside in the sunshine, watching my kids during swimming lessons. That is the time for a planting l...

February 7, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Sexagesima - Psalm 44:1-2, 7-8; antiphon: Psalm 44:23, 25a, 26a

Daily Lectionary: Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12

“But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.” (Psalm 44:7-8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God has enemies. And by extension, so do those who are baptized into Christ and...

February 6, 2026

Today's Reading: Job 3:11-26

Daily Lectionary: John 1:35-51

“I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” (Job 3:26)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Everyone has a bad day. Some days are worse than others. In fact, some are downright terrible. Job had one of these terrible times. He was robbed of his children, his possessions, even his health. The book of Job is often hard to read. He is u...

February 5, 2026

Today's Reading: Catechism: Fourth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Job 2:1-3:10; John 1:19-34

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them...