VERSE: “With you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” (Ps. 36:9)
756*; 580; 562; 421; 737 in Lutheran Service Book
423*; 330; 363; 95; 424 in Lutheran Worship
Meditate on and learn by heart the hymn marked with an asterisk (*).
756*: Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me
580: The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace
562: All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall
421: Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing
737: Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
Psalm 142
The psalm comes from someone in despair. This person is completely devoid of hope except in the Lord. To use the image of the appointed Gospel reading, this is a blind man who knows he is blind and knows there is only one who can help—God himself. Note, though, that the faith of the psalmist is absolute. The Lord is both powerful and merciful; he will deliver those who trust in him! God grant us such a faith.
Isaiah 42:14-21
The reading begins with a description of the energetic actions of the Lord to rescue his people from exile and restore them. Those who are blind to his ways will be enlightened with faith to see. Those who insist on rejecting him however will be blind and deaf to his work so that his judgment rests upon them. God grant us understanding to see and hear and not turn away.
Ephesians 5:8-14
St. Paul speaks of the difference Christ makes in the lives of those who trust in him. They are moved from darkness to light, from blindness in spiritual matters to twenty-twenty vision. So then, he says, live the change. God grant us strength and understanding to live our lives in the light of our redemption in Christ.
John 9:1-41
“There are none so blind as those who would not see”—that is, “who refuse to see”. That seems to express the situation in this text. The Pharisees were absolutely unwilling to accept the evidence of the miracle and the testimony of the witnesses. They had convinced themselves that Jesus couldn’t be who he was. But the man who had been blind believed and saw his Savior. May God overcome our stubborn blindness so that we always may believe.
| Monday | Genesis 29:1-30 | Mark 9:14-32 |
| Tuesday | Genesis 35:1-29 | Mark 9:33-50 |
| Wednesday | Genesis 37:1-36 | Mark 10:1-12 |
| Thursday | Genesis 39:1-23 | Mark 10:13-31 |
| Friday | Genesis 40:1-23 | Mark 10:32-52 |
| Saturday | Genesis 41:1-27 | Mark 11:1-19 |
| Sunday | Genesis 41:28-57 | Mark 11:20-33 |
THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS
What do you believe according to these words?
I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by his divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.
THE COLLECT FOR NEXT SUNDAY [Fourth Sunday in Lent] “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” AMEN!
