VERSE: “ALLELUIA! Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. ALLELUIA.” (Liturgical Text; VERSE)
Meditate on and learn by heart the hymn marked with an asterisk (*).
Psalm 139:1-16
The psalmist marvels at the wisdom and knowledge of God, his intimate understanding of each one of us and his constant presence no matter where we go or in what circumstances we find ourselves. This LORD, who formed each of us in our mother’s womb, saved us in Christ and is watching over us for our good. His desire is to preserve and protect us as his own, and to “lead [us] in the way everlasting” (v. 24). May we always trust his good will for us.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The LORD dramatically pictures for Ezekiel and the other exiles his mercy and power to deliver them. It doesn’t matter that their situation is hopeless. Let them be dead, by his Word and Spirit he can restore life. Nothing can prevent the LORD from fulfilling his promises and delivering his people. God bless us to believe it!
Acts 2:1-21
The phenomena of the sound of a violent wind, what appeared to be tongues of fire, and speaking in unfamiliar languages all served to bring attention to the Gospel of Jesus’ resurrection. God poured out his Spirit on his people as promised so that they would be strengthened in their faith and so that others too would come to know and trust in the Savior. May God’s Spirit work powerfully in our lives to accomplish his gracious purposes.
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Before he left his disciples, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit—the Helper. Through his work, we come to recognize our sin, to know God’s judgment, and to put our trust in the Savior. Thank God for the Spirit’s work that brings each of us to faith and salvation. Thank God that he continues to work through the Scriptures to lead us in truth and preserve us in faith. God grant that we always listen and believe!
| Monday | Numbers 14:26-45 | Luke 18:35-19:10 |
| Tuesday | Numbers 16:1-22 | Luke 19:11-28 |
| Wednesday | Numbers 16:23-40 | Luke 19:29-48 |
| Thursday | Numbers 16:41-17:13 | Luke 20:1-18 |
| Friday | Numbers 20:1-21 | Luke 20:19-44 |
| Saturday | Numbers 20:22-21:9 | Luke 20:45-21:19 |
| Sunday | Numbers 21:10-35 | Luke 21:20-38 |
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it come to us also.
How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.
THE COLLECT FOR NEXT SUNDAY [The Feast of Pentecost] “O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” AMEN!
