Friday… ah, well… Saturday’s Reflection
I had written this on Wednesday… and on Friday… all day… there was this nagging sense that I forgot something….
It’s Friday… (kinda…)
And Christ IS RISEN! (Not Kinda at all!)
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
I could say this every Sunday, but then…
Would it lose its meaning? Would anyone be as glad? Would it stir any emotions?
Luther said that the Lord’s Prayer was the first Christian martyr!
Why? Because we no longer pay attention to what we are saying…
There then goes the creeds…
The liturgy…
And… and….
It is what people say about having Holy Communion every Sunday.
The truth?
It does not have to be that way. And…
And… despite our attitude, attention, treatment, stance, or whatever…
It is still the Lord’s Supper!
You still are receiving the Lord’s Body and Blood, even if you are not paying much attention.
This to your benefit… or judgment!
That is why we take care who we allow come up to the table of the Lord.
Is “paying attention” being unworthy to partake? No.
You heard me. No!
What does the catechism say? Fasting and… are fine outward preparation, but he is well prepared who believes these words: Given and shed…
So, if you are distracted, tired, etc., do you lose the benefits of His gifts in this Holy Meal, until you remember and then believe?
I will ask another question. When you are distracted, tired, and not paying much attention, do you lose your salvation?
No! It is not up to us in that way.
There is a difference between rejecting, defying, throwing away, etc.(this when fully aware and on purpose), and just being mentally in another place on Sunday morning.
It happens to pastors too!
But if it were that way, then anyone who dies in their sleep would never be saved!
Even so, the devil and the world love to try and take as much of our Lord’s benefits from us as he can.
Too often it is being unable to participate fully in the Divine Service and this robs us from being part of that joy of our Lord’s House here on earth.
But we should give it our full attention each Lord’s Day. It is well worth it! To know and to learn more of what and why of what we do, and then put into practice… is to be more able to enter into what it means to “worship in spirit and in truth” as John says that the Father wants.
However, there is a difference between what God gives (benefits of the Lord’s Supper) and prayer. One is pure Grace, the other is a good work.
If our heart (mind, will, and emotions) is not in our prayers, He tends to not answer.
It is not that we have to pray gut wrenching prayers in order to get answers. It is not that we have to pray the Lord’s Prayer for the same reason either—or any other formal prayer written by some famous theologian, poet, or scholar.
We just should be paying attention and asking in sincerity. Not with, “Glad that is over” type attitudes.
All of this takes discipline, focus, and practice. And be glad that He showers mountains of Grace down upon us EVEN so, even though… and despite our less than spectacular performance.
“Might I have some more, please?”
Yes… Yes and Amen! All is so in Christ Jesus, our Risen Lord! [2 Corinthians 1:20]
It is Friday, and even though it is … today also is a day He has made, and in it we can rejoice and be glad… and DO what He has given us to DO—Whatever vocation you have been given (put in), whomever you are put in the middle with, even this day…(even on Mondays!)…
Yes, we are to pray, praise and give thanks!
But… we have only 2 days to be, to do, to have AGAIN… this and these—heavenly gifts from Him…In His House: where together we also prayer, praise and give thanks!
Because HE IS RISEN!
This coming Sunday – Cantate – 5th Sunday of Easter – May 3rd – 2026
Old Testament – Isaiah 12:1-6
Psalm – 66
Epistle James 1:16-21
Gospel – John 16:16-23
Sermon – WHO IS MY SALVATION? – Based on the Old Testament reading
Prayers: For a lasting peace in our world and in our cities. That there would be between the people of Israel and Gaza as well as for the people of Russia and the Ukraine. That the war with Iran would come to an end quickly and that justice would be served. That the people of Iran would be free from tyranny and that the evil there would be put down. For our congregation that it would please our Lord that we would increase in numbers and there remain in this place a congregation that calls upon Him rightly, practicing the faith according to the Scriptures. For those who are being persecuted and murdered because they call upon the name of Jesus—especially in Africa. For the end of violence in our cities and that our schools and congregations would be protected from those who wish them harm. For our families that parents would courageously discipline their children and raise them in the fear of the Lord, teaching them about salvation in Jesus alone.