Pres. Harrison’s Lenten Greetings

Pr. Winterstein

Ash Wednesday

Download or listen to Ash Wednesday: “Calculation” (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Download or listen to the Transfiguration of Our Lord: “House of Mirrors” (Mark 9:2-9)

LCMS President Harrison’s Testimony

Yesterday, our Synodical President gave testimony on religious freedom before the House Committee on Oversight.  Here’s the link to his testimony, and answers to questions.  I encourage you to watch these short clips and pay attention in the next year to what happens to this rule.

Pr. Winterstein

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Download or listen to the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: “Lord of Lepers” (Mark 1:40-45)

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Download or listen to the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: “Not Satisfied” (Mark 1:29-39)

John of Damascus on the Scriptures

[Thanks to A Year with the Church Fathers for the tip]

It is one and the same God Whom both the Old and the New Testament proclaim, Who is praised and glorified in the Trinity: I am come, saith the Lord, not to destroy the law but to fulfil it (St. Mt. v. 17.). For He Himself worked out our salvation for which all Scripture and all mystery exists. And again, Search the Scriptures for they are they that testify of Me (St. John v. 39.). And the Apostle says, God, Who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb. i. 1, 2.). Through the Holy Spirit, therefore, both the law and the prophets, the evangelists and apostles and pastors and teachers, spake.

All Scripture, then, is given by inspiration of God and is also assuredly profitable (2 Tim. iii. 16.). Wherefore to search the Scriptures is a work most fair and most profitable for souls. For just as the tree planted by the channels of waters, so also the soul watered by the divine Scripture is enriched and gives fruit in its season (Ps. i. 3.), viz. orthodox belief, and is adorned with evergreen leafage, I mean, actions pleasing to God. For through the Holy Scriptures we are trained to action that is pleasing to God, and untroubled contemplation. For in these we find both exhortation to every virtue and dissuasion from every vice. If, therefore, we are lovers of learning, we shall also be learned in many things. For by care and toil and the grace of God the Giver, all things are accomplished. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (St. Luke xi. 10.). Wherefore let us knock at that very fair garden of the Scriptures, so fragrant and sweet and blooming, with its varied sounds of spiritual and divinely-inspired birds ringing all round our ears, laying hold of our hearts, comforting the mourner, pacifying the angry and filling him with joy everlasting: which sets our mind on the gold-gleaming, brilliant back of the divine dove (Ps. lxviii. 13.), whose bright pinions bear up to the only-begotten Son and Heir of the Husbandman (St. Matt. xxi. 37) of that spiritual Vineyard and bring us through Him to the Father of Lights (Jas. i. 17.). But let us not knock carelessly but rather zealously and constantly: lest knocking we grow weary. For thus it will be opened to us. If we read once or twice and do not understand what we read, let us not grow weary, but let us persist, let us talk much, let us enquire. For ask thy Father, he saith, and He will shew thee: thy elders and they will tell thee (Deut. xxxii. 7.). For there is not in every man that knowledge (1 Cor. viii. 7.). Let us draw of the fountain of the garden perennial and purest waters springing into life eternal (St. John iv. 14.). Here let us luxuriate, let us revel insatiate: for the Scriptures possess inexhaustible grace.  (St. John of Damascus [d. 749], An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, 4.17 [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.iv.xvii.html])

Pr. Winterstein

Bishop and Christian*, February 2012

With an early Easter this year, Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) is on February 22. Lent has a number of purposes, but none of them (fasting, praying, giving) are meant to remain only in Lent. Lent, as Advent, is a time to practice the same Faith we practice the entire year. Sometimes during the year, we acquire bad habits of attendance in the Lord’s House. Bad habits are easy to pick up, while good habits take work and constant vigilance to preserve.

We think that spiritual habits should come naturally to Christians. Insofar as we are Christians, they do! But insofar as we still sinners, spiritual habits are formed like any other good habit: through work and perseverance. We know the commandment: Honor the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Luther’s explanation in the Small Catechism is significant: “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” The Holy Day is the day when we cease our work, and God does His work of making us holy. Christians want this, desire this, long for this (hunger and thirst for righteousness); but the old Adam needs to be beaten down and drowned in the powerful promise of Holy Baptism. For that reason, we need to force the old Adam out of bed, and into the House of the Lord, where the Holy Spirit preaches to us of our sin and of our Savior, Jesus Christ. There, the old Adam is killed; there, the new Man in Christ is raised to live before God in righteousness and holiness.

The reason I raise this as Lent approaches is that Lent is a good time to focus on this habit of being in the Lord’s House, so that it becomes more than just a habit, but a practice that forms us and our children in the virtue of the Faith. Of course, our salvation does not depend on how many times we attend the Divine Service; it does not depend on how many times we hear the Word preached, or receive the Lord’s Supper. Your attendance will not save you or earn you forgiveness. But it is just as true that your non-attendance, your non-hearing, your non-receiving can and will damn you.

But the Lord has provided a place where He forgives your apathy, your lack of desire for the Word of God and His Supper, the things you prioritize over the preaching of Christ: in this church building, which has been set aside for the Word of God and the worship offered by His people, He has promised to be in His Word and Sacraments. Your attendance cannot save you, but when you attend, your Lord can and does save through the divine means that He has chosen to use. Your hearing does not save you, but the Word does. Your eating and drinking do not save you, but the Body and Blood in the bread and the wine do. Rejoice, people of God! Lenten darkness surrounds us, but Easter is coming. Your crucified Lord has been raised from the dead. And He wishes to give you the forgiveness and life He has purchased with His own blood.

Pr. Winterstein

*St. Augustine (354-430 AD), Bishop of Hippo in North Africa, said, “For you I am a bishop [overseer]; with you I am a Christian.”