Category: Catechesis

Our Lord works through His Word and means. By means of flesh, the Son of God was able to bleed and die for our sins. By means of water, God puts His name on us. By means of a pastor’s voice, Christ absolves us of our sins. By means of bread and wine, Jesus gives us His body and blood. Of all the means by which the Lord does things, those are the most important! Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, is truly our daily bread!

But have you ever stopped to consider how the Lord uses means to give us the rest of our daily bread? Let’s take an example. When I sit in my recliner and watch TV, there is a little boy and girl in the congregation I serve who can eat. How is my watching TV connected to their eating? Well, their mom works for the cable company. So when I pay for my cable TV each month, she earns money from her job at the cable company. So, by means of my watching TV, and her earning a paycheck, these children are fed and clothed.

But it goes way beyond that. Think about all the connections that are made when that transaction takes place. When the money comes out of my account, a computer programmer at the bank earns money to buy his children what they need. When that mom I mentioned goes and buys those groceries, let’s say a loaf of bread, all kinds of gifts from our heavenly Father are coming together. First of all there is His gift of sun and rain to water the fields where the grain grows. The Lord provides for the farmer who harvests and ships the grain. Men and women at a flour mill grind that grain into flour. Someone drives it on a truck, using fuel to drive that truck that was pumped out of the ground. People who make the boxes and bags in which the bread is shipped, the people who work at the warehouse and the grocery store, from the boy who puts it on the shelf to the nice young lady who rings it up at the register. At every step of the way, in every aspect of our lives, we see the gracious hand of our heavenly Father at work to provide for us.

Notice that a loaf of bread doesn’t fall out of the sky whenever you get hungry. You buy it from people who produce and deliver and sell it. Do you see then how the Lord works through means, not just for our salvation but for every aspect of our lives? And why? Because we deserve it? Nope. After all, even people who aren’t Christians have jobs and can buy bread. No, our Lord gives us these gifts, as the Catechism teaches, “only out of Fatherly divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all which it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.” So, take a moment at Thanksgiving to do that!

But how do you thank God properly? How do you say “thanks” or “give back” to the Guy who has everything? You do what the Psalmist says: You “take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:13). In other words, the best way to thank the Lord for all His benefits? Live in them! Enjoy them! Receive them as His gifts! Don’t try to pay Him back—you never could! Rather live each day expecting that your Father in heaven will provide for you! Use what He gives you for your good and the good of your neighbor, those around you. Enjoy whatever the Lord gives you as a gift.

As you enjoy the good things the Lord gives you to support your body and life, enjoy most of all the gifts that never perish or run out. As you eat your daily bread, feast also on the Bread of Life, the flesh of Jesus given for the life of the world. As you chug down your favorite drink, drink also the cup of Christ, filled with His blood, the drink of salvation. As you put on your sweater and pants, rejoice in the clothing of Jesus’ righteousness given to you in Holy Baptism. As you receive and give thanks this week for the wonderful and varied gifts the Lord gives for your body and this life, give thanks by receiving and living in the truly eternal gifts that are all wrapped up and bestowed on you in Jesus. Happy Thanksgiving in Christ!

by The Rev. Jonathan Naumann

Yes, that annual season we call Advent is on the way this month beginning on St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) this year.

But by saying “Advent is Coming” I am not referring to the calendar as much as the meaning of the term. “Advent” (from the Latin) means “coming”. But beyond its dictionary definition, Advent is a description of what the biblical God Himself actually does for us in the person of Jesus Christ. “…Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven”.

In those words, quoted from the Nicene Creed, we have an extraordinary departure from the safe comfort zone of the gods of all other religions.

Other religions are about what comes down out of people’s minds whereas here we are faced with One Who comes down from heaven. And, whereas other religions are about what we humans do, the Christian Gospel is about what God actually did and does.

Humans religions continue to disgrace themselves with evil actions, such as taking land or goods in the name of religion or even taking people’s lives in the name of religion.

A few Saturdays ago, in India, anti-Christian riots took place, killing nearly 50 people and destroying thousands of Christian homes and churches all because a Hindu leader (a terrorist against Christians) was killed by Maoist rebels who claimed responsibility for his assassination.

Even without going into what takes place between Arabs and Jews, suffice it to say that, much to their shame, religions down through the centuries have use weapons and words, sayings and scriptures to assert their demands and abuse their positions in the name of God. What a despicable combination of invalid actions combined with unwarranted words!

Not so with the biblical God Christians worship. With His Advent we have, not the arrival of mere words, but of the coming of the Word made flesh. As Philip Doddridge, in his hymn “Hark! the Glad Sound!”, put it 250 years ago:

He comes the prisoners to release,
In Satan’s bondage held.
The gates of brass before Him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

He comes from thickest films of vice
To clear the mental ray
And on the eyeballs of the blind
To pour celestial day.

He comes the broken heart to bind,
The bleeding soul to cure,
And with the treasures of His grace
To enrich the humble poor.

He comes because this sinful world needs Him to. He comes because He is a God of love and a God who took the loving action necessary to redeem His fallen creation and make it possible for those who trust in Him to be forgiven and saved.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel — which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:22-23)

Come down here and actually do something? He certainly did, and we are living proof of it. God’s Son, Jesus Christ is God with us even now as He comes to us by His word and sacraments – just as He promised He would. And, in response, we love another in His name.

The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Naumann is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in England… and he is Stan’s Pastor!

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

Many people don’t enjoy doctor visits. Some even avoid them. In spite of that, the time spent in hearing the doctor’s advice and receiving his treatment can be soothing, healing, and even life-saving.

October 18 is our annual appointment with Dr. Luke. Today is a day that the Church remembers Saint Luke the Evangelist. But why? What good is it to give any thought to this person from history? Pastor Stuckwisch has a Higher Homily that will soon preach this in even more detail, but today we have some thoughts to ponder.

We don’t know a great deal about him, but through the Apostle Paul we gather some information about this human author of the third Gospel. He teamed up with Paul for missions within the modern borders of Turkey and Greece. He also remained with Paul during his final days in Rome, even when others had gone their various ways: “Luke alone is with me.” (2 Tim. 4:11)

In Colossians 4, Saint Paul refers to him as “Luke the beloved physician.” Yet this beloved doctor had a far more lasting impact than touching lives through medicine. The Lord used Luke to proclaim His Gospel. Luke tells us in his first chapter that he gathered information to record the story of our Lord’s life and work.

Luke, led by the Holy Spirit, crafted a literary masterpiece. His skill with vocabulary and grammar, explaining Jewish customs to Gentile hearers, and general eloquence have served the Church in every age well, preaching Christ incarnate, crucified, and risen for you!

Having completed the Gospel according to Luke, the Beloved Physician continued the story with its continuation. We know it as the Acts of the Apostles. He knew it as a second volume of the Gospel, the life and ministry of our Ascended Lord!

What good is it to give any thought to this person in history? No good if we are simply attempting to consider Luke’s personal accomplishments. In the end, it has no effect on salvation whether he painted the first icon of the Christ Child with the Virgin Mary, or whether he actually “interviewed” the Blessed Virgin to provide information for his book. It doesn’t matter how great of a doctor he was or what his bedside manner was like. The people healed or medicines used are not significant to people of all times and places. But there is a significant thought!

The true reason about today is not to dwell on the “Beloved Physician,” but to receive healing from the Great Physician! Our Lord Jesus is the Author and Giver of Life, who also brings true and lasting healing through His Gospel and Sacraments. He anoints our wounds with the “oil” of His Baptism and pours out the “wine” of His Blood, soothing, nurturing, and restoring our health of body and soul.

The Great Physician used the Beloved Physician to present His Gospel to Gentile converts. Jesus gathered (and continues to gather) even more people to be strengthened and made whole through the forgiving Gospel message preached by Luke. Christ uses the voice of this dynamic doctor to proclaim release from sin, death, and the devil in every time and place. Our Lord Jesus continues to use Luke’s “orderly account” so “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:3-4 ESV)

Yes, today we give thanks to God for the appointments He gives us with Dr. Luke. Our Great Physician still uses him to give you certainty concerning the things you have been taught!

Rev. Rich Heinz is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lanesville, IN. Pastor Heinz also serves as editor of the Higher Things Website.

by The Rev. Dr. Rick Stuckwisch

The Feast of Holy Cross Day (14 September) is a relatively recent addition to the church calendar for most Lutherans. It was introduced to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with Lutheran Worship in 1982. Perhaps it remains unfamiliar to many Lutherans in our day. Nevertheless, Holy Cross Day is actually a rather ancient observance in the history of the Christian Church, and there were some Lutherans who retained its observance in the centuries following the Reformation.

The origins of this festival are found in the early decades of the fourth century, when St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, undertook an archeological search for the cradle of Christianity within the city of Jerusalem. That holy city had been rebuilt under the Roman Empire following its destruction in the first century (as our Lord Jesus had prophesied). While some of the details, including the precise nature and extent of St. Helena’s involvement, cannot be established with absolute certainty, there are various reliable witnesses to the basic facts of the case. The presumed sites of our Lord’s crucifixion and burial were uncovered, dug out from under the rubble of Jerusalem’s destruction and rebuilding. Tradition says that three crosses were discovered in this process, and one of these three was presumed to be the cross on which Christ Jesus Himself had been crucified. This was in September of a.d. 320. When basilicas had been erected on these holy sites and were dedicated fifteen years later, in mid-September, a.d. 335, the remnants of that “true cross” were housed within the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher. In subsequent years those remnants of the cross were used ceremonially in annual commemoration of these several events, that is, the uncovering of the sacred sites of our Lord’s death and burial, the discovery of the cross, and the dedication of the churches.

A few hundred years later, after the cross had been stolen away to Persia and later recovered under Emperor Heraclius, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the 14th of September celebrated its restoration as well as all of the above historical events. This was an Eastern festival, to begin with, but one that was adopted in the West in due time. In western practice, Holy Cross Day determined the autumn “ember days,” the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following the feast, when prayers were offered for the fruits of the earth. Thus, the Cross of Christ, by which He redeemed His creation from the curse of sin and death, was raised against the approach of winter.

The Feast of the Holy Cross has similarities to Good Friday in its focus on the Passion of Christ and His death by crucifixion. Celebrated, though, outside the penitential solemnity of Holy Week, the focus of this festival day is more exuberant in its exaltation of the Cross as the instrument by which our Lord has achieved His victory over all the enemies of God and His people. Here He is raised as the ensign of the nations, by which He draws all people to Himself (as He declares in the Holy Gospel of the day). One of the chief hymns appointed for this feast, “Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle” (LSB 454), is also used on Good Friday, but there it is restrained by the reverent sobriety with which we deeply mourn and bewail our sins and iniquities, for which the Lord of Glory was crucified. Here on Holy Cross Day, the same hymn enables us to sing the keynote of the feast: We hail the “faithful cross” as a “true sign of triumph.” It is “the noblest tree,” excelling all others in foliage, blossom and the abundant fruit of Christ (stanza 4). Thus do we exhort ourselves and others: “Now above the cross, the trophy, sound the loud triumphant lay; tell how Christ, the world’s redeemer, as a victim won the day” (stanza 1).

Although there will always be some question concerning the origins of Holy Cross Day, this festival invites an appropriate and salutary focus on the Cross as the means by which our Lord Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world, defeated death and the devil, reconciled the world to God, obtained our salvation and glorified the Father’s name. Though His Cross is a foolish scandal to the world, to us who are being saved it is the power and wisdom of God, unto salvation. Thus, with St. Paul, we know nothing but the Cross, preach nothing but the Cross, and boast in nothing but the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is by His Cross that we are crucified, dead and buried with Him in Holy Baptism and in daily repentance, and from the same Cross that we receive the absolution or forgiveness of all our sins, by which we also rise with Christ unto newness of life. This Cross is lifted up and exalted in our lives by self-sacrificing love for our neighbor, as it is first of all lifted up for us by the preaching of the Gospel, by which we are drawn to Christ in faith and through Him, our great High Priest, brought into the holy of holies made without hands, to our Father in heaven.

Holy Cross Day is another opportunity for the Cross of Christ to be portrayed before our very eyes, preached into our ears, planted in our hearts, and proclaimed with the very lips that have received His Body and His Blood, sacrificed for us upon the Cross, given and poured out for us in the Feast by which His holy and life-giving Cross is commemorated, and by which this holy day is celebrated.

The Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch is Pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana. He and his bride, LaRena, have nine children. Pastor Stuckwisch has frequently written and spoken for Higher Things.

“Darwin loves you.” “God is too big for just one religion.” “What Would Buddha Do?” Even if you haven’t seen these bumper stickers, surely you’ve run into some anti-Christian expressions. They’re everywhere! From the lips of celebrities like Tom Cruise to the best-selling Da Vinci Code, to angry atheists like Richard Dawkins, to silly youtube conspiracy videos, it appears biblical Christianity has its fair share of enemies these days. So what are we Lutherans to do about it?

First, we must understand the nature of the threat. And this starts by being clear about our own position. We preach Christ crucified, God on a cross, as payment for the world’s sin. And we preach that this same Jesus physically rose from the dead. These are not mere opinions, or wishes, or myths—but historical facts. Facts that mean salvation for all who believe. Since they’re true, contradictory positions cannot also be true. That’s simple logic—logic that doesn’t even need to rest on faith. If Jesus is the only way to be saved, Muhammad or Buddha or anyone else cannot also be a way of salvation. Just like if John McCain becomes the next President, then Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama cannot also be our Commander-in-Chief. Do you need faith to tell you that? Of course not.

Second, we must be aware of what the enemies’ target is—Scripture. Remove faith in the Bible, and you remove faith in the Jesus it proclaims. Why do you think evolutionists hate Genesis so much? Because science “proves” it’s a myth, or because if Genesis is true then we must face God on Judgment Day? Why is the theory that the New Testament was created for political reasons so popular? Because of the evidence, or because a fabricated Jesus is easier to ignore? Regardless of the motives, the attacks of Satan all have the same purpose: destroying people’s faith in God’s Word.

Finally, we need to arm ourselves. Not with guns or swords, but with arguments and evidence. These, of course, don’t create faith in people. Only the Word can do that.

But Martin Luther knew that repeating Bible verses until he was blue in the face isn’t very effective when Scripture itself is under fire. Instead, he made convincing cases against Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism, while arguing for the truth of the Bible. We should follow his example—which is really the apostles’ example. Proclaim the Gospel. When skeptics say why they don’t believe, be ready with answers to defend the truth (1 Pet 3:15). It’s not as hard as you might think. Your pastor should be able to point you to helpful books, videos, and websites for resources.

Though Satan speaks through many mouths, the lie is always the same. But if we take a stand against the devil’s schemes by grounding our faith in the truth of God’s Word, we shall extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one (Eph 6:11-16).

Mark Pierson, after obtaining his MA in Reformation Studies at Concordia – Irvine, taught theology for six years at a Lutheran high school in the Milwaukee area. He is now entering his second year of the M.Div. program at Concordia Theological Seminary, and is interested in campus ministry.

by Mark Pierson

This article first appeared in CTS’s “Thy Kingdom Come” Summer 2008.

by The Rev. Rich Heinz

What a week! Saturday night (really Sunday morning, Beijing time) ended a week of often staying up until 1:30 a.m. watching our incredible swim team – and particularly Michael Phelps. Nightly we would see his sisters and mother, faithfully and devotedly in the stands, cheering and savoring his amazing feat! But one thing—one person—was noticeably absent: Michael’s father.

After commenting on this throughout the week, I googled “Michael Phelps father” and discovered the story. Have I been under a rock while everyone else talked about it? Perhaps. Yet I discovered for the first time that Michael’s parents divorced when he was a child. According to the Baltimore Sun, “Fred Phelps wasn’t an everyday figure in his children’s lives for much of Phelps’ adolescence.” The Sun went on to say that he and his children reconciled several years ago, but have drifted apart again.

Even in this moment of historic athletic achievement, the shadow of sin and broken relationships rears its ugly head. Once again we are reminded that no matter how great or perfect something or someone can seem in this world, the Fall in the Garden has lasting consequences that place us in desperate need of our Savior.

Relationships with other people may sour, fade, or come to disastrous blows. You may even have a falling out with the very two people God used to create you. While this is heartbreaking, our Lord Jesus steps in and makes all things new.

Philip said to [Jesus], “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:8-9 ESV.)

Christ our Champion reminds you today that He is One with His Father. What’s more: because of His suffering, death, and resurrection, our Victorious Savior has redeemed you and made you children of the same Father.

Now, for every tear shed or hurtful word uttered, Jesus has forgiven and restored you. No matter how many times you have broken up with friends, been devastated by loved ones, or crushed by divorce or separation, our loving Lord heals and renews you, giving the calm assurance that He and His Father are with you. Not that He is with you in some magical, intangible way. He unites Himself to you in His Holy Gifts as He promises: Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, the proclamation of His Holy Gospel, and in His Holy Supper! So when you see Jesus in these Holy Gifts, you see the Father as well!

Now we have a joyous celebration—one which doesn’t have a four-year wait. Every Lord’s Day we are gathered around His Gospel proclaimed and consumed. Neither Michael nor you need to be fearful, scanning the stands to see if your mother or father is anywhere in sight. I will not leave you as orphans (John 14:18 ESV) He promises. You are given a perfect, holy assurance that you will never be forsaken by the Father – because you will never be forsaken by Jesus!

Rev. Richard Heinz is Pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Lanesville, IN. He works with Higher Things Internet Services, serving as editor of the Front Page.

by The Rev. Richard Heinz

Highlights? Well, to begin with, yesterday had a highlight that I forgot to mention at 1:00 a.m. when I blogged. I ran into my third grade teacher. Thirty years ago she was probably one of the early influences that planted the seed for me to desire to pursue the ministry.

The highlight for today? Pastor Borghardt’s plenary catechetical sessions were fabulous! The “vote for the best T-shirt” contest has been fun. Presenting my “breakaway” catechetical session was great. The prayer offices (Matins, Vespers, and Evening Prayer) have been thrilling! And how chills-down-your-spine exciting when your prayers really do rise before Him as incense! The sweet aroma of prayer greeted worshipers as they entered the church.

But the highlight for today happened after Evening Prayer. Pastor Rick Stuckwisch asked me to remain and act as an usher for Individual Confession & Absolution. Three pastors vested and sat next to kneelers. Youth and adults were welcomed to stay following the liturgy if they desired this treasure. I would estimate that around twenty people received this Holy Gift tonight. A number of others did last night.

After the last penitent had been ushered to another station, I took my place at a kneeler. I cannot express the incredible release of burden and the blessed peace that comes from this “Third Sacrament,” as the Confessions call it! Gift received. Amen!

Sure I preach and teach this with some regularity. I urge others to ask for the opportunity for such confession. But what a great thing to avail myself of the Gift that I urge for others. The highlight for today? I confessed my sin. I received Holy Absolution. Gift received. Amen!

Rev. Richard Heinz is Pastor of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Lanesville, IN. He works with Higher Things Internet Services, serving as editor of the Front Page.

by Stan Lemon

The book of Deuteronomy is a sort of sermon on the Law, delivered by Moses to explain the theology behind the Law. It’s often misunderstood as a simple reiteration or repetition, but that misses the fact that Moses is dealing with the Commandments in much greater detail in Deuteronomy. This Sunday, some churches heard Deuteronomy 11 read in the Divine Service. The reading picks up with second half of the chapter after Moses introduces the 1st Commandment, “You shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge…”

This morning’s reading concludes Moses’ exhortation on the 1st Commandment with some funny business about binding these words to your head and hands (v.18). The business of tying yourself up in God’s Law pops up all over the Old Testament and some Jews take this quite seriously! Very observant Jews often wear these things called “Phylacteries”, which are special leather headbands and arm bracelets that hold little pieces of paper with scripture passages written on them. They’re sort of like Jewish rosaries, as come with a bunch of rules and regulations for their use spelled out in a whole bunch of special Jewish books.

It’s fairly easy to come away from today’s Old Testament reading we should have a similar practice to this binding business. We’re quick to make a law for ourselves about our daily immersion in Scripture and being in the Word – or lack thereof. While being in God’s Word is always a good thing, we need never burden our conscience with our versions of Phylacteries. The fact is, we’ve been freed from the burden of the Law and have been washed by the Blood of the Lamb.

When we examine our own faithfulness, we inevitably find that we’ve missed the mark. When Moses preaches that we should “keep [God’s] charge, His Statutes, His rules, and His Commandments always,” (v.1) we realize that most of the time we do the very things our Lord tells us not to do. We ignore His statutes, break His rules – sometimes even on purpose. When we look to the commandments to see how we’re doing at keeping them, we only see our sin.

We are not empowered or encouraged to dedicate our lives to the Scriptures by this text. In fact all we can learn from the Law is to know our sins correctly and the condemnation that awaits us for them. The veil of Moses’ preaching hangs over our heads and we are left totally helpless to remove it (FC V). In fact, after hearing the Law of today’s text I find that I am a bigger sinner then I was when I woke up this morning (SA II). I have increased in sin and only distanced myself further from Him who is the Word.

There are no leather headbands which I can wrap around my forehead to keep me obedient to God’s Law. And even if there were, I would end up lying like the Pharisees do when they pray in the temple thanking God that they are not like those other sinners. Instead, I am left with a drop of water and the mark of the Cross, given for me so that I might have a new life in Christ. Where I despise preaching and the Word, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, the very True Word of God answers Moses’ Law on my behalf. When the devil, that horrid beast who also marks his people (Rev. 13:16) points at us and tells us we are destined only to death and hell, Jesus stands in our way and quiets Satan’s accusations.

Today’s Old Testament reading can be a bit troubling. There are strange fashion accessories that just wouldn’t be trendy at school, and really weird door decorations (v.19) that could never own up to your favorite movie poster. All this leaves us wondering what must we do to fulfill the Law so that we might not be the ones cursed at the end of this chapter.

The answer is simple and found in the wounds of our crucified and risen Lord. What we have not done and could never do, He already has done for us. And He did it so perfectly that He then offered Himself up as a sacrifice for many. God the Father sacrificed His own Son, murdering Himself so that we might never endure the punishment for our sins.

No Phylacteries for us, only the Cross of Christ, sealed upon our forehead with water, washed and cleansed Holy. The Word of the Lord has been given to us and can never be taken away. No leather binding necessary – only blood and water.

Come soon, Lord Jesus!

Stan Lemon lives in Pittsburgh with his wife Sara and his dog Ivan. He serves as the Higher Things webmaster and is a huge Pirates fan.

by Stan Lemon

The word Corpus is Latin for “body” and Christi if you couldn’t tell is “of Christ”. Today, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday is the Festival of the Body of Christ. You may not have heard of it before and you probably won’t find it in your hymnal either, but I assure you today is the Festival of the Body of Christ.

What’s this festival all about? Back in the heyday, you know like 1264, the Pope instituted this festival for the whole Catholic church. The festival itself actually dates much further back than that, but it was in 1264 that Thomas Aquinas (a guy whom Luther could care less for) penned out, by decree of the Pope, a liturgy to be used on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday for the Festival of the Body of Christ.

The Festival of the Body of Christ was first celebrated to refocus on Maundy Thursday. You know how it goes, Palm Sunday rolls around, the Catechumens are confirmed we do the thing with the Palms and next thing you know we’re at the Good Friday Tenebrae service waiting for the Easter Bunny to show up. Somewhere in there we quickly skimmed by Maundy Thursday, and so it was when the Festival of the Body of Christ was instituted. Maundy Thursday was getting lost in the hustle and bustle of Passion week, so the Church, not wanting to lose sight of the glorious gifts of the Lord, set aside another festival to commemorate the Lord’s Supper, His Body and Blood. After all, the way of the Gospel is more!

Your church may or may not celebrate The Festival of Corpus Christi today, and if they don’t that’s alright (mine doesn’t either). As Lutherans we know that each Sunday when we gather together to receive the Lord’s gifts we celebrate the festival of the Body of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar. There in His words, we look back with all Christians of all times to the night in which our Lord was betrayed. On that night and in this supper He took bread and wine and gave it to His disciples, and then in them gives the Corpus Christi and Sanguis Christi (that one means blood of Christ) given and shed for us!

Your Pastor stands before you to deliver these Words and this Corpus Christi. He delivers them into your mouth, where the Lord bodily comes. In His body and His blood Jesus brings forgiveness and life, and salvation touches your tongue and buries your sin in His tomb. In Jesus, in His Body, we are one, united together as the Church. So as much as the Festival of Corpus Christi is about our Lord delivering forgiveness to us at the Altar, it is also about Him cleansing His bride of her sin. His bride, the Church washed in the font of Holy Baptism and wedded to Him in flesh, the Corpus Christi. We literally become what we eat. Father Adam has no gifts for us in His meal of death, but in this meal of Life the second Adam gives all that we could ask for and even more still!

In this way, then let us sing with Thomas Aquinas (yeah that guy) of the Corpus Christi:

That last night at supper lying
Mid the Twelve, His chosen band,
Jesus with the Law complying,
Keeps the feast its rite demand;
Then more precious food supplying,
Gives Himself with His own hand.

Word made flesh, the bread He taketh,
By His word His flesh to be;
Wine His sacred blood He maketh,
Thought the senses fail to see;
Faith alone the true heart waketh
To behold the mystery.

“Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling” by Thomas Aquinas. Lutheran Service Book 630.

Stan Lemon lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife Sara and his dog Ivan and serves as the Higher Things Webmaster. When he grows up, he wants to be just like Pastor Borghardt! (a Texan)