Prepare for the Sunday of the Wedding Feast (10/06)

This Sunday we also recognize the work of the Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML). We give thanks to God, while surrounded by their works of service.

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Office of Matins (audio of this liturgy.) The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

Jesus Invites Us to His Wedding Feast to Receive Abundant Righteousness

The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner ... Come to the wedding feast” (Matt. 22:1–14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “He who has no money, come, buy and eat ... delight yourselves in rich food.” (Is. 55:1–9). Those rejecting the Spirit's work shall experience God's wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ's righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for He will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:15–21).

Collect of the Day: O Lord, grant to Your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Psalm 27:1-9
Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1-9
Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-21
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Hymns:

568

If Your belovèd Son, O God

Nun freut euch

Video

Johann Heermann first published this hymn in his Devoti Musica Cordis, Breslau, 1630, in five stanzas. Johann Heermann's own suffering and family tragedy led him to meditate on Christ's undeserved suffering. The only surviving child of a poor furrier and his wife, Heermann fulfilled his mother's vow at his birth that, if he lived, he would become a pastor. Much of his ministry took place during the Thirty Years' War. At times he had to flee for his life and on several occasions lost all his possessions. Although Heermann wrote many of his hymns and poems during these devastating times, his personal faith and trust in God continued to be reflected in his lyrics.

627

Jesus Christ, our blessèd Savior

Jesus Christus, unser Heiland

Video

This hymn is from the Latin by John Huss, 1558. Martin Luther gave the hymn a German form in ten stanzas, 1524. The tune is recast from the medieval tune for the Regina coeli. Historians refer to Hus as a "pre-reformer." Luther was not directly influenced by Hus, and was unaware of his work when he began his own reform movement. But, as he learned of Hus he grew to admire him. Luther condemned the burning of Hus and wrote of him, "If such a man is to be regarded as a heretic, then no person under the sun can be looked upon as a true Christian." In the Prague library, there is a hymn to Hus' memory, dating from 1572, with three medallions pictured. On the first medallion is a picture of Wyclif striking sparks against a stone. The second shows Hus kindling fire from the sparks. And the third depicts Luther holding aloft a flaming torch.

760

What God ordains is always good

Was Gott tut

Video

Rodigast (1649-1708) served as adjunct professor at Jena and then rector of the Greyfriars Gymnasium in Berlin. Two hymns have been ascribed to Rodigast, this being the only of which has passed into English. The tune is by Severus Gastorius (1647-1682), who was a cantor in Jena.