Moments of Meditation – Trinity Lutheran Church

Healed – Part 3

August 26, 2026

                            Healed - Part 3
                             Mark 7:33-35
                              08/26/2026


        33   And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he
             put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting
             touched his tongue.
        34   And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to
             him, ``Ephphatha,'' that is, ``Be opened.''
        35   And his ears were opened, his tongue was released,
             and he spoke plainly.  (ESV)

        Our prayer this week asks God to enable us to do the good
   works which serve Him by serving our neighbor.  It reflects the
   love of the friends and family of the deaf man in this week's
   Gospel lesson.
        Almighty and merciful God, by Your gift alone Your
        faithful people render true and laudable service.  Help
        us steadfastly to live in this life according to Your
        promises and finally attain Your heavenly glory.


        Loving friends and family brought a deaf man with a speech
   impediment to Jesus for healing.  Saint Mark recorded:
        And taking him aside from the crowd privately, [Jesus]
        put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting
        touched his tongue.  And looking up to heaven, he
        sighed and said to him, ``Ephphatha,'' that is, ``Be
        opened.''  And his ears were opened, his tongue was
        released, and he spoke plainly.


        Jesus used gestures to show the man that He was going to do
   something to open his ears and to enable him to speak.  The
   healing came by the word spoken by Jesus, a word that was spoken
   after Jesus acknowledged the power of the Father to restore
   creation.  God's Word is powerful.  It creates, it restores, it
   brings what God promises, namely life everlasting for the sake of
   Christ Jesus.

        May our Lord grant that our ears may be opened to hear the
   good news of salvation by grace through faith for the sake of
   Christ.  Amen.

Healed – Part 2

August 25, 2026

Broadcast

                            Healed - Part 2
                             Mark 7:31-32
                              08/25/2026


        31   Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went
             through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region
             of the Decapolis.
        32   And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had
             a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay
             his hand on him.  (ESV)

        Last Sunday we prayed:
        Almighty and merciful God, by Your gift alone Your
        faithful people render true and laudable service.  Help
        us steadfastly to live in this life according to Your
        promises and finally attain Your heavenly glory.


        In this prayer we acknowledge that only God can call us to
   faith and enable us to do works of faith towards Him and love for
   one another.  Without faith in Christ Jesus, all our works are,
   as Isaiah says, ``Filthy rags.''[1]

        ``And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a
   speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.''

        The deaf and mute man could not have heard about Jesus.
   Only those who loved him thought that this miracle worker could
   restore the man's hearing and loosen his tongue.  In the same
   way, those who love you brought you into God's presence so you
   could receive the healing which comes from the forgiveness of
   your sins.

        The Holy Spirit uses God's Word to bring us to faith.  We
   stand condemned as we hear His Law, that we have sinned against
   God and neighbor in thought, word, and deed.  We stand redeemed
   as we hear His Gospel, that Christ Jesus suffered, died, and rose
   again to pay the price of our transgressions.

        May our Lord grant us hearts willing to share His love with
   those who do not yet know the peace of God's forgiveness.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Isaiah 64:6

Healed – Part 1

August 24, 2026

Broadcast

                            Healed - Part 1
                             Mark 7:31-32
                              08/24/2026


        31   Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went
             through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region
             of the Decapolis.
        32   And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had
             a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay
             his hand on him.  (ESV)

        How does yesterday's Prayer of the Day, the Collect, reflect
   the truth that we cannot come to know Christ Jesus by our own
   reason or works?
        Almighty and merciful God, by Your gift alone Your
        faithful people render true and laudable service.  Help
        us steadfastly to live in this life according to Your
        promises and finally attain Your heavenly glory;
        through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
        reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
        forever.


        The theme for the next several weeks is the righteousness of
   God's kingdom as shown in works of faith and love.  We believe,
   teach, and confess that our works of love, our good works, are
   the result of our faith in Christ Jesus as our Redeemer from sin
   and death.

        Our appointed Gospel reading is from Saint Mark's account of
   Jesus healing a deaf and mute man.
        Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went
        through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of
        the Decapolis.  And they brought to him a man who was
        deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him
        to lay his hand on him.


        This text serves as a reminder of how we come to know Jesus
   as our Savior, how we are brought to faith.  It also is a
   reminder that each of us who believe in Christ Jesus have a
   responsibility to invite our friends, family, and neighbors to
   learn of His great love and mercy.

        May our Lord grant us willing hearts to invite others to
   hear of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Forgiven – Part 5

August 21, 2026

Broadcast

                           Forgiven - Part 5
                             Luke 18:10,14
                              08/21/2026


        10   Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
             Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
        14   I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down
             to his house justified, rather than the other. For
             everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but
             the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
             (ESV)

        Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
        than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
        or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
        mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
        is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
        not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
        mediation of Christ, our Lord.


        ``Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee
   and the other a tax collector.''  We heard the prayers of both
   men.  One boasted before God of his personal righteousness.  The
   Pharisee looked to his own good works to earn him a place in
   God's kingdom.  The tax collector threw himself on God's mercy.
   Who received the peace which comes from knowing their sins are
   forgiven?
        I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to
        his house justified, rather than the other. For
        everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the
        one who humbles himself will be exalted.


        Each Sunday we hear the Word of God: ``If we say we have no
   sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we
   confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
   and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.''[1] Each Sunday we
   hear God's voice saying, ``Depart in peace, your sins are
   forgiven,'' as He speaks through His called and ordained servant.
   Wouldn't you like to receive the same assurance, the same hope,
   the same forgiveness at the tax collector?  Please join us each
   Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to receive God's message of grace and
   mercy.

        May our Lord grant us the peace of knowing our sins are
   forgiven.  Amen.



   ____________________

   1. I John 1:8-9 (ESV)

Forgiven – Part 4

August 20, 2026

Broadcast

                           Forgiven - Part 4
                             Luke 18:10,13
                              08/20/2026


        10   Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
             Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
        13   But the tax collector, standing far off, would not
             even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his
             breast, saying, ``God, be merciful to me, a
             sinner!''  (ESV)

        This week we pray:
        Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
        than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
        or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
        mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
        is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
        not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
        mediation of Christ, our Lord.


        ``Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee
   and the other a tax collector.''  Unlike the Pharisee, who
   confidently walked into the Temple with his head held high, the
   tax collector slowly walked in.  He stood in the shadows, knowing
   that his neighbors despised him, calling him a traitor and a
   thief.  People avoided him, not wishing to engage in
   conversation, not wishing to be seen with him.

        But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even
        lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast,
        saying, ``God, be merciful to me, a sinner!''


        Our English translations do not do justice to the original
   Greek.  Saint Luke recorded the tax collector's words, ``Lord, be
   merciful to me, the sinner.''  This tax collector did not hide
   himself as one of many sinners.  He stood alone, taking
   responsibility for his sin, not comparing himself to anyone or
   anything but God's holy law.

        There is no pretense, you and I stand with the tax
   collector, for we also have sinned against God and neighbor.  Was
   God pleased to hear this prayer?

        May our Lord grant us the courage to take full
   responsibility for our sin and confess it to Him.  Amen.

Forgiven – Part 3

August 19, 2026

Broadcast

                           Forgiven - Part 3
                             Luke 18:10-12
                              08/19/2026


        10   Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
             Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
        11   The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus:
             ``God, I thank you that I am not like other men,
             extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like
             this tax collector.
        12   I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I
             get.''  (ESV)

        This we our prayer acknowledges God's grace even as we
   confess our unworthiness.
        Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
        than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
        or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
        mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
        is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
        not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
        mediation of Christ, our Lord.


        ``Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee
   and the other a tax collector.''  As people looked on, they saw a
   man who was highly regarded as a religious leader hurrying into
   the Temple at the time of the sacrifice.  They also were
   disgusted at the other man, someone who worked for the Roman
   government, one who made his living at the expense of others.

        The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ``God,
        I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners,
        unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I
        fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.''


        This is a prayer, for prayer is talking to God.  But this
   prayer neither asks God for a blessing, nor is it a prayer which
   confesses a sin.  The Pharisee exalts himself above others,
   claiming religious superiority.  In the eyes of society, he is
   correct.  No one can match his civil goodness, his meticulous
   keeping of the law.

        His prayer is one of pride and arrogance, born out of
   experience.  He was, after all, one to whom others respected as a
   pillar of the community.  Did his prayer please God?  Did his
   good works earn him the assurance of eternal life?  May our Lord
   grant us humility, that we may be willing to serve Him by serving
   our neighbors.  Amen.

Forgiven – Part 2

August 18, 2026

Broadcast

                           Forgiven - Part 2
                             Luke 18:9-10
                              08/18/2026


        9    [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted
             in themselves that they were righteous, and
             treated others with contempt:
        10   Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
             Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  (ESV)

        We pray:
        Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
        than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
        or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
        mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
        is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
        not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
        mediation of Christ, our Lord.


        God, in His infinite grace and mercy, has given His Son to
   die to pay the price of our sins.  He promises that we will find
   forgiveness as we gather together to hear His Word and to partake
   of the Sacraments.  He invites the humble, the poor, the sinners
   to come into His presence to give them the hope which comes from
   the promise of life everlasting.

        [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in
        themselves that they were righteous, and treated others
        with contempt: Two men went up into the temple to pray,
        one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.


        There are people you expect to see in church.  They
   frequently quote the Bible, pray in public, and are very careful
   to keep both the Ten Commandments and the laws of society.
   Others you wonder about.  The man with the drinking problem, the
   young lady who has a reputation for being less than faithful in
   her relationships, the student who is always in trouble as
   school.  These also are welcome.

        The church is not for self-avowed saints, but for sinners in
   need of redemption.  The church is not for the person who is
   perfect, but for the person who feels the weight of sin.

        May our Lord grant that we sinners heed His call to come
   into His presence to receive His good gifts and blessings.  Amen.

Forgiven – Part 1

August 17, 2026

Broadcast

                           Forgiven - Part 1
                             Luke 18:9-10
                              08/17/2026


        9    [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted
             in themselves that they were righteous, and
             treated others with contempt:
        10   Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
             Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  (ESV)

        The prayer of the week both confesses God's grace and mercy,
   while confessing our unworthiness because of our sin and
   rebellion.
        Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear
        than we to pray and to give more than we either desire
        or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your
        mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience
        is afraid and giving us those good things that we are
        not worthy to ask, except through the merits and
        mediation of Christ, our Lord; who lives and reigns
        with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


        What we deserve is God's eternal wrath and punishment.  What
   we receive is everything we need to support this body and life.
   What we receive is the forgiveness of our sins for the sake of
   the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

        The text this week, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax
   Collector, reinforces our understanding of God's great mercy.

        [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in
        themselves that they were righteous, and treated others
        with contempt: Two men went up into the temple to pray,
        one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.


        We will learn that God offers us the forgiveness of our
   sins, not because of our works, but because of His love.  The
   person who is holy in the sight of his neighbors may not be the
   one who receives full pardon for his transgressions.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him for our
   salvation.  Amen.

The Time is Now – Part 5

August 14, 2026

Broadcast

                       The Time is Now - Part 5
                             Luke 19:41-44
                              08/13/2026


        41   And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept
             over it,
        42   saying, ``Would that you, even you, had known on
             this day the things that make for peace! But now
             they are hidden from your eyes.
        43   For the days will come upon you, when your enemies
             will set up a barricade around you and surround
             you and hem you in on every side
        44   and tear you down to the ground, you and your
             children within you. And they will not leave one
             stone upon another in you, because you did not
             know the time of your visitation.''  (ESV)

        This week we have heard Jesus' prophecy about the
   destruction of Jerusalem which happened about forty years after
   His death and resurrection.
        And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over
        it, saying, ``Would that you, even you, had known on
        this day the things that make for peace! But now they
        are hidden from your eyes.  For the days will come upon
        you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around
        you and surround you and hem you in on every side and
        tear you down to the ground, you and your children
        within you. And they will not leave one stone upon
        another in you, because you did not know the time of
        your visitation.''


        Because of this warning, the Church prays:
        O God, You declare Your almighty power above all in
        showing mercy and pity.  Mercifully grant us such a
        measure of Your grace that we may obtain Your gracious
        promises and be made partakers of Your heavenly
        treasures.


        We have seen that the city was destroyed because they did
   not know the time of Jesus' visitation.  By rejecting God's mercy
   they sealed their own fate.

        The time is now.  Today may be the last time that you hear
   of God's mercy and pity.  How will you respond?  Will you put off
   learning more about God's grace?  Will you realize that this may
   be the last opportunity you have to hear of His love?

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   morning at 9:00 a.m.  as we come to a better understanding of
   God's mercy.

        May our Lord grant that we know the time of His visitation
   for our salvation.  Amen.

The Time is Now – Part 4

August 13, 2026

Broadcast

                       The Time is Now - Part 4
                             Luke 19:43-44
                              08/13/2026


        43   For the days will come upon you, when your enemies
             will set up a barricade around you and surround
             you and hem you in on every side
        44   and tear you down to the ground, you and your
             children within you. And they will not leave one
             stone upon another in you, because you did not
             know the time of your visitation.''  (ESV)

        The Church prays:
        O God, You declare Your almighty power above all in
        showing mercy and pity.  Mercifully grant us such a
        measure of Your grace that we may obtain Your gracious
        promises and be made partakers of Your heavenly
        treasures.


        Why was the city of Jerusalem destroyed?  God, who is long-
   suffering, eventually removes sinful nations which reject Him.
   The religious leaders of the day did not recognize the
   opportunity that God gave to learn of Jesus, to accept His gift
   of salvation.

        Therefore, Jesus foretold their destruction, which happened
   in August, 70 A.D.
        For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will
        set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem
        you in on every side and tear you down to the ground,
        you and your children within you. And they will not
        leave one stone upon another in you, because you did
        not know the time of your visitation.''


        Here is the lesson for each of us.  The Church proclaims the
   words of Isaiah the prophet, calling everyone to hear of God's
   grace, love, and mercy.
        Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him
        while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and
        the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the
        Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our
        God, for he will abundantly pardon.[1]


        May our Lord grant that we hear His voice and follow Him.
   Amen.
       ____________________

       1. Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)