09-easter 3rd Sunday

FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS: Before communion

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

My Lord Christ, I have fallen, I would gladly be strong. For this purpose you have instituted the sacrament, that with it we may rekindle and strengthen our faith and be helped. Therefore I am to receive it. Behold, Lord, it is your word. My weakness and failings are known to you. You yourself have said: “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavyladen, and I will give you rest. I now come to be helped. Amen. While communing Lord, it is true that I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. Yet I am in need and desire your help and grace. So I come with no other plea except that I have heard the gracious invitation to come to your altar. I am unworthy, but you have assured me I shall have forgiveness of all sins through your body and blood which I eat and drink in this sacrament. Amen, dear Lord; your word is true. I do not doubt it. Let happen to me whatever you say. Amen. After Communion We thank you, almighty Lord, God, that you have refreshed us with this precious gift, and we ask for your mercy that you would let it nurture in us strong faith toward you and intensive love among us all, through Jesus Christ, you Son our Lord. Amen.

FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM: The Sacrament of Holy Communion 1. What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us Christians to eat and drink.

O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this fallen world, rescuing us from the hopelessness of death. Grant your faithful people a share in the joys that are eternal; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL: Luke 24: 36b-48

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ?

Jesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. “40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

Ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.” 44

John xvi.22

The one thing needful is that we trust in our Lord Jesus Christ and believe in his Word, which means that when we are cast down and under sorrow and temptation, it is but for a little while, so that we may find comfort in our suffering. For it is impossible for a man to attain to happiness, unless he has previously suffered pain and sorrow. But, behold, what comfort! The Lord informs His disciples what joy awaits them. He says, “I will see you again.” This came to pass on holy Easter Day when they saw Him again in a new and everlasting life. Similarly Christ also sees us, and our hearts see that for our sake He has overcome sin, death, and the devil that we too through Him should live eternally. This is everlasting and eternal joy, which overcomes all sorrow, and shall never be taken from us. Therefore we must not lose patience nor be fainthearted under the cross. For Christ is risen and is seated at the right hand of the Father, that He may shield us from the devil and from all misery, and make us blessed for evermore. May our faithful God and Father grant us through His Son our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Sermon on John xvi. 16-23

W.A. 52.288 f.

Taken from the book: Day by Day We Magnify Thee

Page 189

by Martin Luther