The Sunday on the Way to Jerusalem (03/03)

Faith Alone

The seeing are blind, while the one who is blind can see (Luke 18:31_43). Jesus tells the twelve that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise again, but they cannot understand or grasp what He is saying. The meaning of His words is hidden from their sight. However, as Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem, a blind man calls out to Him for mercy. This blind man sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, for he calls Him “Son of David.” Indeed, Jesus is the Lord’s anointed, the keeper of sheep (1 Sam. 16:1_13) who goes to lay down His life for the sheep. He is the incarnate love of the Father who suffers long and is kind, who is not puffed up, who never fails us (1 Cor. 13:1_13). Jesus opens the eyes of the blind (Is. 35:3_7) to see Him not according to outward appearances of lowliness, but according to His heart of mercy and compassion. Those who behold Him thus by faith follow Him to the cross through death into life.

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.

Collect of the Day: O Lord, mercifully hear our prayers and, having set us free from the bonds of our sins, deliver us from every evil; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Old Testament: 1 Sam. 16:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Sam.%2016%3A1-13

Epistle:1 Cor. 13:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Cor.%2013%3A1-13

Holy Gospel:Luke 18:31-43

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2018%3A31-43

Hymns:

504 Father most holy Christe sanctorum Video

685 Let us ever walk with Jesus Lasset uns mit Jesu ziehen Video

819 Sing praise to God, the highest good Lobt Gott den Herren, ihr Video