Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
Friday, 3 November Anno Domini 2023
Matthew 22:1-14
And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
In the name of the Father and the +Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. We all have our excuses. Our excuses are fueled by our own interests and passions. Our emotions dictate our lives. Our sinful passions pull us away from the good and the true and the beautiful. To our sinful nature, God seems insignificant. However, in faith we see the great gift that is Jesus and his cross. We see, by the calling of the Holy Spirit, that we have been clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and brought to him that we would have no worries, but would be taken care of and rejoice in him forever. Every good king provides wedding clothes. Our King does, too. He gives you the righteousness of Jesus in which to wrap yourself. Set that righteousness aside and it is not good. Apart from the righteousness of Jesus we get death and eternal flame. But he has clothed us in our Baptism. We are the children of God. We have been brought to the Lamb’s high feast. All glory be to Jesus. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
You may utilize the Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families (pages 295-298) in Lutheran Service Book for your family prayers.
The Collect of the Week:
O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out, we implore You, Your Holy Spirit upon Your faithful people, keep them steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all enemies of Your Word, and bestow upon Christ's Church Militant Your saving peace; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Prayer for others:
For the pre-born, the weak, the sick, those in hospital, those in hospice, and those who cannot care for themselves;
For those who mourn the loss of a loved one;
For Christians who are under attack of the devil and the world;
For the Lutheran Seminary in Lagos, Nigeria and Pastor Wokoma;
For the extended care workers at Our Savior Lutheran School;
For our pastors (Pastor White and Pastor Cholak);
For the elders of Our Savior Lutheran Church as they work to call an assistant pastor;
For all the shut-ins and elderly of Our Savior Lutheran Church.