The Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2024

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2024

The Holy Spirit declares to you all that belongs to Jesus. The Father has given Jesus everything the Father has.  By the declaration of the Holy Spirit, you receive all the Father has given to the Son. This is the work of Trinity:  that you should have what the Father has and what the Son has. This work reveals God to you. You can be confident that as the Holy Spirit works through the Word, God is revealed fully and completely.  Concerning God, the prophet Isaiah tells us, “Surely, you are a God who hides himself” (Is. 45:15). Indeed, this is true. Outside of his Word, God hides himself because he does not want to be known there. He wants to be known in and through his Word, Jesus Christ.  In his Word… in Jesus Christ… God is transparent… revealed… vulnerable… You can lay hands on him, and you do… There in the sacrament you grasp his body… you clutch the cup of his blood. You touch your God. Your God is there for you.

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit that we would receive what is his. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit that we would receive a faith that possesses us. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit that we would rest in complete confidence in what has been revealed to us. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit so that we need not speculate or question whether God is for us or against us. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit to hold your Word in our ears between the times it is proclaimed to us. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit so that those gathered beneath the preaching of your Word would be fashioned into the body of Christ. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit, grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology receive it as well. Receive our thanks. Amen

Father in Heaven, your Son sends the Holy Spirit, grant that its work sustain us during these days of waiting. Receive our thanks. Amen