Fourth Sunday in Lent

OT: Ezekiel 15:1-8

OTA: Ezekiel 17:22-23

NT: 2 Peter 3:1-18

NTA: Romans 11:11-24

CL: John 15:1-17

GA: John 6:41-51

Ps: Psalm 80:1-19

March 15^th

Collect of the Day:

O God, our Father, You are the vinedresser who prunes Your Vine and Its branches, allow these branches to be Nurtured through the Vine and be fruitful, as You continue to graft others into this Vine so that Your Church may continue to Grow; through Jesus Christ, the True Vine, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          Nurtured by the Vine

Verse of the Week:            John 15:5

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon: 2 Peter 3:1-18 Tues: John 15:1-17 Wed: Ezekiel 15:1-8

Thurs:            Romans 11:11-24   Fri: John 6:41-51

Catechism Reading:

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

 These words,

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,"

shows us that in the Sacrament

forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation

are given us through these words.

For where there is forgiveness of sins,

there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things,

but the words written here:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,

are the main thing in the Sacrament.

Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say:

"forgiveness of sins."

Who receives this sacrament worthily?

 Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.

But that person is truly worthy and well prepared

who has faith in these words:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them

is unworthy and unprepared,

for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe.