The Third Sunday in Lent

OT: Isaiah 51:1-8

OTA: Isaiah 22:15-25

NT: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

NTA: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

CL: Matthew 16:13-23

GA: Matthew 19:16-30

Ps: Psalm 18:25-50

February 28^th

Collect of the Day:

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          The Rock of Faith

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 16:18

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Isaiah 22:15-25         Tues:  Isaiah 51:1-8            Wed:  Matthew 16:13-23

Thurs:            1 Corinthians 6:1-11          Fri:  Matthew 19:16-30

Catechism Reading:

What is the Office of the Keys?[1]

 The Office of the Keys is that special authority

which Christ has given to His church on earth

to forgive the sins of repentant sinners,

but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant

as long as they do not repent.

Where is this written?²

 This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty:

The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said,

'Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven;

if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven' (John 20:22-23).

What do you believe according to these words?²

 I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us

by His divine command,

in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners

from the Christian congregation

and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better,

this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven,

as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.

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[1] These questions may not have been composed by Luther himself but reflect his teachings and were included in editions of the Small Catechism during his lifetime.