THURSDAY (October 8, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Reading
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14)
Meditation
Christ gives us the new life of holiness in our baptism. In this sacrament, we receive Christ and all He is. And yet, we live in this broken world, surrounded by sin, death and the devil. We live in the tension of the now and the not yet. Yes, we have everything, for we have Christ, but not fully or perfectly, until that last day. Until then, we live out our baptismal life by daily repentance. We come to the Lord’s Table to receive His Body and Blood—the food which strengthens us in body and soul for our journey. We struggle, and even suffer, to live out this life of Christ in the world, knowing that we are never alone.
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Show your grace to Chris this day, as he goes about the callings you have given to him. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week (from Sunday)
Gracious God, You gave Your Son into the hands of sinful men who killed Him. Forgive us when we reject Your unfailing love, and grant us the fullness of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer