SUNDAY (September 13, 2020)
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gospel Sentence
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…” (Psalm 103:2-4)
Reading
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. (Genesis 50:15–17)
Meditation
Joseph’s brothers are still troubled by their past sin of selling Joseph into slavery, and doubt his forgiveness. Luther has this to say, “For it is not without great difficulty that the heart longs for the kindness and pardon of God, from whom it flees and turns away by nature when it feels that He has been offended by many great and enormous sins. Then it is hard to grant admittance to consolation, and it is difficult for remission to cling to the heart, no matter with how many promises and with how many signs of God’s goodwill it has been confirmed. From this one can gather what a sharp poison sin is in man’s nature.” (AE 8:324)
Silence
Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Let your grace be upon Wilhelmina, O Lord, and teach her to hope in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Week
O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer