St. John's Lutheran Church - Des Moines, Iowa

Matthew 21:33-46

John 21:1-14

Mark 1:9-13

Matthew 12:38-40

John 3:1-16

Matthew 16:21-28

Matthew 16:13-20

 Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 

 Matthew 14:22-33 

John 3:1-17The light of God’s truth opens our eyes and hearts. Like Abram in today’s reading from Genesis, we journey to the land of promise into the light of Christ’s resurrection. A right relationship with God requires that we trust in God’s unfailing promises. Our God is one who brings life where there is death. Like Abram, we are sent out in faith to generously serve God’s world with our whole lives. 

Matthew 4:1-11Today’s gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert and his triumph over the power of the evil one. This journey of 40 days sets the stage for our own journey through the five weeks in Lent. During this season of lengthening days, we are invited to renew our faith as we draw closer to the Easter celebration. The readings for the first Sunday in Lent turn our attention to the struggle between good and evil. In Genesis, we are reminded that we were created to be in relationship with our creator, the creation and with one another. In the passage from Romans, we learn that “we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves” as a result of Adam’s disobedience. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are given the gift of new life and freedom from the bondage of sin. 

The readings for today bring us to the mountaintop where we receive a glimpse of God’s glory revealed in dazzling light. Transfiguration Sunday bridges the first part of the church year (Advent/Christmas/Epiphany) to the next, which will soon begin on Ash Wednesday. As we enter the season of Lent, this vision of the splendor and brightness of God’s presence will sustain us until we proclaim “alleluia” on Easter morning. Matthew 17:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37 Joyfully following God’s commandments brings life and prosperity. Rather than following the commandments out of fear of retribution, we are reminded in the passage from 1 Corinthians that we are empowered by God, not controlled, in order that we might become coworkers in God’s church. Embracing the commandments, we honor God and bring life and health to the community. 

Matthew 5:13-20In the reading from Isaiah, we are reminded that God desires inward fasting which leads to genuine acts of righteousness: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and sheltering the homeless. Observance of any outward fast which does not move the heart to acts of mercy are ineffective. The psalmist declares that God’s light shines in the darkness for those who are upright. For those enamored with human philosophy and wisdom, Paul speaks of God’s wisdom – the crucified and risen Christ. In Matthew, we hear Jesus’ encouragement to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. 

Matthew 5:1-12Those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God find blessings. Those who recognize the power of the cross – though it represents weakness – realize the wisdom of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus names those who are blessed: the poor, the meek, the mournful and the peacemakers. Our baptism invites us to live into this new, blessed identity.