Lectio Concordia

The Two Tables – Tuesday

preparing for The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Series: Lectio Concordia

February 18, 2025 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: O Lord, deliver us from love of self so that we may seek to love you with a whole heart and mind, and with what strength you give us be of service to our neighbor. Amen.

• Psalm 119:97–104

• 1 Timothy 1:8–11

• These traditions have obscured the commandments of God, because the traditions were placed far above God’s commandments. Christianity was thought to consist wholly in the observance of certain holy days, rites, fasts, and vestures. These observances had gained the exalted title of “the spiritual life” and “the perfect life.” Meanwhile, the commandments of God, according to each one’s calling, were without honor. For example, a father raising his children, the mother bearing them, and the prince governing the commonwealth were considered worldly and imperfect works, far beneath the church’s glittering observances. This error greatly tormented devout consciences, which grieved that they were held in an imperfect state of life, such as marriage, the office of magistrate, or another civil service. On the other hand, they admired the monks and those like them, falsely imagining that the observances of such men were more acceptable to God. [The Augsburg Confession, Distinction of Meats]

• Benediction: May you honor God’s name and day, and be of humble service to your neighbor because the Lord alone is your God. Amen.

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37–39)

• Memory Verse Aid: YSLTLYG WAYH AWAYS AWAYM. TITGAFC. AASILI: YSLYNAY. (M223739)