FROM LUTHER’S PRAYERS: THIRD SUNDAY

Before communion OF EASTER

My Lord Christ, I have fallen, I would gladly be strong. For this
purpose you have instituted the sacrament, that with it we may
rekindle and strengthen our faith and be helped. Therefore I am to
receive it. Behold, Lord, it is your word. My weakness and failings
are known to you. You yourself have said: “Come unto me, all who
labor and are heavyladen, and I will give you rest. I now come to be
helped. Amen.

While communing
Lord, it is true that I am not worthy that you should come under my
roof. Yet I am in need and desire your help and grace. So I come
with no other plea except that I have heard the gracious invitation to
come to your altar. I am unworthy, but you have assured me I shall
have forgiveness of all sins through your body and blood which I eat
and drink in this sacrament. Amen, dear Lord; your word is true. I do
not doubt it. Let happen to me whatever you say. Amen.

After Communion
We thank you, almighty Lord, God, that you have refreshed us with
this precious gift, and we ask for your mercy that you would let it
nurture in us strong faith toward you and intensive love among us all,
through Jesus Christ, you Son our Lord. Amen.

FROM LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM:

O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
this fallen world, rescuing us from the hopelessness
of death. Grant your faithful people a share in the
1. What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
joys that are eternal; through your Son, Jesus Christ
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and
under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
us Christians to eat and drink.
GOSPEL: Luke 24: 36b-48
Jesus himself stood among [the disciples] and said to them,
“Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and
thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why
are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch
me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see
that I have. “40 And when he had said this, he showed them his
hands and feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and
still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to
eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it
and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to
you while I was still with you – that everything written about
me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be
fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the
scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the
Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day,
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be
proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ?
Ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and
your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from
you.
John xvi.22
The one thing needful is that we trust in our Lord
Jesus Christ and believe in his Word, which means that
when we are cast down and under sorrow and temptation, it
is but for a little while, so that we may find comfort in our
suffering. For it is impossible for a man to attain to
happiness, unless he has previously suffered pain and
sorrow.
But, behold, what comfort! The Lord informs His
disciples what joy awaits them. He says, “I will see you
again.” This came to pass on holy Easter Day when they
saw Him again in a new and everlasting life. Similarly
Christ also sees us, and our hearts see that for our sake He
has overcome sin, death, and the devil that we too through
Him should live eternally. This is everlasting and eternal
joy, which overcomes all sorrow, and shall never be taken
from us. Therefore we must not lose patience nor be
fainthearted under the cross. For Christ is risen and is
seated at the right hand of the Father, that He may shield us
from the devil and from all misery, and make us blessed for
evermore. May our faithful God and Father grant us through
His Son our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sermon on John xvi. 16-23 W.A. 52.288 f.
Taken from the book:
Day by Day We Magnify Thee by Martin Luther
Page 189