Grace Notes 2024-10-09
The Every One His Witness Wednesday Class is underway and going well. Last Wednesday the group interacted with a verse that might not at first glance seem applicable to being Christ’s witnesses. The verse is Luke 6:45. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Our attention was drawn to the end of the sentence: For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Things that fill our hearts eventually bubble over into our conversations. We enjoy talking about such things. We also find it easier and more comfortable talking about things that have captivated our hearts.
What are such things that fill our hearts. What do we easily talk about? Examples shared included things like sports, travel, children, hobbies, books, adventures, the outdoors, movies, politics… this list goes on and on.
The application this has for our witnessing to Jesus is that the enterprise is going to feel like a chore if our Lord and His Word are not filling our lives. Instead, it will seem like an unpleasant and difficult duty. And any witness attempted under such circumstances will come across also as a duty.
Chances are each of us is where we are in the Faith because we were witnessed to by someone who was filled to overflowing. This is when someone is so full of and moved by what Jesus has done for them that they desire to share the joy others. You might say they just couldn’t contain themselves. They want others to experience this also.
Consider where our own hearts get filled! Is it not in Word and Sacraments? Is it not among God’s people in worship and in service ? Is it not in meditation on God’s Word and in prayer? Is it not in setting right priorities? Is it not in contemplating our rich inheritance and destiny in His Kingdom?
Since You Asked…
What is the purpose of the Psalm Reading? And why do we often sing (chant) the Psalm?
“The appointed psalm is sung as a meditation on the First Lesson, a response to it, and a bridge to the Second Lesson. … Hearers of the lessons need a chance to assimilate the First Lesson before the Second Lesson begins. The required use of a psalm between the lessons provides for the restoration of psalm singing to its traditional place in the life of the church and gives the worshiper the opportunity to participate in the singing (or reading) of a portion of Scripture…” (from “Manual on the Liturgy” companion to the LBW, from Augsburg Pub.)
Chanting can be thought of as “exalted speech”. It sets the speech apart from regular speech and the slower cadence allows for reflection