Grace Notes 2025-07-09

This week we continue with the list from the section of Luther’s Small Catechism entitled "Christian Questions with Their Answers”. Use these questions as a good spiritual inventory or health assessment… (page 329 in LSB)

11.  How do you know this (that the Son died for you)? From the Holy Gospel, from the words instituting the Sacrament, and by His body and blood given me as a pledge in this Sacrament. (Note that we take Jesus at his word that the bread He blesses is His body, and the cup that He blesses is His blood.)

12.  What are the Words of Institution? Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (Note that a miracle would need to be involved here, and therefore we do not understand how this happens. But our Lord  says that we are receiving His body and blood. Doubters call Jesus’ language metaphorical. But when you consider it, this would be a strange metaphor. How is bread like a human body?)

13.  Do your believe, then, that the true body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament? Yes, I believe it. (Note that we are not asked how this is possible, rather, we are asked if we trust Jesus’ words.)

14. What convinces you to believe this? The word of Christ: Take, eat, this is My body; drink of it, all of you, this is My blood.

We will continue with Question fifteen next week…

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