Introit:Ps 55:1, 12-14, 16 (antiphon: Ps 55:22)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Psalm: Ps 119:81-88 (antiphon: Ps 119:81)
OT: Jer 23:16-29
Epistle:Heb 11:17-31 (32-40); 12:1-3
Proper Verse: Jer 23:29a, 28b
Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 (54-56)

Christ's Suffering and Death Bring Division
The Lord Jesus causes fear and trembling and division because His Word is "like fire ƒ and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces" (Jer. 23:29). His Law puts us all to death, whereas only His Gospel can bring us to life. He has fulfilled that Word for us by His cross and in His resurrection from the dead. He undergoes such a distressing Baptism, accomplished by His death, in order to open the way for us through our Holy Baptism into His cross and resurrection. So, then, if we are able "to interpret the appearance of earth and sky" (Luke 12:56), let us mark this sign of His cross „ recognizing that this world is subject to death, but knowing that Christ Jesus also has conquered death and obtained life everlasting for us. Let us fix our eyes on "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" and "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1_2).

Introit:Ps 117 (antiphon: Ps 96:6a; 115:18)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Psalm: Ps 50:1-15 (antiphon: Ps 50:23)
OT: Is 66:18-23\nEpistle:Heb 12:4-24 (25-29)
Proper Verse: Luke 13:29
Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

The Cross of Christ Is the Way into the Kingdom of God
With the cross of Christ, the time has come "to gather all nations and tongues" (Is. 66:18). The sign of the cross is set forth in the preaching of the Gospel, the declaration of the Lord's glory "among the nations" (Is. 66:19). Many "will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God" (Luke 13:29), but only by the narrow way of the cross. Those who refuse to follow Christ crucified will ultimately find only "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Luke 13:28), whereas Christ's disciples, called from all the nations, will eat and drink with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God. They will come into "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb. 12:22).

Introit:Ps 75:1-2, 6, 9 (antiphon: Ps 75:7)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Psalm: Ps 131 (antiphon: Ps 131:2)
OT: Prov 25:2-10
Epistle:Heb 13:1-17
Proper Verse: Luke 14:11
Gospel: Luke 14:1-14

We Are Humbled and Exalted by the Cross of Christ
"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled," Jesus proclaims, but "he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11). For your hope is in the name of the Lord, who humbled Himself unto death on the cross and was exalted in His resurrection. So, are you humbled by His cross, and "at the resurrection of the just," He will say to you, "Friend, move up higher" (Luke 14:10; 13_14)? By His grace, the King will honor you "in the presence of a noble," where your eyes will gaze upon the Prince, His dearly beloved Son (Prov. 25:7). As He has dealt so graciously with you, "do not neglect to do good and to share what you have" (Heb. 13:16) and "do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers" (Heb. 13:2). Humble yourself and exalt your neighbor.

Introit:Ps 119:28-32 (antiphon: Ps 119:27)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Psalm: Ps 1 (antiphon: Ps 1:6)
OT: Deut 30:15-20
Epistle:Philemon 1-21
Proper Verse: Gal 6:14
Gospel: Luke 14:25-35

Christ Jesus Has Paid the Cost of Discipleship for You
A disciple of Jesus Christ will "bear his own cross" (Luke 14:27) and follow the Lord through death into life. Discipleship is costly because it crucifies the old man with "all that he has" (Luke 14:33), in order to raise up the new man in Christ. The disciple disavows "his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life" (Luke 14:26), in deference to Christ. That way of the cross is impossible, except that Christ Jesus has already paid the cost. His cross is set before you as "life and good, death and evil" (Deut. 30:15). Taking up His cross is to "choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him" (Deut. 30:19_20). To live that life in Christ is also to bear His cross in love, "that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord" (Philemon 14).

Introit:Ps 30:2-5 (antiphon: Ps 30:11a, 12b)
Gradual: [Ps. 34:9, 19, alt.]
Psalm: Ps 119:169-176 (antiphon: Ps 119:176)
OT: Ezek 34:11-24
Epistle:1 Tim 1:(5-11) 12-17
Proper Verse: Luke 15:10
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

Jesus Christ Is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Tim. 1:15). As He had mercy on Paul, in order to "display his perfect patience" (1 Tim. 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep "from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness" (Ezek. 34:12). To deliver His flock, He "will seek the lost, ƒ bring back the strayed, ƒ bind up the injured, and ƒ strengthen the weak" (Ezek. 34:16), and "they shall no longer be a prey" (Ezek. 34:22). He sets over them one great Good Shepherd, the Son of David, who "shall feed them and be their shepherd" (Ezek. 34:23). For Christ Jesus is the one man who, "having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them," would "leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it" (Luke 15:4). When He finds the lost one and brings it home rejoicing, "the angels of God" and all the company of heaven rejoice with Him, with great joy (Luke 15:7, 10).