Introit:Ps 119:1-2, 4-5 (antiphon: Ps 119:7)
Gradual: [Ps. 117:1-2a; 96:8]
Psalm: Ps 1 (antiphon: Ps 1:2)
OT: Jer 17:5-8
Epistle:1 Cor 15:(1-11) 12-20
Proper Verse: Luke 6:23a
Gospel: Luke 6:17-26

Christians Live by Faith in Christ and Rejoice in the Promise of His Resurrection
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man," for all the strength of his flesh is like the grass that fades away (Jer. 17:5). The one who turns away from the Lord may have food and money and laugh for now, but he "shall moan and weep" in the judgment (St. Luke 6:24_25). But "the man who trusts in the Lord" is blessed with all that he needs, "like a tree planted by water." When heat comes, he survives (Jer. 17:7_8). For the Lord has come in the flesh to heal the people of all their diseases, to cleanse their spirits with forgiveness, and to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the poor (St. Luke 6:18_20). As all of this is by way of His Cross, it is solely by faith in the promise of His Resurrection that Christians "rejoice" and "leap for joy" (St. Luke 6:21_23). "If Christ has not been raised," our faith is in vain and we are most to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:14_19). But, in fact, just as "Christ died for our sins," so has He also "been raised from the dead" (1 Cor. 15:3, 20).

Introit:Ps 37:1-5 (antiphon: Ps 37:7a,b)
Gradual: [Ps. 117:1-2a; 96:8]
Psalm: Ps 103:1-13 (antiphon: Ps 103:8)
OT: Gen 45:3-15
Epistle:1 Cor 15:21-26, 30-42
Proper Verse: Luke 6:36
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

As the Son of God Is Merciful and Forgives Your Sins, You Also Be Merciful and Forgive
Your inheritance as a child of Adam is sin and death, but in Christ you are made alive through His Resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:21_22). As you have died with Him in Holy Baptism, so are you raised with Him to newness of life. Therefore, "do not go on sinning" (1 Cor. 15:34). Instead of serving your desires and harming your neighbors, live "as sons of the Most High," and "be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (St. Luke 6:35_36). Deal with others as you would have others deal with you (St. Luke 6:31, 37_38). As Christ loved you when you were at enmity with Him, as He blessed and prayed for those who abused Him, and as He did good to those who hated Him and hurt Him, so also, "love your enemies, and do good" (St. Luke 6:27_29, 35). For God sent His Son to bear the cross and suffer death, not to condemn the guilty, but "to preserve life." So does He provide a place for you within His Church, where He is near and deals kindly with "you and your children and your children's children" (Gen. 45: 5_10).

Introit:Ps 91:9-13 (antiphon: Ps 91:15-16)
Gradual: [Heb. 12:2]
Psalm: Ps 91:1-13 (antiphon: Ps 91:1)
OT: Dt 26:1-11
Epistle:Rom 10:8b-13
Proper Verse: Eph 6:11
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Jesus Christ Is Our Champion Against the Devil
Jesus Christ, our Champion against the devil, endures and overcomes "every temptation" (Luke 4:13) on our behalf. He worships the Lord, His God, and serves Him only by trusting the Word of His Father: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). Jesus' victory is now ours through His gracious Word, which is not far away but near us „ in our mouth and in our heart, in the proclamation of repentance and faith. For "with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Rom. 10:10). Our confession of Christ includes the prayer of faith, which is not disappointed, "for ïeveryone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (Rom. 10:13). The Lord is not oblivious to "our affliction, our toil, and our oppression" (Deut. 26:7), but has mercy upon us. He has brought us out of bondage through the "signs and wonders" of Holy Baptism, "with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm" (Deut. 26:8), and now He leads us by His Spirit even in the wilderness.