1. Lutheran Senior Services
Jane Wilke at Lutheran Senior Services discusses how we need to care for our Senior Citizens.
Lutheran Senior Services is a faith-based, mission-driven not-for-profit network that specializes in enhancing life for seniors, ages 62-plus. With 19 locations in Missouri and Illinois, we offer quality choices and exceptional support for retirement living. Through affordable housing sites, in-home services and senior living communities, they provide a person-centered approach to a comprehensive continuum of life choices. Building upon a tradition of excellence for more than 150 years, Lutheran Senior Services is fulfilling its Christian mission of Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest.
2. Daily Lectionary
Rev. Neil Mittelstaedt of St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, NY looks at Matthew 10:1-23 “The Twelve Apostles“.
3. Matins Sermonette
Today’s sermonette is given by Rev. Neil Mittelstaedt of St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, NY
Matthew 10:1-23
The Twelve Apostles
10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;[a] 4 Simon the Zealot,[b] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,[c] cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics[d] or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.
Persecution Will Come
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 10:3 Some manuscripts Lebbaeus, or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus
- Matthew 10:4 Greek kananaios, meaning zealot
- Matthew 10:8 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
- Matthew 10:10 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin