Cantate
It is the plight of the fallen flesh to ask the wrong questions about God. Sinners can not know God aright. So the disciples sorrow when they should be asking Christ where He is going. Their response shows themselves, not Christ, to be the center of their concerns. So it is with every sinner. But what Jesus does, He does for them. What He does, He does for you. He unveils before them the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. He teaches of the work of the Spirit. The Spirit of God works in setting apart the Holy Church, and thereby condemning the world, and every sinner with it. But the Holy Church, that which is Christ’s, follows Christ, both while on earth, and into heaven.
Download (right-click, save as):5-6-2012 John 16:4b-15
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Rogate
The Lord makes you a great Promise: “Whatever you ask the Father in My Name He will give you.” His Word is sure. He keeps His Promises. But God has never promised to hear the prayers of a sinner. Sinners are unbelievers, men of unbridled tongues and deceived hearts, men whose religion is worthless. None of us, by virtue of our physical birth, is worthy even to approach God in prayer. For His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. But that we might be saved, that we might be declared worthy to pray to God, He sent His Word, the Lord Christ, the incarnate manifestation of His holy will, God Himself incarnate. And the Word that He speaks does not return void. It accomplishes what He pleases: your salvation. That Word of Promise, the perfect Law of Liberty, makes water a Holy Baptism, wherein He inscribes His Name on you, that you may receive fully of His Promise, that you may pray in His Name.
Download (right-click, save as):5-13-2012 John 16:23b-30
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Exaudi
As they treated the Lord of the Church, so are they treated who bear His Name. Like the Eleven, the Christian experiences tribulation in the world. This tribulation comes from outside, and from inside the visible church, as the fallen reason and sinful acts of men collide with the Truth of God’s Holy Word. But that you not stumble, the Lord warns you of what will take place. And He who has already won the Victory strengthens and preserves you, that you remain steadfast until that Day when the Holy Church is delivered.
Download (right-click, save as):5-20-2012 John 15:26 – 16:4a
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Whitsunday – Feast of Holy Pentecost
John the Baptizer promised of the Christ “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” And that is exactly what occurs on Pentecost. The Spirit of the Living God descends upon and fills the Apostles. Miraculously, the Eleven speak in contemporary, known languages which their hearers understand perfectly. They speak of Christ. Such is the work of the Spirit. Where the Spirit is, there is the love of God, true love. And that love distinguishes the Church from the fallen world. For where true love is, there is salvation, for there is true wisdom, the knowledge of Christ. For He is the Power and the Wisdom of God. By the indwelling of the Spirit does He give the peace he promises.
Download (right-click, save as):5-27-2012 John 14:14-23
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