December 29, 2023
Today’s Reading: Luther’s Catechism , 2nd Commandment
Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 55:1-13; Luke 1:1-25
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. (Luther’s Small Catechism; Second Commandment & Meaning)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Merry Fifth Day of Christmas!
St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, called upon the name of the Lord, as he walked to vespers on this date in 1170. He felt the trouble becoming greater. Several knights had entered the cathedral and demanded that he come with them and give an account to the king for his actions. (His actions denied that the earthly king is ruler of Christ’s Church.) He respectfully refused to be bullied. Now these knights stormed back into the halls of the Cathedral at Canterbury and confronted St. Thomas. (SPOILER ALERT: More death during these Twelve Days of Christmas!)
These had been rough years for the Archbishop who once was a good friend of the king. But since holding this office, Thomas had held God in the highest regard, and refused to be pushed around. He went about his work, serving Christ and His Church.He lived a life of praying, praising, and giving thanks, preaching and teaching others to do the same.
He was forced into exile for a while, leaving the country so that he would not be jailed or executed for standing up to King Henry II. He returned, even while still dangerous. But he would not back down. Christ is Lord of the Church and King of kings.
Thomas had called on the name of the Lord in good times – times of peace and harmony – and in times of trouble. You do the same. You have times of prayer and meditation – spending time with God’s Word and pondering it, both when life is full of good things and also when it has hardships and challenges.
Keeping the second commandment is also about truthfully proclaiming and teaching God’s Word. St. Thomas did that, even when pressured and threatened by rulers and soldiers. You do that too. Sure, you don’t have a thug in armor, whacking at your skull with his sword. But in the face of non-Christian classmates who make life rough, teachers who criticize your faith, and other challenges, you remain steadfast in speaking the truth of God’s Word. In faith, you properly use God’s name. Thanks be to God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You deigned to dwell Among us here on earth As God with us, Emmanuel, To bring His holy birth, Though rich, You willingly became One with our poverty,
That we might share Your wealth and name For all eternity! (LSB 362:4)
-Pastor Richard Heinz is pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
