CLOSURE IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST

"After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, & He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, & two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them. 'I am going fishing.'" (John 21:1-3)

"'After this.' In the joyful aftermath of that first Easter, we are bold to ask why Peter, fisherman by training, returns to that vocational undertaking. Isn't there urgent apostolic mission work to be done? Old habits die hard. It's a new dawn, but we prefer what is known & comfortable. Yet, Jesus said, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow & looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.' (Luke 9:62)

"Things come full circle in the resurrection. From the mouth of that opened tomb comes closure:  The old is gone, the new has come. They go out, fish all night, catch nothing. But in the morning, there is the risen Jesus, standing on the shore, saying, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, & you will find some.' (John 21:6). It is an echo of the day when Jesus said to four Galilean fisherman, 'Follow Me.'

"John recognizes Jesus. Peter throws himself into the sea. The other disciples haul in a load of fish. Someone counts them, & John records the number. None of this is myth or legend. It is a closure that satisfies; it derives only from the factual reality of the crucified Christ, raised from the dead. Coming ashore, the feast with the living, reigning Jesus as host--another satisfying, joyful echo of the days when Jesus fed thousands in the wilderness.

"He's the Lord of creation. Death is conquered, & the new creation has dawned. Then comes the best news:  You don't have to wait for the kingdom of God to come; it has come to you. Now, the mission is urgent indeed while we look to the coming resurrection of all flesh. We pray for the fervent use of every Means of Grace that is given to us as His saints, so we never miss such resurrection glory." Rev. Kevin Robson, Lutherans Engage, Summer 2023

A PRAYER FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

"O God, our help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, I give You grateful thanks on this anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence for the priceless blessings of liberty that with Your help were won for me by my ancestors. Stir up within me, I pray, a new appreciation of the life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness I enjoy in this land of the free, & a greater readiness to serve my nation with my talent. Teach me, above all, to treasure that precious freedom of conscience & worship, without which other liberties would not long survive. May I never contribute to the loss of these dearly won blessings by my own selfishness, ambition, or indifference.

"Teach me furthermore, O Lord, that the enjoyment of freedom brings with it the responsibility to serve. To that end make me willing to respect the laws of my country, to serve my fellow citizens well in any office of trust to which I may be elected, to exercise faithfully my privilege to vote, & to give my loyal support to all public institutions.

"Bless all those in authority. Give wisdom & faithfulness to those in positions of leadership. Preserve them from becoming the prey of selfish pressure groups, & give them willingness to serve the interests of the public.

"Grant enduring peace to our country & its institutions, so that Your Gospel may be able without hindrance to turn the hearts of all from the bondage of sin to the freedom won by the blood of our precious Redeemer, in whose name & for whose sake we ask this. Amen." My Prayer Book

A HYMN FOR THE NATION

Before You, Lord, We Bow (LW #966, Sts. 1-2)

Before You, Lord, we bow, Our God who reigns above And rules the world below, Boundless in pow'r & love. Our thanks we bring In joy & praise, Our hearts we raise To You, our King!

The nation You have blest May well Your love declare, From foes & fears at rest, Protected by Your care. For this bright day, For this bright land--Gifts of Your hand--Our thanks we pay.