Wittenberg Discussion Group

Focusing together on the gracious promise of our Savior as He comes in bread and wine to His people.

In Luther's Small Catechism he wrote instructions to the head of the house to teach the members of the household to say morning and evening blessings. The Morning Blessing In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the cross and say:... "God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen." Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you wish, you may in addition recite this prayer as well: "I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself; my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, ao that wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen." After singing a hymn, perhaps (for example, one on the Ten Commandments) or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to work (or stay safer at home - my edit) joyfully. (Luther's Small Catachism from the Book of Concord, Kolb: 363:1-3) What hymn serves your devotion today? Mine would be "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" I also lift up Luther's morning prayer for all people, especially the elderly and homebound, young children and infants, those who are sick or hospitalized, those with special needs, the lonely and the grieving, those who are serving in hospitals, skilled nursing homes, senior residences, or caring for others, and all who are working to provide essential services and to preserve and protect the lives of us all. In the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you!

In 1527 a case of the Bubonic plague was discovered at Wittenberg, causing the university to close and send all the students home. Luther remained to continue ministering to those in need of pastoral and practical care. Faced with similar challenges and fears that we are experiencing today, Luther wrote a letter addressing "Whether One May Flee From A Deadly Plague" to the Reverend Doctor Johann Hess, pastor at Breslau, and to his fellow-servants of the gospel of Jesus Christ.... Luther has wise words for preachers and pastors who are engaged in spiritual ministry, and encouragement for other clergy who need "to leave in order not to expose themselves needlessly to danger." He also wrote,"Now if a deadly epidemic strikes, we should stay where we are, make our preparations, and take courage in the fact that we are mutually bound together so that we cannot desert one another or flee from one another." God's Word in Psalm 41:1-3 says, "Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; He is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health." Reflecting on the words of this psalm, Luther asks, "Are not these glorious and mighty promises of God heaped up upon those who minister to the needy?" God himself will be their attendant and physician too. Luther wrote, "Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid place and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above." See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God." Just as Luther admonished and pleaded in Christ's name with those who read his letter, to help with their prayers to God, I ask this Wittenberg group to pray earnestly for those called to serve as ministers of the gospel, who are faithfully shepherding their flock, serving and ministering to the sick, and carrying on the work of the church, to the glory of God In Christ, so that Christ may preserve us all in pure faith and fervent love.

Like if you have and/or have read Luther’s Small Catechism

Join us in July for a video based discussion on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer