Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity – Saturday

The Lord’s Supper. – I Corinthians 11:20.

Concerning the Lord’s Supper the holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul the Apostle write thus:

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup when He had supped (after the paschal supper), and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of it; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

So this Sacrament of the Altar, as Dr. Luther calls it, is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself. And what is the benefit of such eating and drinking? “That is shown us by these words: ‘Given and shed for you for the remission of sins’; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.”

How holy is this Sacrament, and how salutary! Our Lord Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the Truthful and the Almighty, who is now exalted at the right hand of God, but nevertheless is truly present with us, in this Sacrament gives to everyone who eats and drinks that very body and that very blood wherewith on the cross He procured for us the forgiveness of sins. And He does this to make us altogether sure of the forgiveness of our sins, life, and eternal salvation.

Sinner, Christian, come to the Lord’s Supper!

PRAYER – Gracious God, dear Heavenly Father, I thank Thee that for our benefit, through Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, Thou hast instituted the holy and venerable Sacrament of the Altar wherein under the bread and wine He truly gives us His body and His blood for the forgiveness of sins. Grant to me and to all Thy children, Thy Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that we may approach this Sacrament in true faith, make proper use of it, and be strengthened thereby unto life eternal. Amen.

O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,

In thanksgiving bow before Thee.

Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish

Our weak souls that they may flourish:

O Lord, have mercy!

May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,

That our sins and sorrows did carry,

And Thy blood for us plead In all trial, fear, and need:

O Lord, have mercy!

Hymn 313, 1 (TLH)