Today is the feast day of St. Luke the Evangelist, so we're taking a break from our regular journey through the daily lectionary for today.

Isaiah 52.7-10

In this familiar passage, quoted by St. Paul in Romans, we are taught / reminded of the beauty that comes from the proclamation of the Gospel of God's grace and the worship that happens in response to the redeeming work of God among the people of the world. This passage follows immediately after the Lord's announcement that, although his people sold themselves into bondage to false gods and sin, he would redeem and restore them. Commenting on this passage and the clear fulfillment ultimately in Christ, Jerome writes, "Christ brought peace to all things in heaven and earth through the blood of his cross. He said to the apostles, 'My peace I give to you, my peace I leave to you,' and he announced good things to us, not that which is called 'indifference' by philosophers, but things which are truly good, which the Father gives to those seeking him—that is all the graces of the Holy Spirit.…" (Jerome, Commentary on Isaiah).

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, whose blessed Son, called Saint Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul, grant that the healing medicine of your Word and the sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve you; though Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Lutheran Worship)