Catechesis for Exaudi Sunday

Here is what the students in our catechesis class will learn today...well, actually, this is what I will teach. Whether or not they learn it, is another thing!!

Catechesis Class May 28, 2006 Exaudi Sunday

Begin with Luther’s Morning Prayer Books of the Bible Sing TLH 222


Review The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

New Lesson We are approaching the end of the Easter season . This past Thursday we celebrated Ascension (40 days after Easter). Next Sunday will be Pentecost Sunday (50 days after Easter). Ask what happened on Ascension and review it. Where is Jesus now according to the creed (He is seated at the right hand of God the Father) Today is Exaudi, the 6th Sunday after Easter. Exaudi is Latin for “Hear” and the introit begins “Hear O Lord when I cry. We no longer see the Paschal candle since the Risen Christ is no longer walking on the earth



Review: What is Confession? Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. What sins should we confess? Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts. Which are these? Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?
What is the Office of the Keys? The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of the repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent. Where is this written? This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:22-23 What do you believe according to these words? I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and

Memorize: and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain , even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us himself.

Explain, read and enact the Gospel lesson: John 15:26 to 16:4



Memorize TLH 239

Come Thou almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing, Help us to praise.
Father all glorious, O’er all victorious, Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, Our prayer attend.
Come and Thy people bless And give Thy word success; Stablish Thy righteousness, Savior and Friend

Come, holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear In this glad hour.
Thou, who almighty art, Now rule in ev’ry heart And ne’er from us depart Spirit of Power

To the great One in Three Eternal praise be Hence evermore!
His sov’reign majesty May we in glory see And to eternity Love and adore!