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Mark 9:23–24
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Concerning the Mass
Such faith encourages contrite minds. As the Word has been given to kindle this faith, so the Sacrament has been instituted so that the outward appearance will move the heart to believe what meets the eyes. For the Holy Spirit works through the Word and Sacrament.
Pulling It Together
The Word has been given to reveal God and to arouse faith in him. The Sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted so that, in remembering Christ, that faith may be strengthened. The outward appearance of the elements of bread and wine provide us focus on the body and blood of our Savior, which the Holy Spirit uses to help our unbelief. We cannot get enough of either. For the Word and the Sacrament work together through the power of the Holy Spirit to both give us faith and to strengthen the same in us.
Prayer: Lord, help my unbelief! Amen.
The Power of Lent is a series of lenten dramas pairing two characters each week from the story of Jesus' Passion; bearing witness to what they saw, heard, and felt. Each pair of biblical characters reflects upon a similar theme for the week, showing how the same events brought about very different reactions to Jesus and his identity.
