The Joshua Victor Theory

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Today in two of our readings we see the nearness of God to those who grieve—in particular, how He raised the dead sons of two widows. The Old Testament reading is about Elijah raising the son of the Widow of Zarephath, and the Gospel reading is about Jesus raising the son of the Widow of Nain. Whether we experience grief from the death of a loved one, or whether our grief stems from something else, one thing stands sure. The words of the Psalmist, as true today as when they were penned some 3,000 years ago by King David, state this lasting truth: “The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). Today we’ll reflect on what grief is, and how God brings comfort in grief. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Grief could be described as overwhelming sadness. A deeply felt sorrow, usually over some loss or suffering. Man...

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Today on this Lutheran Women’s Missionary League or LWML Sunday, we remember that even the smallest gift, given in faith, can be of great effect. So we look to the example of the widow who Jesus describes in the reading, who gave her last two mites as her offering in faith. It’s faith, not the size of the gift that made this widow a spiritual “big-giver.” Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Psalm 16:5-6 reads: “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” A portion is your slice of the pie, it’s the piece that’s given to you. If you are a hungry eater, you go for the larger portions. A lot is your portion of an inheritance. It’s the property, wealth, or possessions that are designated for you in an inheritance. But the Psalmist says “The LORD” is m...