December 18, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism - Table of Duties: To Widows

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10; Micah 1:1-7:20; Revelation 6:1-17

"She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives." (1 Timothy 5:5-6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

The Table of Duties tells us how we should live in the vocations that the Lord has placed us in. Even though not very many reading these Higher Things devotions are widows at the moment, that doesn't mean we skip these. Because in your congregations, you will almost always find widows. Some are helping wherever they can. Some are unsure of what to do next. All have faced one of the greatest losses a person can face.

In this world, we are encouraged to be alone. That a video chat is as good as being there in person. That you can do all your work virtually. That your physical presence isn't necessary. But it doesn't work that way in the Church. To put your trust in the Lord is to never be alone. Yes, God is always with you, and that is never to be underestimated. However, you are not a Christian in isolation. The Lord put you into a congregation so that you would have people around you. Brothers and sisters in the faith. All part of one family, the Church.

Yes, widows need someone to be there. However, they are very good at being there for you when you need them, too. They've been through more than you can imagine, and they understand where you're at better than you do. And they can do so, because in their darkest hours, our Lord is there for them. They face the loss of death every day. But they can face it together with the One who has overcome death Himself. Jesus brings them into His Church so they will not be alone in this. Jesus brings you into His Church for the same reason.

If we live to ourselves alone, we will find this world a very lonely and empty place. But that's not who our Lord made us to be. When we hear those words of Absolution from our Lord, we do so with our brothers and sisters in the faith. When we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we do so shoulder to shoulder with our Church family. So that whenever you feel alone, not only do you have the Lord to turn to, you have His Church to turn to as well.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

No saint on earth lives life to self alone Nor dies alone, for we with Christ are one. So if we live, for Christ alone we live, And if we die, to Christ our dying give. In living and in dying this confess: We are the Lord's, safe in God's faithfulness. (LSB 747:1)

Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.