This Week at Mt. Olive

Today's Gospel in Mark 10 presents us with a dilemma.  The man who approaches Jesus is confident he has kept what we normally call the Second Table of the Ten Commandments, those dealing with service to our neighbor.  "All these I have kept from my youth," the man replied to Jesus' quizzing on the commandments.  Jesus then tells the man the one thing lacking:  "Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Jesus' quizzing reveals something tragic in the man.  It's easy for us to identify the man's shortcoming in the First Table, commandments 1-3.  Yet, by failing in commandments 1-3, what happens?  He cannot care for the poor, his neighbor, and thus fails in the Second Table, too.

The man evidently was an expert in the Law, making most of our attempts to know God's Law to be rather puny.  If he's in trouble, we've failed equally in the keeping of the Law.  There is nothing for us on which to stand.  What is our only hope?

It's the one who stands before the man, the called good because He is God.  It's Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the main theme of the book of Mark.

Lord Jesus Christ, in our frailties we fall far short of keeping even one dot of the Law.  Bring us to Your mercy to see Your forgiveness and, having received Your grace, bring us to care for the poor and downtrodden - our neighbor.  For Your mercy's sake.  AMEN

Prayer Concerns:

Sue Catherman - recovering at home

Pat Walker's father

Lucinda Rodela, Kaitlin (friend of Jeremy Kots)

Stephanie Dube and Derek Wilson who were married this past week

Those who serve in our armed forces and their families:  Rob Vadney

Ann Cleveland, Ruby Rieder, Burt and Doris Nelson, Ellie Reiners, Walter and Pearly Theiss

The Long Range Planning process Mt. Olive begins next Sunday

Our brothers and sisters in the faith at Faith Lutheran Church, Aransas Pass, and Pastor Jim Sturgis

Don't forget the Long Range Planning meeting on Sunday, October 21, after late service.  Lunch is being ordered.

Trunk Treat Night will be held this year on Wednesday, October 31.  Look for a beginning time in the next couple of days.

I will be out of the office Monday after about 11 a.m. for Jury Duty.

This Week at Mt. Olive:

Monday, October 15

6:00 p.m.

Zumba

6:30 p.m.

Board of Elders

Tuesday, October 16

4:30 p.m.

Adult Information

6 p.m.

Jr. Confirmation Instruction

7 p.m.

LWML

Wednesday, October 17

8:30 a.m.

School Chapel - the Sixth Commandment

9:30 a.m.

Bible Study - Job

7:30 p.m.

Why Does It Matter (Barnes and Noble), Topic to be announced

Sunday, October 21

8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Divine Service

9:15 a.m.

Sunday School, Bible Class

Noon - 2 p.m.

Long Range Planning

4 p.m.

Hymn Festival, St. Paul, Bishop

God bless!

PKJ