Trinity 2: The Great Banquet of Salvation
The Gospel Call Goes Out to All
Wisdom has issued an invitation to the divine feast: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov. 9:5–6). This is the call of the Spirit of Christ to believe the Gospel and to receive His saving gifts in the Holy Supper. Many make excuses and reject this invitation, even as the Jews did in the days of Jesus, yet the Master’s house will be filled. The Gospel call therefore goes out to the lowly and despised, into the highways, even to all the Gentiles (Luke 14:15–24). For “you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13–22). In Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow members of the household of God. The enmity of class and race is put to death through the cross. Having been reconciled in the one Body of Christ, we are enabled to love one another (1 John 3:13–18) as we await the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which will have no end. Source.
Collect
O Lord, since You never fail to help and govern those whom You nurture in Your steadfast fear and love, work in us a perpetual fear and love of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Introit
Antiphon: The LORD was | my support.* In the day of my ca- | lamity He brought me out into a | broad place;* He delivered me because He delight- | ed in me. (Psalm 18:18-19) Psalm: I will love You, O | LORD, my strength.* The LORD is my rock and my | fortress. For You will save the humble | people,* but will bring down | haughty looks. As for God, His way is | perfect;* the word of the LORD is | proven; I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the | Gentiles,* and sing praises | to Your name. (Psalm 18:1-2, 27, 30, 49)
Old Testament: Prov. 9:1-10 The Way of Wisdom
1(A) Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her(B) seven(C) pillars. 2She has(D) slaughtered her beasts; she has(E) mixed her wine; she has also(F) set her table. 3She has(G) sent out her young women to(H) call from(I) the highest places in the town, 4(J) “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” (K) To him who lacks sense she says, 5″Come,(L) eat of my bread and(M) drink of(N) the wine I have mixed. 6Leave(O) your simple ways,[a] and(P) live, (Q) and walk in the way of insight.” 7Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8(R) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; (S) reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9Give instruction[b] to a wise man, and he will be(T) still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will(U) increase in learning. 10(V) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and(W) the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Footnotes:Proverbs 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple Proverbs 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction Cross references:Proverbs 9:1 : Matt 16:18; 1 Pet 2:5; Eph 2:20-22 Proverbs 9:1 : Rev 1:4 Proverbs 9:1 : 1 Tim 3:15 Proverbs 9:2 : Matt 22:4 Proverbs 9:2 : Proverbs 23:30; Song 8:2 Proverbs 9:2 : Psalm 23:5; Luke 14:17 Proverbs 9:3 : Psalm 68:11; Matt 22:3; 23:34 Proverbs 9:3 : Proverbs 8:1, 2 Proverbs 9:3 : Proverbs 9:14; Proverbs 8:2; Matt 10:27 Proverbs 9:4 : Proverbs 9:16; Matt 11:25; 1 Cor 1:26 Proverbs 9:4 : Proverbs 6:32 Proverbs 9:5 : Song 5:1; Isa 55:1; John 6:27 Proverbs 9:5 : John 7:37 Proverbs 9:5 : Proverbs 9:2 Proverbs 9:6 : Proverbs 1:4 Proverbs 9:6 : Proverbs 9:11 Proverbs 9:6 : Proverbs 23:19 Proverbs 9:8 : Matt 7:6 Proverbs 9:8 : Psalm 141:5 Proverbs 9:9 : Matt 13:12 Proverbs 9:9 : Proverbs 1:5 Proverbs 9:10 : Proverbs 1:7 Proverbs 9:10 : Proverbs 30:3
Gradual
In my distress I cried / to the LORD,* and He / heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from / lying lips* and from a de- / ceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:1–2)
Epistle: 1 John 3:13-18
13Do not be surprised, brothers,[a](A) that the world hates you. 14We know that(B) we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15(C) Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that(D) no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16By this we know love, that(E) he laid down his life for us, and(F) we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But(G) if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet(H) closes his heart against him,(I) how does God’s love abide in him? 18Little children, let us not(J) love in word or talk but in deed and(K) in truth.
Footnotes:1 John 3:13 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God’s family, the church; also verses 14, 16 Cross references:1 John 3:13 : John 15:18; 17:14 1 John 3:14 : John 5:24 1 John 3:15 : Matt 5:21, 22 1 John 3:15 : Gal 5:21; Rev 21:8 1 John 3:16 : John 15:13 1 John 3:16 : Phil 2:17 1 John 3:17 : James 2:15, 16 1 John 3:17 : Deut 15:7 1 John 3:17 : 1 John 4:20 1 John 3:18 : Ezek 33:31; Eph 4:15 1 John 3:18 : 2 John 1; 3 John 1
Verse
Alleluia.* Alleluia. I will praise the LORD according to His / righteousness,* and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Alle- / luia. (Psalm 7:17)
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24
16But he said to him, (A) “A man once(B) gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he(C) sent his servant[a] to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20And another said,(D) ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in(E) the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24For I tell you,[b](F) none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Footnotes:Luke 14:17 Greek bondservant; also verses 21, 22, 23 Luke 14:24 The Greek word for you here is plural Cross references:Luke 14:16 : For Luke 14:16-24, Matt 22:2-14 Luke 14:16 : Isa 25:6 Luke 14:17 : Esth 6:14; Prov 9:3, 5 Luke 14:20 : Deut 24:5 Luke 14:21 : Luke 14:13 Luke 14:24 : Matt 21:43; Acts 13:46
Offertory
Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! (Psalm 6)
Excerpt from a Sermon by Martin Luther on Trinity 2
These words are the conclusion and summary of this Gospel lesson, that those, who are the most certain and wish to taste of this supper, shall not taste of it. The reason you have heard. Therefore in brief, the guests, who are here invited and came not, are those who imagine they could obtain the supper through their own works, they greatly exert themselves and are sure of their cause, they wish to taste of the supper. But the Lord concludes with powerful words and says: “That none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper.” Why then, dear Lord? They have done nothing bad and neither have they been occupied with false teachings. Why, the reason is that they have denied the faith, and did not publicly confess it before everybody, and did not esteem this rich and expensive supper above all creatures, For since it is costly and precious, it therefore also requires something from the people who esteem it so, and it puts them under some, obligation, be it what it may. See, that is the sense of this Gospel text briefly considered. Whoever desires to develop it further may do so. Source: The Sermons of Martin Luther, Volume IV:33-38, published by Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI).
Extant Bach Cantatas for Trinity 2
Text and Performance of BWV 76 (Performance follows after the text)
| Cantata for the Second Sunday after Trinity | |
| Erster Teil1. Chor Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, und die Feste verkündiget seiner Hände Werk. Es ist keine Sprache noch Rede, da man nicht ihre Stimme höre. (Psalm 19:2,4) |
Part One1. Chorus The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. There is no speech or language, where their voice is not heard. |
| 2. Rezitativ T So läßt sich Gott nicht unbezeuget! Natur und Gnade redt alle Menschen an: Dies alles hat ja Gott getan, Daß sich die Himmel regen Und Geist und Körper sich bewegen. Gott selbst hat sich zu euch geneiget Und ruft durch Boten ohne Zahl: Auf, kommt zu meinem Liebesmahl! |
2. Recitative T Thus God does not leave Himself unwitnessed! Nature and grace speak to all mankind: God has indeed done all this, so that the heavens move and spirits and bodies stir themselves. God Himself has leaned down to you and calls to you through countless messengers: rise up, come to My feast of love! |
| 3. Arie S Hört, ihr Völker, Gottes Stimme, Eilt zu seinem Gnadenthron! Aller Dinge Grund und Ende Ist sein eingeborner Sohn: Daß sich alles zu ihm wende. |
3. Aria S Hear, you people, God’s voice, hasten to His throne of grace! The source and end of every thing is His only begotten Son: so that all might turn to Him. |
| 4. Rezitativ B Wer aber hört, Da sich der größte Haufen Zu andern Göttern kehrt? Der ältste Götze eigner Lust Beherrscht der Menschen Brust. Die Weisen brüten Torheit aus, Und Belial sitzt wohl in Gottes Haus, Weil auch die Christen selbst von Christo laufen. |
4. Recitative B Yet who listens, when the greatest crowds turn to other gods? The willful desires of the oldest idols rule the hearts of mankind. The wise are hatching foolishness, and Belial sits right in God’s house, since even Christians themselves run from Christ. |
| 5. Arie B Fahr hin, abgöttische Zunft! Sollt sich die Welt gleich verkehren, Will ich doch Christum verehren, Er ist das Licht der Vernunft. |
5. Aria B Away, idolatrous guild! Although the world be perverted, yet I will honor Christ, He is the light of reason. |
| 6. Rezitativ A Du hast uns, Herr, von allen Straßen Zu dir geruft Als wir im Finsternis der Heiden saßen, Und, wie das Licht die Luft Belebet und erquickt, Uns auch erleuchtet und belebet, Ja mit dir selbst gespeiset und getränket Und deinen Geist geschenket, Der stets in unserm Geiste schwebet. Drum sei dir dies Gebet demütigst zugeschickt: |
6. Recitative A You have, Lord, from all paths called us to You as we sat in heathen darkness, and, as light enlivens and refreshes the air, we are also enlightened and enlivened, indeed with You Yourself fed and quenched and given Your spirit, which continually hovers in our souls. So may this prayer be humbly delivered to You: |
| 7. Choral Es woll uns Gott genädig sein Und seinen Segen geben; Sein Antlitz uns mit hellem Schein Erleucht zum ewgen Leben, Daß wir erkennen seine Werk, Und was ihm lieb auf Erden, Und Jesus Christus’ Heil und Stärk Bekannt den Heiden werden Und sie zu Gott bekehren! (“Es woll uns Gott genädig sein,”, verse 1) |
7. Chorale May God be gracious to us and grant us His blessing; may His countenance, with bright radiance, shine upon us for eternal life, that we may recognize His work, and what is dear to Him on earth, and that Jesus Christ’s blessing and strength be known to the heathens and convert them to God! |
| Zweiter Teil8. Sinfonia9. Rezitativ B Gott segne noch die treue Schar, Damit sie seine Ehre Durch Glauben, Liebe, Heiligkeit Erweise und vermehre. Sie ist der Himmel auf der Erden Und muß durch steten Streit Mit Haß und mit Gefahr In dieser Welt gereinigt werden. |
Part Two8. Sinfonia9. Recitative B God still blesses the faithful flock, so that His honor, through faith, love, and holiness, they might display and magnify. They are heaven on the earth and must, through constant battle with hatred and danger, become purified in this world. |
| 10. Arie T Hasse nur, hasse mich recht, Feindlichs Geschlecht! Christum gläubig zu umfassen, Will ich alle Freude lassen. |
10. Aria T Just hate me, hate me well, enemy race! To embrace Christ faithfully, I will abandon all joy. |
| 11. Rezitativ A Ich fühle schon im Geist, Wie Christus mir Der Liebe Süßigkeit erweist Und mich mit Manna speist, Damit sich unter uns allhier Die brüderliche Treue Stets stärke und verneue. |
11. Recitative A I feel already in my spirit how Christ reveals the sweetness of His love to me and nourishes me with manna, so that among us here brotherly loyalty is constantly renewed and strengthened. |
| 12. Arie A Liebt, ihr Christen, in der Tat! Jesus stirbet für die Brüder, Und sie sterben für sich wieder, Weil er sich verbunden hat. |
12. Aria A Love, Christians, through your deeds! Jesus died for his brothers, and they die again for each other, since He has bound them together. |
| 13. Rezitativ T So soll die Christenheit Die Liebe Gottes preisen Und sie an sich erweisen: Bis in die Ewigkeit Die Himmel frommer Seelen Gott und sein Lob erzählen. |
13. Recitative T So should Christianity praise God’s love and make it manifest in themelves: until in eternity the heaven of devout souls proclaim God and His praise. |
| 14. Choral Es danke, Gott, und lobe dich Das Volk in guten Taten; Das Land bringt Frucht und bessert sich, Dein Wort ist wohlgeraten. Uns segne Vater und der Sohn, Uns segne Gott, der Heilge Geist, Dem alle Welt die Ehre tu, Für ihm sich fürchte allermeist Und sprech von Herzen: Amen. (“Es woll uns Gott genädig sein,” verse 3) |
14. Chorale May You, o God, be thanked and praised by people in good works; the earth brings forth fruit and improves itself, Your word is flourishing. May the Father and the Son bless us, may God, the Holy Spirit, bless us, to Whom all the world gives honor, and Who is held in the greatest awe and let us heartily say: Amen. |
| Psalm 19:2,4 (mov’t. 1); “Es woll uns Gott genädig sein,” verses 1 and 3: Martin Luther 1524 (reworking of Psalm 67) (mov’ts. 7, 14) | |
Ton Koopman: just awesome! No bias here:
Mark (Marinus) Veenman
Such a beautiful picture of the CPH dinning room!!!
Roger, don’t be silly. That is a picture of my personal dining room at CPH.