“What does this mean?”  I can remember as a child saying those words, pausing, taking a deep breath, and then getting ready to recite some part of Luther’s Small Catechism.

It really is a good habit for us to be reading our Small Catechism on a regular basis.  You know what I am talking about:  the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Keys and Confession, and Holy Communion along with Martin Luther’s answers to the questions he himself has asked.

This picture reminds me of a part of the Small Catechism called the Conclusion to the Commandments.  Here it is:  What does God say about all these commandments?  He says, “I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments.”

The little Japanese girl in this picture is named Hinata.  People lovingly call her Hinata-chan.  On September 10, 2008, when she was baptized, the Lord claimed her and called her His child.  He washed away her sins and put her little feet on the road to eternal life.

Hinata-chan is a third generation Christian.  Her grandparents believe in Jesus.  So does her mother.  So do her older brother and sister.  It is our prayer that Hinata-chan will always remain in the saving faith.  It is our prayer that in her lifetime she will be able to lead many others to the Light of the World.

It is our prayer that the Word of the Lord will be handed down in this Christian family generation after generation after generation . . .

Please pray for the people of Japan!