Spanish 
Thoughts from DA Kolb
Our inner health and growth come from a continued learning of Jesus Christ and His kingdom which, in turn, kindles a deeper love for Him and also those He loves—our neighbors. Naturally, this is only possible when one first realizes that they have not yet grown to the spiritual maturity that Christ expects (ref. Ephesians 4:15). Only then can they accept the teaching of the gospel, the preaching of the divine word, the magnitude of the sacraments, and the warm, nurturing embrace of fellowship. Our relationship with Christ, growing in His mind, must lift us up to a different level of living—a newness of life—wherein we perceive the world around us, as well as situations in our own lives, differently.
Allow me to reflect on one example from a recent divine service concerning the woman with the issue of blood. You recall that she was healed by touching the garment of Christ, after which He said: "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace" (Luke 8:48). What a wonderful greeting—"Daughter." This indicated that, because of her faith, the woman had entered into a new relationship with Christ. In this relationship, the healing was simply the preliminary step; this greeting and the words "Go in peace" indicated something much deeper. Because of her illness, which rendered her unclean according to the law, she was isolated from the community—and also from God—as she could not gather with others in the temple. Now, after her encounter with Christ, she could re-enter into the community and live a new life in harmony with God and with her neighbors. Brokenness had been healed. Now changed, she could start afresh, confident in the peace of Christ.
Many today are obsessed with sinfulness, either accusing others for their actions, excusing themselves, or sometimes even being overwhelmed with guilt over their own sin. 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." By the sacrifice of Christ, God washes away the sins of the repentant sinners. But that is only the preliminary step! In the absolution we hear—"I proclaim unto you the glad tidings: in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the son of the living God, your sins are forgiven. (The next part also contains glad tidings!) The peace of the Risen One abide with you! Amen." This represents Christ "sending" the forgiven souls to go out and live anew in Him. We express our agreement with this sending and our longing to do it with our responding "Amen." By healing our brokenness, Jesus gives us the opportunity to change and to evolve; renewed, we enter into a newness of life.
"...And now, we shall celebrate Holy Communion." Do we fully grasp the impact of these blessed expressions proclaimed by the priest or apostle in the stead of Christ? If so, our encounter with Christ every Sunday is life-changing, as it was for this woman.