REFORMATION SUNDAY:
(1ST SUNDAY OF THE KINGDOM)
27 October 2013
Readings:
Key Verses (using the World English Bible):
Eph. 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”
John 8:31-32: Jesus said, “If you remain in my word… you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Reflection
We all know the story—the story of divine forgiveness up for sale, a list of theses nailed to a church door, religious turmoil and fracture, and the independence of a faith. The Protestant Reformation inaugurates the Season of the Kingdom.
The Reformation is perhaps one of the biggest blessings ever to come upon the Universal Church. For better or worse, it brought about a spirit of questioning, doubt, education, and eventually newer faith. If Socrates once said that the “unexamined life is not worth living”, I’d add that the “unexamined faith is not worth believing”. Yes, faith is trust, the “assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen”, as the letter to the Hebrews puts it, but this doesn’t mean we simply accept at face value the things we do see and are told. Had Martin Luther done that, perhaps today’s fad might be the trendiest indulgence instead of the latest smartphone.
How forgiveness and remission of sins came to be sold in the form of indulgences is a very complex issue. Whether Rome endorsed this openly, was ignorant of the matter, or even just silently looked the other way, is even more complex. Despite popular, and now laughable, marketing slogans such as the famous “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs”, Martin Luther (and a few before him) realized that if God truly is God, then money could never buy his mercy and love. Today’s passage from the letter to the Ephesians, regarding salvation solely by grace through faith—and not from ourselves or any of our works—became his rallying cry. He took a leap of faith, of that kind of faith, and set in motion the largest reform the Western Church has ever seen.
This was not without its flaws and unfortunate consequences. Breaking communion with Rome set the precedent that Christians who disagree with their denomination can simply secede—as opposed to seeking internal reform. This has hopelessly fragmented Christianity beyond any type of earthly repair. Furthermore, the Reformation was filled with decades of violence and bloodshed, ironic (or perhaps not) for God-seekers. And let’s not forget that Martin Luther himself, despite his brilliance, determination, and sincerity of faith, was also very anti-Semitic. But ultimately, I believe, more good than evil came from this time in our church’s history. The Reformation secured the freedom to question what you believe in, and the knowledge to explore why you believe in it.
The Season of the Kingdom, the last four or five weeks in the church year, are intended to prepare the Christian for Christ’s Second Coming, even as we are but weeks away from re-observing his First. The readings become more apocalyptic, in the truest sense of the word. The Church Triumphant, the Last Judgment, and the Reign of Christ will each take center stage as the Christian drama draws to a close. Reformation Sunday is a fitting way to begin the season, for, in every generation, the Universal Church needs to examine herself, to keep doing what she’s gotten right, and rethink what she’s gotten wrong. In this way, she opens the way for Christ’s word of truth to set her free and impart God’s free gift of saving grace—before Christ comes again.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, gracious Lord,
we thank you that your Holy Spirit
renews the church in every age.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people.
Keep them steadfast in your word;
protect and comfort them in times of trial;
defend them against all enemies of the gospel;
and bestow on the church your saving peace;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
—Collect for “Reformation Day” in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 58
Hymn: “A mighty fortress is our God”
(Words: Martin Luther, 1483-1546, based on Psalm 46; English translation by Frederick Henry Hedge 1805-1890; adapted by Joseph A. Soltero, 2013
Tune: ‘Ein feste Burg’, melody by Martin Luther; harmony by Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750)
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our help and shield amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing,
For still our ancient foe
Yet seeks to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruèl hate,
On earth he has no equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he,
Lord Sabaoth, his Name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word is, o’er all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abiding.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
For Christ is with us siding.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also,
The body they may kill,
God’s truth shall triumph still.
God’s kingdom is forever.
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