REFORMATION SUNDAY
PENTECOST XXI
October 25, 2020
“God’s Grace . . . God’s Gift”
“. . . since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . .” (Romans 3:23, 24)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God —-“ (Ephesians 2:8)
Reformation Sunday is the very best day of the year to be a Lutheran. Our music trumpets forth a message of confidence and trust that God will give us refuge, protecting us and giving us courage in the face of danger. The scripture readings tell us that our salvation is a gift we receive through faith in Christ Jesus, and that faith itself is a gift from God. We also remember and give thanks for the life’s work of Martin Luther, whose scholarship and dedication to his calling brought about changes of historic proportions.
We’ll be celebrating this special day in what is now becoming a familiar format — virtual worship. Listening to the lessons, the sermon, and the prayers is the best we can do at this time, but we’re continuing to learn that a congregation exists even when people aren’t under the same roof. To share in faith with one another, to be assured that we are forgiven sinners, and to recall the promise of our Lord that he would never leave or forsake us, keeps us together as a faith community.
As the Church of Rome was the dominating religious and secular force in the 16th century, very few people, even including clergy, had the ability or opportunity to read the Bible. Understanding what God required of them, how to obtain salvation, and simply what it meant to be a Christian was beyond their comprehension. The church and government authorities kept them ignorant and fearful, and breaking out of such limiting circumstances would appear impossible.
But times were changing, and science, art, music and literature were bursting forth as a Renaissance began and gained momentum. This changing atmosphere, along with a consuming desire to determine God’s will for him, spurred Martin Luther to delve deeply into scriptures, to study, to meditate and to pray for God’s guidance. This man, who for years had felt so unworthy, so unable to deserve love or forgiveness, read the words, “by grace you have been saved” and he understood that God’s grace is a free gift and a means by which we are put in right relationship with him.
There is much more to learn about the life and leadership of Luther, of ways in which the Reformation came about and its widespread influence. For instance, while isolated in safety for most of a year at Wartburg Castle, Luther translated the New Testament into German. Almost simultaneously, the printing press was invented, and in a short time, Bibles were available to those able to read. Literacy became very important, the demand for learning grew, and of course, that meant that more works were published and knowledge was spread.
Posting a list of subjects that needed to be debated and discussed was not the most unusual event of October 31, 1517, but what began that day reverberated around the world and down through the centuries. Controversy swirled about Luther and those in agreement with him, and changes were inevitable. When charged with heresy and brought before a group of church and state authorities in 1521, his response is one that also rings out over time:
“My conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, for going against my conscience is neither safe nor salutary. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers