Readings for the day (Reformation Sunday, October 31, 2021):
Dear friends in Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Amen.
This past summer was certainly dry – receiving no measurable rain for months. We can barely tell now, but this summer it was definitely noticeable. And it was quite obvious who watered their lawns and who did not. It certainly became noticeable when we decided to stop watering our lawn. As the excessive drought conditions continued, the blades of grass in our lawn turned from green to brown. I saw how quickly the drought sucked life out of our lawn. Meanwhile our neighbors’ lawns continued to stay green and grow. Especially since lawns being watered by a well were exempt from the city’s watering restrictions, many didn’t have to cease their lawn watering. Deciding to pause our lawn watering wasn’t necessarily the popular thing to do, especially as our lawn began to stick out like a sore thumb in the neighborhood. But we did realize that it was the right thing to do. And doing what is right, even when others disagree or think that you’re crazy, is the central theme of the whole reformation movement.
Today, October 31st is not only Halloween. It is also Reformation Day. A day set aside to recognize, to remember, and to replicate what was started in the church over 500 years ago. Martin Luther, a German monk turned priest sought to do what was right, despite what others thought or said about him.
504 years ago today, Luther posted his 95 Theses to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. A document that expressed his grievances with many of the practices of the Catholic church of his time, the church that he cared deeply about. Luther posted this document on October 31st because tomorrow, November 1st is All Saints Day – a holy day in the church in which many would be attending worship. So, an ideal time for many to see and read the grievances he had with the church.
One of his biggest issues with the church, was with the selling of indulgences. As Luther studied scripture, he realized that it is not our works that save us from eternal suffering, but rather our faith in Jesus alone. The selling of indulgences was disproportionately hurting the lower incomed families of society. They barely had enough money to pay for food, let alone buy an indulgence. But the message was so compelling that they gave up whatever savings or assets that they had, in order to purchase a piece of paper that supposedly would get them to heaven faster, saving them from their sins. Except this piece of paper was just that, a piece of paper. It didn’t mean anything, I guess except for funding the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
By nailing his 95 theses to the doors of the church, Luther was taking a chance. But he believed in doing what was right, despite what others thought or said. His work received so much flack from people in authority, that he was put on trial and was not only kicked out of the church for refusing to rescind his work, but permission was also granted for anyone to kill him. And yet, he was unwilling to recant because he felt so strongly in doing what was right, despite what others thought or said.
There are so many things that we have learned over the years from the whole reformation movement. A careful study of the Reformation shines light on the reality that Lutherans and Catholics can actually get along. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to see each other as partners in this mission that God has called us to – Lutherans and Catholics alike. Because the two most important things that we have learned from the Reformation is that one: It is not our works that save us, but rather our faith in Jesus and the work that Jesus did for us. It’s not what you have done, it’s what Jesus has done for you! And the second important thing we have learned is for us to stand up for what is right. Most of us would be unwilling to do what Luther did because peer pressure is a thing. And this it isn’t just a thing that kids deal with. Adults feel it too! We want to be included and liked. We don’t want to be left out or ignored. So, we’ll do what others are doing. We’ll talk the way others talk. We’ll participate in activities that our friends participate in.
The Reformation has taught us to do what is right, even if it isn’t popular. If you have a faith practice of praying before meals, do you do so at a restaurant as well? Or do you shy away from doing so because you’re worried what others might think or say about you? We are called to do the right thing, despite what others think or say about us.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel reading today, that in order to truly be His disciples, we are to continue in His Word. Putting our trust in Jesus, rather than relying on the world to save us. We’re reminded to place our full and complete faith and trust in God. Making Him a priority. Whatever that looks like for you. Whether you worship online or in-person, or if you study God’s Word in a group or read scripture on your own. We all have different ways in which we connect with God and express our faith. So maybe that is praying or setting aside some alone time with God, or even scheduling a regular spiritual check-in with a trusted friend. Whatever this looks like for you. Be you! And do the right thing, even if it isn’t popular. Make your faith a priority no matter what others think or say about you.
Luther saw how harmful it was for people wasting their money on a pointless piece of paper. And instead of being quiet and not upsetting the status quo, he did something about it. Because our faith in Jesus is more important than any friend or neighbor or family member thinks of us.
Even among the crowd and His own disciples, Jesus’ mission wasn’t a popular one. And yet, His mission was so important and so significant, that it didn’t matter what others thought or said. It was the right thing to do because it’s something that you can’t do for yourself. Jesus willingly does whatever, no matter the cost, and despite how unpopular it is, all for you. So that you may be given grace. Receiving forgiveness for all of your sins, including falling prey to peer pressure. And ultimately giving you life with God forever. Our faith and walk with God may not be all that cool or popular, but it is true, right, and freeing. Amen.
© 2021 Anthony Christoffels. All rights reserved.
The Rest for The Weary 