Month: October 2016

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With a Loud Voice

Text: Revelation 14:6-7
Date: Reformation (Observed) + 10/30/16

The best comment I’ve seen about Martin Luther and the Reformation lately shows Luther hammering his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church door. Apparently, some men have asked him what he was doing. Luther turns and looks at them and responds, “Oh, the door is fine, I’m just fixing your theology!” It was the eve of All Saint’s Day in the year 1517, 499 years ago. It was but the beginning of fixing or reforming the Church’s theology. It was not an easy or short process. In fact, it wasn’t until another 13 years passed that the Lutheran Augsburg Confession was delivered in 1530, and yet another 63 years that the entire Book of Concord was published in 1580. Continue reading “With a Loud Voice”

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I Trust When Dark My Road

Text: Genesis 4:1-5
Date: Pentecost XXIII + Proper 25 + 10/23/16

This day we entered into the gates of God’s presence singing, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Ps. 56:3), and in the Collect of the Day we prayed, “forgive us those things of which our conscience is afraid” (Collect). Afraid. Fear. It seems we never run out of things or occasions to be afraid of, to make us fear. To come here and sing and pray rightly we must first admit our fear and need of forgiveness and mercy. Some will not make such an admission but instead will put on a proud face, deny any such weakness as fear with the result of remaining deaf to God’s invitation of mercy and quite defenseless when troubles multiply. The Pharisee in today’s Gospel could not admit his need or even recognize it taking pride in his own self-righteousness. Only the penitent lowly tax collector was moved simply to plead for God’s mercy because he knew his need of forgiveness. The result says our Lord, only the tax collector was justified before God and not the other who exalted himself. Continue reading “I Trust When Dark My Road”

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I Will Not Let You Go

Text: Genesis 32:22-30
Date: Pentecost XXII + Proper 24 + 10/16/16

Almighty God has not only commanded us to pray but also has promised to hear us. Jesus’ parable, says St. Luke, is meant to teach us not only always to pray but also never to lose heart (Luke 18:1-8). Our prayers arise out of an awareness of our need. But they are not to dwell on that need. Rather they must attach themselves firmly to the promises and power of God to meet that need. Therefore, today’s Introit began, “Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed.” “Have regard for the covenant,” that is, God’s own word and purpose and promise of grace and mercy. The mini-drama of the widow continually pleading to the unrighteous judge reminds us how faith never gives up even when it seems either that God is not listening or that He is slow to respond. The strange story of Jacob wrestling with God was chosen as commentary on Jesus’ parable. Continue reading “I Will Not Let You Go”

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Amazing Faith

Text: Ruth 1:1-19a
Date: Pentecost XXI + Proper 23 + 10/9/16

We have been hearing a lot about faith in recent weeks, especially that it’s not the so-called “strength” of our faith that makes any difference but the fact of faith in the promises of God. Today when we speak of “Amazing Faith” therefore we are not implying that some faith is more amazing than others but the fact that any faith is an amazing thing. Continue reading “Amazing Faith”