All Saints Sunday- Revelation 7:9-17, Hebrews 12:1, Jude 3

 In Lutheran tradition, late October and early November highlight two contrasting observances- Reformation Day and All Saints Day. On the one hand, commemorating Luther's 95 Theses and the beginning of the sixteenth-century Reformation of Western Christendom is a reminder that Lutheran Evangelicals are the original Protestants. On the other hand, the observance of All Saints points to the ways that Lutherans both maintain and reform "catholic" traditions.

Around All Saints Day, many Christians make references to departed saints. Some Christians stress invoking the prayers of the faithful departed. Other Christians fear that any observance of the day may be dangerous. Still others may mention the day as a generic memorial day for those who have died. 

However, traditional confessional Lutherans seek a more balanced or moderate approach. We maintain confessional teachings which we consider agreeable to the Holy Scriptures and consistent with the best teachings of the ancient church. We reject the medieval overemphasis on the role of past saints, while respecting their examples and recognizing a spiritual communion among all those who are faithful to Christ. As Revelation 7:9-17 illustrates, true believers from all groups and times praise God as those still on earth do daily and weekly. As Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and as Jude 3 exhorts us, we should keep contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

In Article XXI.1-5 of the Augsburg Confession, it is said that our churches teach that the faith and examples of the saints may be honored and followed according to our callings in life. However, we are not to invoke the saints or call upon them for help. Such a practice is not taught in Scripture, and it tends to weaken biblical teachings that Jesus Christ is our unique Mediator and Advocate. 

In conclusion, Lutheran doctrine and practice regarding the faithful departed strive to follow Scripture teaching while also maintaining meaningful ideas from the Christian tradition. We respect those who have preceded us in faith, and we seek to follow their good qualities. At the same time, we try to avoid unbiblical abuses that tend to creep into human practices. May divine grace keep us focused on the faith in Jesus Christ that we share with believers from all times and places!

Reformation Sunday- Justification by Faith- Romans 3:28

On the last Sunday in October, we commemorate the 1517 posting of Luther’s 95 theses against corruption and for sincere faith. The Reformation of the late medieval Church was and remains significant, both for world history and for Christianity. For those of us who consider ourselves Lutheran, Protestant, or generally Evangelical, this commemoration points to our basic Scriptural convictions.

The Reformation involved diverse issues, but the central theological point is in the Epistle reading from Romans 3:19-28. In particular, the Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." This verse is a concise statement of the message of the New Testament recovered at the Reformation.  The Gospel does not deny the true purpose of the Law or the desirability of good deeds. However, the core message concerns God’s forgiving and saving grace made available through faith in the unique work of Jesus Christ. Christians can and should value many aspects of our religious heritage, but we must always remain focused on Jesus Christ. By grace through faith in Christ, we are justified, or set right with God.

We are not saved by obtaining papers of indulgence. We are not saved by the papacy or by any particular ecclesiastical organization. We aren’t saved by the beauty of our forms of worship or the quality of our music. And as important as our good deeds are as a sincere fruit of faith, we are certainly not saved by our own efforts or goodness.

We are only forgiven, set right with almighty God, and saved from our fallen condition by Jesus Christ, God's unique Son, the eternal Word made flesh. Only Christ crucified and risen can give us the grace we need. Only belief and trust in Jesus Christ bring us wisdom, strength, and guidance for living a Christian life and being witnesses for Him in the world. Both Christian individuals and groups always need to be reformed in light of the Gospel.  We always need to hear and apply the message of justification by grace through faith. Daily, weekly, and yearly, we need to re-focus on Scripture and re-apply its message about our Lord Jesus Christ, both to the Christian Church and to our individual lives.

Pentecost 19 (year C proper 24)- 2 Timothy 3; Luke 18

 Our NT or epistle reading for this Sunday is about solid foundations and persistence. In 2 Timothy 3 & 4, the Apostle Paul speaks about holding fast to solid foundations in faith. Paul urges his younger colleague, Timothy, to remain persistent in his Christian faith and ministry. In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul tells his young colleague that the Scriptures can make him “wise unto salvation through faith” in Christ Jesus (KJV). Creating and sustaining faith in Christ is a central purpose of the Bible. Timothy has had a solid foundation in biblical teaching since childhood, but he must not take this foundation for granted; he must continue to pursue faithfulness to Christ and a deep devotion to Scripture.

The key verse is 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.” (KJV) In other words, the whole Bible is divinely inspired. Human copyists, translators, and interpreters can make mistakes, and readers may not understand or apply every word perfectly. Nevertheless, divine revelation is generally clear, and it is our infallible guide.

The Gospel for this Sunday from Luke 18:1-8 contains a striking teaching. Jesus tells the parable of the Unjust Judge, which teaches the value of persisting in prayer. The corrupt judge doesn’t care about his legal responsibility, but he eventually grants justice to a poor but persistent widow. The point of the parable is this: If even a corrupt human judge might be persuaded to hear the case of a powerless person, then we should certainly expect our just, gracious, and merciful heavenly Father to respond to our constant prayers for His blessings.

Thus, the Epistle and the Gospel for this Sunday highlight the value of persisting or persevering in basic Christian devotion. We must remain rooted in the teachings of Holy Scripture, and we continue to be constant in prayer. These two foundations guide and assist us in many areas of spirituality, morality, true piety, and service.

Pentecost 18 (year C proper 23)- 2 Timothy 2:1-13 Luke 17:11-19

On this Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the epistle reading is from 2 Timothy 2:1-13. The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy and us to be good soldiers of Christ. There are military, athletic, and farming comparisons to emphasize commitment and discipline.  At the end of the passage, Paul presents what some consider to be an early Christian creed emphasizing the centrality of the work of Jesus Christ.  2 Timothy 2:11-13 says, "Here is a trustworthy saying:  If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."

The Gospel selection is from Luke 17:11-19. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus passes between Samaria and Galilee. He is met by ten lepers who ask Him to have mercy. When they are healed on the way, only one returns to thank Jesus, and he is a Samaritan. This reminds us that divine grace and healing as well as faith and gratitude are not limited by human political or social boundaries. God in Christ cares for all, and the appropriate human response is grateful faith.

Pentecost 17(year C proper 22)- 2 Timothy 1; Luke 17:1-10

 For the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, the second or epistle reading is from 2 Timothy 1:1-14. At the beginning of this letter, the Apostle Paul reminds his fellow pastor of their heritage of faith and exhorts Timothy to remain a faithful and courageous witness to the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite any worldly difficulties, believers should hold on to and unashamedly follow the sound words of the Christian message.

The Gospel reading is from Luke 17:1-10. In these verses, Jesus begins with a warning about temptation. In this world, there will always be temptations, but Christ's followers must avoid being sources of temptation for others, especially for those who are weaker or more vulnerable. As believers, we must watch ourselves, rebuke evil we encounter, and be ready to forgive those who repent. In Luke 17:5, the apostles seem to fear that they lack sufficient faith to live this way, but our Lord assures them in symbolic language that even a little faith can be powerful through God's grace. 

Then in Luke 17:7-10, Christ exhorts His followers to pursue a life of humble service to God. Contrary to the human tendency to be too proud, Christians must accept their proper role in God's household. We should not expect great praise for simply doing our duty. As Luke 17:10 says, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do." (KJV) Such an attitude before God is the result of living faith and is the basis of true Christian living.