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Guest Writer: The Ven. Jessica Krzewina
There are very few things I will miss about the Lutheran world in which I grew up in. Actually, there are exactly two things I will miss:
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The words during communion: "The body of Christ broken for you; the blood of Christ shed for you."
- Reformation Sunday
If you want to have a conversation about the words spoken at Communion, drop me a line. But with the time [ie. space] I have here, I want to talk about Reformation Sunday. Martin Luther, on October 31, 1517, stood outside of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany and nailed his 95 Theses on the door.
Luther, a German monk and professor, was challenging the Roman Catholic Church's sale of indulgences, which were payments to reduce ones' punishments for sins, among other church corruptions.
Luther also introduced the idea of the five Solas:
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Sola Scripture - Scripture Alone
- Sola Fide - Faith Alone
- Sola Gratia - Grace Alone
- Solus Christus - Christ Alone
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Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone
Somewhere along the way, between 33AD and 1517AD, the church (as an institution) started getting things confused. Martin Luther wanted to bring the point back to Christ, with God in the center, back to where things belonged. So, Luther used what gifts he had at his disposal: the printing press, a hammer, and a church door. And 509 years later we are still remembering Luther's bravery and courage to stand up to injustice.
If we are being honest, 509 years later, the church (as an institution) is getting things wrong (still or again). We put rules above people. We put tradition above grace. We put money above mercy. We put idols above Jesus.
I am not saying it is time for another Reformation, but I am not NOT saying it's time for another reformation. I am saying that it is time to get back to our roots. To remember what Jesus taught and to disregard the things that are manmade, the things that we sometimes hold too close to the vest. [Hint: if you have to use the phrase, "we've always done it that way," maybe start there.]
Between now and next Reformation Sunday, watch for ways the Diocese of North Dakota is reforming the way we do ministry in the world. Watch for the ways where we shower our neighbors with unconditional love. Watch for the mini reformations that take place in the here and now. And when we go to celebrate Reformation Sunday 2027, maybe we will be a little bit closer to what the Kingdom of Heaven will be, this side of eternity.
Blessings abound,
Dn. Jess
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