Reformation Sunday
The Meaning for today’s world
Pastor Mary
We live in an incredible world. There is so much beauty and kindness, and kindred spirits among us. God has placed us in the midst of a garden of things that delight our eyes, our hearts and our spirit. The world can seem like a hard, dark place. We
face daily struggles personally as well as relationally. Things affect us from the political world, the natural world, the world where hatred and evil seem to invade our senses, our minds, and stab at our hearts. But we can move through these things strongly!
We can react in many ways to the things that disturb us and others. We can retreat, we can fight, we can ignore…the choices are endless. But we as Christ followers, God lovers, Spirit dwellings, are given a better choice. We are called to reform, just as Martin Luther was called over 500 years ago.
I believe that we are continually called to reform, perhaps its not in such a seemingly huge way, but still
we are called to reform in impactful ways. I believe that every thing we do or don’t do impacts the world; every choice we make effects not only ourselves, our church, our community, but our entire world. Our “vote” counts, and what I mean by that is our “choices” count.
First, I believe we need to reform our hearts on a daily basis. The trauma, the drama, the worry, the anxiety, the hurt, the grief we experience is very real. We should not dismiss those feelings, but as we tread the waters of sadness, we are asked to experience the water as life giving, and not drown in the water of despair. We are called to drink from the water, let it refresh us, even as we mourn, swim through and come to the other side.
We can do this because God is with us, the community of faith is with us, and we can too help others to do the same. I think a reformation that the world needs today is to know that God is in charge, He is everywhere, He is loving. We need to remember that we are a part of Him. He is in, with, and under us —supporting, guiding, loving us, and asks us to do the same with each other. In fact to do this with everything of creation.
With that strength, His strength, and His love shared with each other, we can move to build the kingdom as He directs well. Will this mean action? Yes, be doers…in word and deed. Sometimes the action will be small, sometimes we are called to the larger task. But we are not alone in the work and it can be joyous!
That is the Reform we learn today. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, including reforming our focus! Be built up, Memorial. Nothing is too big for our God and with Him we too can bring about change and bring peace. Our choice counts! Choose God, give thanks, find strength and peace to face all things, do all things, be all things. Even if we fall the first time, we can keep doing our best again and again. Remember how many failures it takes for success. As the great Reformer built his battle on the words, “By Grace we have been saved”, we too can hold that in our working in the kingdom. Every mistake is covered and forgiven as we confess, repent, and relent, and go to try again.
God bless you; God bless Memorial; God bless our community; God bless our world. We are one. Love each other in the unity of the Spirit. Amen.