All Saints- Hebrews 12:1; Jude 3

 All Saints Day is one of the great celebrations of the Church. This feast reflects a long development from the early years of Christian history through the centuries. In the New Testament, there was already a strong sense of community, communion, and continuity among believers. Christians shared with one another, interceded for one another, gave thanks for one another, and honored the witness and example of the faithful who had gone before. They had the sense of being surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1); they also knew that they must continue to "contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). All Saints Day is a celebration of the Christian faith from Biblical times to the present and beyond. Let us rejoice in the heritage of the saints, and by divine grace, let us seek to be saints who pass the Christian faith on to others!

Reformation Sunday (Trinity XXII)- Romans 3:28

On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther posted the Ninety-five Theses for debate about these issues. Luther and other Reformers rediscovered the neglected Scriptural teaching that pardon and justification come to us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. One key verse where we find this teaching is in Romans 3::28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (KJV). 

Fallen human beings cannot earn pardon or justification. Only God's grace and forgiving mercy can save us from sin. This grace and mercy have been expressed in many ways, primarily through the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He humbled Himself, came into this world, lived, taught, suffered, died, and arose from the dead in order to conquer sin and death and to redeem us. 

Sometimes, Anglicans speak of being "reformed catholic," but it is not always clear what they mean by the expression. Martin Luther and other 16th-century Reformers rediscovered the biblical, catholic, and evangelical faith taught by Scripture and the early Church, and the English Reformation accepted these basic insights. The English Reformers tried to apply Luther's insights in an English context. They showed respect for both the ancient Catholic tradition and the evangelical insights of Luther and his followers.

Contemporary Anglicans should acknowledge this Reformation heritage. Anglicanism without the influence of Luther and other Reformers has no reason to continue as a distinct form of Christianity. So on another anniversary of the Reformation, let us reaffirm that justification comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This central teaching of the Bible is the basis for being truly catholic and truly reformed.  And this faith should be a living reality in our daily life and devotion! 

Trinity XXI- John 4:46-54

The Gospel for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity comes from John 4:46-54.  A "nobleman" or "official" wants Jesus to come and heal his critically ill son. Perhaps surprisingly, our Lord does not agree to come. Instead, He comments on the excessive popular desire for outward signs and assures the man that his son will be healed and live. 

There are many different ways that God's healing power and grace work through Jesus Christ.  On this occasion, our Lord makes a striking point. He notes the excessive human dependence on signs and wonders. Of course, Jesus Christ does perform many signs and wonders, and they are a real and important expression of His work. However, human beings have tendencies to become too focused on dramatic externals and to ignore the underlying essentials: the power of the divine word and the response of faith. In this healing, there is simply a word from Jesus, a declaration that the father's prayer for his son is answered.  To this word, the official responds in faith. This encounter serves to teach us that God in Christ can use various means to reach out in His grace. And sometimes, as in this case, we simply need to have faith in Christ and His word.

 

Trinity XX- Ephesians 5:15-21

The Epistle for this Sunday is from Ephesians 5:15-21, and it is part of a series of readings from this letter during this part of the church year. All of these selections have a two-pronged emphasis: sound doctrine about Christ and a devoted Christian way of life. These two points are not separate because, as the Apostle teaches repeatedly, a truly Christian way of life is a result of basic beliefs about God's redeeming work in Christ.

Ephesians 5:15 says, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...." Here St. Paul begins an emphasis on wisdom. (This is similar to certain points in Colossians 4:5 and 3:16-17). This wisdom is not some generic humanistic wisdom; it is the wisdom of the Christian walk or way of life. It stands in contrast to the general wisdom of the pagan world, which is really foolishness. The Christian wisdom that the Apostle promotes is based on the divine wisdom manifested in Jesus Christ.

Walking in such wisdom, Christians will be "redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16). The world is fallen and corrupt, and Christians are to make the best use of the time we have here. So in Ephesians 5:17, Paul exhorts, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." The way to true wisdom is not through some pagan philosophy or some mysterious cult; the way to true wisdom is to know and follow God's will revealed in Scripture and most especially in His Son Jesus Christ and His redeeming work.

The will of the Lord is true wisdom. So let us focus on this true wisdom found through faith in Jesus Christ and living according to His teachings. Through Christian faith and life, we do our small part in redeeming our time in a fallen world.

St. Michael and All Angels- 29 September- Revelation 12; Matthew 18 (Trinity 18)

This year Trinity XVIII is also the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. The origin of the feast of St. Michael the Archangel goes back to fifth-century Rome when a church in the region was dedicated in honor of St. Michael. This feast became very popular in medieval England, and when the sixteenth-century reformers simplified the church calendar, this was the only observance dedicated to angels that was retained.

In Scripture, angels are mentioned many times. For example, the Gospel from Matthew 18:10 refers to the guardian angels of children. St. Michael and his angels are mentioned in today's reading from Revelation 12:7 ff. Michael the archangel is also mentioned in Daniel 12 and the Epistle to Jude. He is the warrior angel who defends God's people from the Devil. While we would certainly want to avoid superstitions and the distorted angel worship that St. Paul warns about in Colossians 2:18, Christians should recognize and honor the work of St. Michael and all the angels. Angels are spiritual beings created by God, and they are at work in the universe to praise God and to aid His people. We should remain open to their continuing assistance in our spiritual development.

Trinity XVII- Luke 14:1-11

 The collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity speaks of God's grace preventing and following us. In modern English, this use of the verb prevent is archaic and interesting. Here the word is used in the original Latin sense, "come before" (a sense that still exists in some other languages). Beyond that bit of trivia, the real reason to appreciate this collect is that it reminds us that we are surrounded by grace, and that it is only through such divine grace that we can do any good works.

Today's Gospel from Luke 14:1-11 is a passage rich in spiritual applications. In it, we see Christ having the Sabbath meal with a group of Pharisees. This religious and social situation becomes the occasion for two messages to the Pharisees. These two messages still apply to us. 

First, there is the message taught by Christ's healing of the sick man on a Sabbath. Jesus responds to the man with compassion and points out that an act of compassion takes precedence over our human rules- even if our rules originally have a good devotional purpose. Secondly, in view of human pettiness in seeking social honors, our Lord emphasizes the need for humility. True honor does not come from self-promotion; it comes from a humble attitude rooted in faith. May the divine grace which surrounds us lead us into greater compassion and humility!

Trinity XVI- Luke 7:11-17

The Gospel for the day is from St. Luke 7:11-17. This selection is one example of our Lord's compassionate work- the restoration to life of the son of a widow from the village of Nain. Certainly, the death of a young person can cause a strong emotional response. However, in this case, let us notice that Christ's compassion is more focused on the woman. Her situation is especially desperate. The young man is her only son, and she is already a widow. In first-century society, the loss of her son means that she is being left alone and without livelihood or protection. Thus, in compassion, our Lord uses His divine power to raise the young man and restore him to his mother. 

We should also notice the crowd's reaction to this miracle. They are fearful when they see the divine power at work through Jesus, and they glorify God for the work of Christ. Thus, Christ's compassion is important in itself, but it also points beyond itself to the power and rule of God. In Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom of God comes into the world in powerful new ways. The presence of God in Jesus Christ calls for awe and praise.

On this Sunday then, as we notice the mercy and compassion of God for His people, let us also notice that God's work in Christ calls for appropriate responses. The divine work of Jesus Christ should lead us to awe, to praise, and ultimately to faith and gratitude.

Holy Cross Day- 14 September- Galatians 6:14

Holy Cross Day, also known as the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, is observed on September 14. It is one of the medieval feasts that is included as a "black letter day" or minor commemoration on the calendar of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. The 1962 Canadian BCP provides a Collect for Holy Cross Day and suggests the Epistle and Gospel for Passion Sunday (Lent V). The day is also referenced indirectly in the 1928 American BCP (page li) and wherever the autumnal Ember Days have continued to be observed. These traditional days of special prayer for Christian ministry occur on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday following Holy Cross Day.

While many Anglicans do not accept all the ancient legends and medieval accretions associated with this festival, Holy Cross Day can be a useful reminder. The cross is a basic symbol of Christianity, and good theology is centered on Christ's cross. In a sense, every day is a holy cross day for Christian believers. We have been baptized into the cross of our Lord, we continue to be saved by the work Christ performed on the cross, and we anticipate the final triumph of the Crucified Savior and our heavenly fellowship with Him. It is appropriate for us to pause and give thanks that the horrible instrument of death has been transformed by God's redeeming work in Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:14, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

Trinity XV- Matthew 6: 24-34

The Gospel for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity is from St. Matthew 6:24-34. The reference to God's providence or provision is appropriate for the changing of seasons and harvest time. Yet, this Scripture speaks of more than nature or the harvest. It points us to divine providence and mercy in all their forms. Every aspect of creation depends on God for its existence and survival. God watches over and cares for the birds and the wildflowers. He gives them good things. How much more must the Creator care for human beings created in His image, especially for His faithful people! Therefore, God expects a faithful response from us. We must cast aside faithless anxieties. We must reject the idolatry of mammon or materialism. God calls each of us to place God's kingdom and His righteous standards first if we wish to know a truly meaningful life in this world and the next.

Trinity XIV- Luke 17:11-19

 Like last Sunday's Gospel, today's  Gospel from St. Luke 17:11-19 shows a Samaritan in a positive light. Last week in St. Luke 15, the Good Samaritan in the parable showed great moral sensitivity by being a neighbor to the man who had been robbed and beaten. This week, the Samaritan leper shows great gratitude and devotion.

As Jesus passed through a village on the way from Galilee to Jerusalem, "There met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed " (St. Luke 17:12-14). Of the ten, only one bothered to glorify God and thank Jesus, the Samaritan. Christ emphasized this point, and then "he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole"(17:19). So the despised Samaritan who had also been a contagious and disfigured leper becomes the great example of faith in God and in Christ.

This event makes a significant point. Not only can a despised person exemplify good moral behavior, but such a person may also exemplify great religious faith. And faith is the ultimate issue. Regardless of all other human characteristics, faith in God through Christ is the core of a person's identity. Physical health, nationality, or membership in a certain religious group are less important than a person's faith in and gratitude toward God.

Thus, as we think about the basic identity of other people we encounter, we should think of their attitude toward God rather than obvious external characteristics. Furthermore, as we think about our own lives, we should not center our identity in worldly traits such as appearance, physical health, nationality, or denominational affiliation. Instead, we should ask ourselves whether we are humbly faithful and grateful to God for His work in Jesus Christ. For it is such faith that determines who we really are.

Trinity XIII- Faith and Love

 On the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, the Epistle from Galatians 3:16-22 and the Gospel from Luke 10:23-37 seem to be talking about very different aspects of religious teaching and experience. The Epistle highlights the importance of faith over the value of specific commands of the Law. The Gospel emphasizes the great commandments of the Law and the importance of loving actions toward God and neighbor. For many believers, the difficulty has been how to fit the two emphases together. Do we start with faith or with love?

In abstraction, love is paramount. God is love, and His dealings with human beings begin with His love. Human beings are called to respond to divine love. Because God first loves us, we are to love Him and our neighbors. This is beautiful, and it sounds simple, but in reality, loving God and our neighbors is not easy. It is complicated by the fact that human nature is fallen and corrupt. On our own, we are sinners who have lost the capacity to love as we should. 

This human condition means that love is not our first step. Our response to divine love must begin with repenting our lack of love followed by faith in God's love revealed in Jesus Christ. Without such faith, we are not really open to love. God's loving grace must first begin to transform us by creating faith in Him. Christian Faith then opens our hearts to love God in return. And as we begin to love God, we also begin to love our neighbors created by God. As Galatians 5:6 indicates, the core of the Christian life is "faith which worketh by love."

St. Bartholomew the Apostle- 24 August

 Bartholomew is one of the Twelve listed in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. His name means "son of Tolomai," and he may have had another name as well. An ancient tradition of the Eastern churches maintains that Bartholomew is the same disciple as Nathaniel mentioned in John 1:45-51. If so, his complete Aramaic name would be Nathaniel bar Tolomai. This disciple begins with a skeptical attitude about Jesus but soon makes a strong confession of faith. He does not receive much attention in Scripture, but Bartholomew is presumably included in comments about the Twelve. He probably came to understand Christ's redeeming work slowly and was transformed by the Resurrection and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. He became a faithful disciple and witness to Jesus, and he probably suffered martyrdom like most of the other apostles. In the 4th century, the church historian Eusebius recorded (Bk. 5, section 10) an early tradition that Bartholomew went to the east ("India"), preached, and left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Later traditions spoke of Bartholomew's preaching and martyrdom in Armenia.

Whatever the exact details of Bartholomew's later life and death, we can view him as an apostle who heeded Christ's call to follow Him in all situations. This apostle continued with Christ despite trials and was one who was offered a throne in Christ's kingdom (Luke 22: 28-30). Let us give thanks to God for the humble faith and ministry of Bartholomew and other workers for the kingdom!

Trinity XII- Mark 7:31-37

The Collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity emphasizes that God is the center of prayer. In other words, prayer is not primarily about us or others. It is an acknowledgement of God and His holy and gracious nature. We are inconsistent and weak in prayer as in other areas. So our focus must be on God. Although we are weak and sinful creatures, He is always ready to hear, forgive, extend His mercy, and give good gifts through Jesus Christ.

The Gospel from St. Mark 7:31-37 echoes the collect's emphasis on divine mercy and grace. It is the account of the healing of a deaf-mute. This miracle takes place in the Decapolis, a region east of the Jordan. In the first century, the region had both Jewish and pagan Greek-speaking inhabitants. This circumstance points to the significance of Christ's ministry for all people. The healing of deaf-mute of unspecified national origin also points to the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies (Isaiah 35:5 and Ezekiel 24:27). So this Gospel passage highlights the divine mercy and grace available to all people through Jesus Christ.

Trinity XI- Luke 18: 9-14

Both the Epistle and the Gospel for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity are rich passages that bring up several important themes. Among other things, the Gospel from Luke 18 emphasizes God's mercy toward humble and penitent sinners such as the tax collector. This theme of divine mercy is also emphasized in the opening words from the Collect of the Day: "O God, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity...."

Frequently, when we human beings think of divine power, we tend to think about creation, amazing miracles, extraordinary natural phenomena, or divine judgments against sin. We can certainly see manifestations of divine power in such things, and we should appreciate them. However, today's Gospel and the words of the collect point us in a very different direction. Although God's creative work and His justice are notable expressions of His power, His grace, pardon, and mercy are even more powerful. Like both the Pharisee and the tax collector, we are all sinners in one way or another. We all deserve judgment and separation from God. Nevertheless, God is loving and merciful, and if we are open to His grace expressed in Jesus Christ, then we can humbly repent, receive divine mercy, and be justified or set right with God. God's power is chiefly declared through His love, mercy, and compassion! That is certainly Gospel or Good News!

The Transfiguration of Christ- 6 August- Luke 9:28-36

The feast of the Transfiguration is based on a mysterious event from the Gospels (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke  9:28-36). This event provides one of the most distinctive and dramatic manifestations of Jesus' divinity. In the synoptic Gospels, our Lord takes Peter, John, and James up onto a mountain where He has a shining appearance during prayer. Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus, and a divine voice proclaims, "This is my beloved Son; hear him" (Luke 9:35).

Despite its clear biblical basis, this commemoration has not always received very much emphasis. It was only a few years before the Reformation that the Latin church began to observe the Transfiguration as a universal feast on August 6. In liturgical simplifications after the Reformation, the Feast of the Transfiguration was removed from many calendars, including the calendar of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It was restored but only as a minor commemoration or "black-letter day" in the 1662 BCP. The celebration was restored more fully and provided with "propers" as a feast of our Lord in the 1928 BCP. Some recent Anglican calendars have adopted the Lutheran custom of observing the Transfiguration on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. 

The Transfiguration of Christ is significant whenever we observe it. It shows that Christ's Gospel continues the Law and the Prophets. It illustrates that Christ's authority remains after Moses and Elijah have faded from view. It manifests our Lord's great inner glory and approval by God the Father. It is also a reminder that the Son of Man must suffer before His glory is more fully revealed (Matthew 17:12).