DAY 231
Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland
pastorrobert@paxpres.org
Week Thirty-three Saturday 31 October 2020
All Hallows Eve
Almighty and ever-living God, you have made all things in your wisdom and established the boundaries of life and death. Grant that we may obey your voice in this world, and in the world to come may enjoy that rest and peace which you have appointed for your people; through Jesus Christ who is Resurrection and Life, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen -The Book of Common Prayer.
The young people from the church arrived at the church gym dressed not as ghosts or goblins or comic book heroes, but as individuals in two categories from which they could choose: Biblical characters or select individuals from church history. They were required as part of their costume choice to have a very brief description of the person they chose ready to share with the rest of the youth group and adult sponsors present. It was a memorable and meaningful Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or All Saints Eve celebration, in that church in which I served as pastor over 40 years ago and before the advent of computer games introduced a plethora of alternate character choices for dress up on Halloween. Several came dressed as Martin Luther.
It was 503 years ago on 31 October 1517 that Luther posted his objections to false teachings promulgated by the Church of Rome. Thanks to the recent invention of movable type, they received wide distribution across all of Europe. At his trial for heresy, Luther concluded his remarks after being asked to recant with this memorable statement: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand – I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” While marred by wars, the Protestant Reformation changed the course of human history. This course correction by the Holy Spirit also touched the Roman Catholic Church through the Counter-Reformation.
To read the entire text of the “95 Theses” of Luther go to: luther.de
Reflective question: What would you say if asked to recant your core Christian beliefs?
Reflective Scripture: Romans 1:17 – “…’The righteous will live by faith…’” to which Luther added in the margin of his Bible, “ALONE!”
Reflective hymn:
“A Mighty Fortress is our God” – verse 2 – Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same and he must win the battle.
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