Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Peace of the Lord be with you! The leaves on the trees are changing, people are putting on their jackets, and pumpkin spice flavors are all over the place. Somehow, the season of Fall always seems to sneak up on me. I know that Summer is supposed to come to an end at some point, but the temperature changes and falling leaves come so suddenly. Afterwards it feels like there is a nonstop rush into the Holiday season. Where there had been camping trips and bonfires, there are now pumpkin patch trips, candy corn, and Thanksgiving Day planning.
The Church of God is no different. The Church year is coming to an end. Before it ends, we pause to remember two incredibly important days: The Reformation and All Saints Day.
The Reformation seems like such a long time ago. In fact, we just celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! So much has changed since a German monk wrote the Ninety-Five Theses. Technology, language, medicine and education have all vastly changed in a way that would make Luther’s head spin. However, a few things have remained the same: Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia. Faith alone, Scripture alone, and Grace alone. These “Solas” have been unchanged in the life of the Lutheran Church. We have, and always will, rely on Faith, Scripture, and Grace alone.
Faith alone in Christ as our Savior, “All who believe and are baptized will be saved.” (Mk. 16:16)
Scripture alone reveals who God is, “For all Scripture is God breathed” (2 Tim 3:16)
Grace alone is what sent Christ to the cross to take the sins of the world, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29)
Throughout the Reformation, Martin Luther reclaimed the Gospel, the Good News that mankind was saved by grace through faith on account of Christ. Thanks be to God this is unchanging. There are no “seasons” to the grace of God. The Word of the Lord endures forever. It really is something worth pausing to celebrate.
It is worth celebrating especially as we remember All Saints Day. We set aside a day to remember those Saints who have gone before us in the Faith. They are people who have died and gone to be with Christ, and we remember that because God is always faithful, they are going to be with us in the New Kingdom.
Though you and I may cry at the deaths of our dear loved ones, they are with Christ. (2 Tim 2:11)
Even though death is all around us, Christ has defeated death. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
One day, Christ will come in His glory and His Kingdom will have no end. (Zechariah 14:9)
In the midst of so much change, as leaves fall and pumpkin spice fills the air, God is the constant. He is the One who holds the whole Earth. He has given us His Gospel so that we may know Him and become Children of God.
As Thanksgiving rolls around, may you and I join hands with our loved ones and give thanks to God. Thanks for family, friends, food, and fellowship. Let us also give thanks that the Word of God is unchanging, His love endures forever and one day you and I will be with our family in the New Kingdom. Thanks be to God.
God Bless,
Vicar Gonzalez-Feliciano