Reformation Sunday

Happy Reformation Sunday! Today we celebrate our Lutheran heritage, giving thanks for the reforming of the church that began with a monk named Martin Luther and continues today.

Reformation Sunday can often feel like “God bless the Lutherans” Sunday. What we are celebrating today, however, has little to do with a dead monk, a historical movement or even a denomination. What was at the heart of the reformation movement and the reason we celebrate is that we have a God who is with us, who grounds us in moments of chaos and who is the hope to which we cling when we cannot see a future past our present struggles.

Once the presence of this loving, ever-present God had washed over him, Luther could not keep silent. His set out to reform the church in order to make this God known and accessible to the people. The heart of Luther’s reformation movement was that God was with the people, loving them, forgiving them and saving them from death not by their own actions or merit, but by God’s free gift of grace manifest in Christ. Luther wanted all to know this good news.

It is this good news that is the crux of our celebration of the Reformation. It is a knowledge of God’s love, forgiveness and constant presence with us that is so transformative that we cannot keep silent about it. It isn’t about growing a denomination, but instead about offering hope to those who have been swept up in the chaos and cannot find a way out.

So, happy Reformation Sunday! Spread the good news. The God who created heaven and earth is a God of love. Jesus’ death and resurrection offers grace and forgiveness to all. God is reaching out to us - always and forever!