The 21st Week after Pentecost, 2022
Scriptures: Psalm 32:1-7; Luke 19:1-10
Key Verse: “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Happy Reformation!
Several weeks ago, an announcement was put out in the church’s newsletter reminding people to wear red on Reformation Sunday. Why is red designated as the liturgical color for this day? We are taught that red reminds us of those who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for their faith in Jesus. Red also symbolizes the Holy Spirit that constantly renews and leads the life of the church, not only in the past but also the present and the future.
Thus, the reformation that took place in the Western church in the 16th century still resonates with all believers who trust the same message that Jesus declared to Zacchaeus in Luke 19, “Today salvation has come to this house for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Many either assumed or were taught that they lost salvation because their faith practices weren’t good enough. Like Jesus reformed Judaism in the first century, many great theologians, courageous pastors and priests, and even powerful political leaders joined Martin Luther to reform Catholicism in the sixteenth century.
What are some of the faith practices you have integrated into your faith journey? In the Lutheran tradition, the following five faith practices are recited whenever we have a Baptism or Affirmation of Baptism through confirmation or receiving new members in worship:
1.) Live among God’s faithful people;
2.) hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper;
3.) proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed;
4.) serve all people following the example of Jesus;
5.) and strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Even though we all have been taught that we are saved by faith through God’s grace, do you think that there are still many doubting the assurance of salvation that God has given to believers? Sometimes, we Christians act like we are the saviors worrying that we haven’t done enough to save the lost. Sometimes, we simply desert the purpose of integrating faith practices in our lives. I found the wisdom from Martin Luther and St. Paul is helpful. Martin Lutheran said once that we bear good fruits since God has created us to be a good tree. And St. Paul reminds us that God loves it when the giver delights in the giving and gives us enough to do ministries in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
It’s not about how well or how much we integrate faith practice in our daily lives. But it is about practicing them by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. When we do so, God’s salvation becomes tangible at those moments when we give a hand to those in need and treat each other with dignity, when we greet God’s peace to one another, or when we unanimously and confidently say ‘amen’ to Good News proclaimed and prayers offered.
Our faith practices wouldn’t be meaningful if our salvation weren’t assured. Didn’t Jesus promise in Matthew 18:20, “When two or three gather in my name, I am with them." And because of this, for where Jesus is, there is God’s salvation just as what Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Before I committed to studying in a Lutheran seminary, I wasn’t sure if it was the right choice. My main concern was that I didn’t want Lutheranism to become my religion. So, my supervisor recommended that I take the Lutheran Confessional Heritage class to see if that was what I wanted. Unexpectedly, it was the most thought-provoking class that I had ever taken. There were about seven textbooks assigned for that class. I still remember how I highlighted authors’ thoughts and wrote my comments on most of my readings as if I had conversations with the authors. I didn’t get bored at all.
In that class, Dr. Kurt K. Hendel said that we as Lutherans are still called to reform the church when our theology and faith practices become obstacles that prevent people from trusting in what God has done and accomplished for us. That was the moment I knew I was in the right place to be equipped and prepared to be God’s messenger and to share Jesus’ message that is for all believers to pass it on.
I would like to invite you to join my prayers as I conclude this reflection. Please either touch or hold any object that is red while saying the prayer together. While praying, may we think of those who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood for their faith in Jesus are joining us in this prayer, too. Let us pray.
O God, our creator, we give you thanks for creating new in us each day so that we don’t need to hold tight that is old and hopeless. Please give us courage to reform what isn’t working or consume our lives. May we stay in communion with you through our daily faith practice and share your Good News with anyone who is lost and waiting to be noticed like Zacchaeus. And thank you for taking us under your care as your own and not giving up on us and thank you for always looking for all who are lost. May you hold our hands as we as your messengers join your mission to do likewise. AMEN.
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