Author: Rev. G. Michael Rose

November 2018

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.” Isaiah 25:7

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

Many pastors will say that they would much rather preach or preside at a funeral than at a wedding. I clearly remember at seminary when the professor told us, “If you are in a large church, and there is more than one pastor, if there is a wedding and a funeral on the same day, take the funeral!” In my experience, this is sound advice. Weddings can often be like herding cats. And weddings somewhere other than at the church building are even worse, generally. At least at the church, there is some degree of assumption that I’m in charge. At funerals, usually, people know how to behave (there have been exceptions). I have often said that when I retire, I am going to write a book on weddings and funerals. And I’m not going to change any names. I have plenty of ammunition. Enter November, the month that is more funeral than wedding.

 

Beginning with All Saints’ Day, the readings remind us of our mortality and predict war, disaster, and the end times. It’s enough to make us yearn for a savior or king. And we get both as the time after Pentecost draws to a close on Christ the King Sunday.

 

On the surface, there is not much good cheer. But buried beneath the darkness and death of November is the promise of resurrected life; an end to sadness and tears; the opportunity to give thanks for, share, and partake of the rich harvest of the earth; and a chance to renew our unwavering, confident trust in God. Don’t judge the month too harshly. Go deeper, and bring other people with you.

 

We begin with the opportunity to remember the past, honoring the saints who contributed to the creation of the kingdom. Both our churches and our families were built by dearly departed loved ones. It is because of them that we are able to joyfully give thanks for this life and cling to a longstanding faith, especially in the darkest of times.

 

Last night, I taught the Confirmation Class about All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), and the most abused of Christian Days, All Hallows’ Evening (Oct. 31, you know it best by another name, a slurring of its real name). These are all part of the Church’s celebration of the dead. Originally, it was celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. As Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection of the dead, All Saints’ Day looks forward to the raising of the Church, the whole Church. In most parts of the world, it is a very celebrated Church festival. That, we believe is one of the reasons why Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door on the night of Oct. 31, 1517. Everyone would be going to church service the next day! All Saints’ is an ideal time to acknowledge that although death is a part of life, death does not have the final word. In a society that keeps people alive at all costs, sanitizes death, and even demands that the grieving “move on.” This is our time to collectively pause, grieve, and remember. Consider this a “little Thanksgiving” for those on whose faith shoulders we stand.

 

“For All the Saints”

Pastor Rose

October 2018

On: By: Rev. G. Michael Rose

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, all who by faith before the world confessed, Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest.” Hymn 174, verse 1, Lutheran Book of Worship

 

Dear Redeemer Family:

As November will begin with All Saints’ Day, I thought to share a bit of some of the saints whom we commemorate during the month of October as a preparatory exercise. It is fitting since Article 21 of the Augsburg Confession states that the saints are “due the threefold honor,” something which many Lutherans have forgotten. Let’s look at three very different saints.

 

We’ll start at the end of September. September 30th is St. Jerome, translator and teacher, who died on this date in the year 420. Jerome is remembered as a biblical scholar and translator. Rather than choosing classical Latin as the basis of his work, he translated the scriptures into the Latin that was spoken and written by the majority of the persons in his day. And, to do his translation, he taught himself Hebrew and Greek, so that he could use the original sources. His translation is known as the “Vulgate,” from the Latin word for common. It was the official translation of the Bible for over a thousand years! While Jerome is remembered as a saint, he could be anything but saintly. He was well known for his short temper and his arrogance (he was purposely not invited to several major Church events because of it), although he was also quick to admit to his personal faults. Thanks to the work of St. Jerome, many people received the Word in their own language.

 

October 4th, we commemorate someone quite unlike St. Jerome. St. Francis of Assisi, renewer of the Church, died on this date in 1226. Francis (from whom the present Pope took his papal name) was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. In a public confrontation with his father, he renounced his wealth and future inheritance and devoted himself to serving the poor. Francis described this act as being “wedded to Lady Poverty.” Under his leadership the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) was formed, and they took literally Jesus’ words to his disciples that they should take nothing on their journey and receive no payment for their work. Their task in preaching was to “use words if necessary.” Francis had a spirit of gladness and gratitude for all of God’s creation, including animals, to whom he regularly preached.

 

On October 23rd, we commemorate St. James of Jerusalem, martyr, who died around the year 62. James became an early leader of the Church in Jerusalem. He is described in the New Testament as the brother of Jesus, and secular historian Josephus calls James the brother of Jesus, “the so-called Christ.” Little is known about James, but Josephus reported that the Pharisees respected James for his piety and observance of the law. His enemies had him put to death, on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem. Traditions says that James spent so much time in prayer, that his knees were so heavily calloused that they resembled those of a camel.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Rose