| Friday, February 13, 2009 | | | | the people supported him. At this time he began |
| | | | translating the Bible into German. He completed the |
| Martin Luther: Reformer, Hymnist | | | | whole translation in 1531. |
| A Homily | | | | The translation of the Bible into German, invention of |
| By Peter Menkin | | | | the printing press, and hymn writing all brought the |
| Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal) | | | | spirit of God to common men, gave Martin Luther, |
| Mill Valley, CA USA | | | | the great preacher, another venue that moved the |
| Wednesday Eucharist, 10:30 a.m. | | | | Christian world towards the new way--Protestantism. |
| February 18, 2009 | | | | History of man and of creation, which means our |
| Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 1994 | | | | earth and the universe, is God’s field. He acts so |
| Isaiah 55: 6-11 | | | | greatly. Yet God acts with and in mankind. He as |
| John 15: 1-11 | | | | friendly maker brought so much to one man, Martin |
| Psalm 46 | | | | Luther, who in Christ remarkably added and was an |
| In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the | | | | instrument of movement in human life. So we know |
| Holy Ghost. | | | | that Christ acts in man, for in our reading today from |
| Our readings today are rich, and so is the life of | | | | John, the reading offers: “I am the true vine, and |
| Martin Luther. This remarkable and great man of | | | | my Father is the vine grower. He removes every |
| history did, as God’s instrument, reform the | | | | branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that |
| Christian Church throughout the world. Who does not | | | | bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more |
| know the name? Those of the Christian faith, | | | | fruit…” Martin Luther did this in accord with his |
| certainly do. | | | | understanding of the Bible. He was a prophet. |
| If you come away with any good news from this | | | | Thomas Carlyle, the Scottish Calvinist and Essayist of |
| Homily, let it be that God works in history. That | | | | the 19th Century, says: |
| Martin Luther, a man of God, was a man of God in | | | | As a participant and dispenser of divine influence, he |
| history. That God still speaks. He speaks to us in | | | | shows himself among human affairs a true |
| many ways. As Luther so ardently said 500 years, | | | | connecting medium and visible messenger between |
| ago, the Bible speaks to us. As we know, the Holy | | | | heaven and earth, a man, therefore, not only |
| Spirit is a guide. | | | | permitted to enter the sphere of poetry, but to |
| Martin Luther, man of history, was a writer of | | | | dwell in the purest centre thereof, perhaps the most |
| hymns, famous for music that we sing today. He is a | | | | inspired of all teachers since the Apostles. |
| reminder of a Christ-inspired, a Christ-filled life, and a | | | | Martin Luther’s teachings went this way, as |
| Christ-gifted man of faith. His most notable and | | | | Luther the reformer had become Luther the |
| memorable hymn is, “A Mighty Fortress is Our | | | | revolutionary: |
| God.” Here is a part of the hymn played for us. | | | | · The Bible is the only source of faith; it contains |
| (Some of the hymn is played on a musical | | | | the inspiration of God. |
| instrument, no voice.) | | | | · Faith alone can work justification; man is saved by |
| These are some words from the hymn: | | | | confidently believing that God will pardon him. This |
| "A mighty fortress is our God | | | | faith not only includes a full pardon of sin, but also an |
| A bulwark never failing; | | | | unconditional release from its penalties. |
| Our helper He amid the flood | | | | · The hierarchy and priesthood are not Divinely |
| Of mortal ills prevailing. | | | | instituted or necessary, and ceremonial or exterior |
| For still our ancient foe | | | | worship is not essential or useful. Ecclesiastical |
| Doth seek to work us woe – | | | | vestments, pilgrimages, mortifications, monastic |
| His craft and power are great, | | | | vows, prayers for the dead, intercession of saints, |
| And, armed with cruel hate, | | | | avail the soul nothing. |
| On earth is not his equal." | | | | · All sacraments, with the exception of baptism, |
| One commentary says: “Luther’s hymn was | | | | Holy Eucharist, and penance, are rejected. A powerful |
| sung boldly as an affirmation of God’s power | | | | theological concept and attitude, Luther’s |
| over forces that sought to disrupt the truth of | | | | influence of reformation remains with Protestants and |
| God.” | | | | Catholics today. The Reformation is an ongoing |
| Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483, at | | | | movement, even this more than 500 years later. The |
| Eisleben, Germany. He studied at Mansfeld, | | | | Anglican Church, with its middle way of Protestant |
| Magdeburg and Eisenach, Germany. At the age of 18, | | | | catholicism, emphasizes in focus the sacraments of |
| he entered the University of Erfurt intending a career | | | | baptism and Holy Eucharist. In the case of Eucharist, |
| in law. But dropped out almost immediately, believing | | | | since the Anglican of today and since 1979 has |
| that law represented uncertainty. Almost at the | | | | emphasized it (in specific, the Protestant Episcopal |
| same time he received his Master’s degree, he | | | | Church USA)—Holy Eucharist every week! Baptism |
| became a monk. This was 1505. He had entered the | | | | as a celebration and important emphasis for the |
| Augustinian monastery at Erfurt to prepare for the | | | | “Priesthood of All Believers,” as well! No |
| priesthood. | | | | wonder we have a Feast day celebrating Martin |
| He was appointed professor at the University of | | | | Luther in our Church lives. |
| Wittenberg in 1508. After his ordination, he was | | | | · The priesthood is universal; every Christian may |
| awarded a Doctor of Divinity and attracted large | | | | assume it. A body of specially trained and ordained |
| congregations by his preaching. | | | | men to dispense the mysteries of God is needless |
| In 1511 he visited Rome, became critical over the | | | | and a usurpation. |
| corruptions in the church and agonized over the | | | | · There is no visible Church or one specially |
| problem of salvation--that it was not won by | | | | established by God whereby men may work out |
| indulgences, but was a gift of God's grace. | | | | their salvation. |
| On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 theses of | | | | Whether you believe all or part of Martin |
| denunciation in Wittenberg with a view to begin a | | | | Luther’s statements, his influence and thought, |
| public debate. This started a quarrel between Luther | | | | his ideas and faith, his life of believing changed the |
| and the church. | | | | world. |
| These are the first three theses: | | | | We remember Martin Luther in hymn. He always |
| 1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, | | | | wrote the words, sometimes the music itself, and |
| "Repent" (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of | | | | often took the music from popular songs of his day. |
| believers to be one of repentance. | | | | His most well known hymns: |
| 2. This word cannot be understood as referring to | | | | · Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice |
| the sacrament of penance, that is, confession and | | | | · Saviour of the Nations, Come |
| satisfaction, as administered by the clergy. | | | | · From Heaven Above to Earth I Come |
| 3. Yet it does not mean solely inner repentance; such | | | | · Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands |
| inner repentance is worthless unless it produces | | | | · Come, Spirit of God, Holy Lord |
| various outward mortification of the flesh. | | | | · Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word |
| During 1521, Luther maintained his stand before the | | | | God in history is enacted by the story of Martin |
| Diet of Worms that led to his excommunication. | | | | Luther, as are his hymns. |
| German princes and followers among churchmen and | | | | Amen. |