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Reformed and Always Reforming—is the slogan of the Reformed Church worldwide (of which Presbyterians are a part). So, we celebrate that wonderful day, All Hallow’s Eve (what we call now Halloween), when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenburg Church door, and the Protestant Reformation began.
But as I was reminded just this Monday at a Presbytery conference on Boundary Awareness, change is not always celebrated. In fact, change often makes us anxious or even down-right hostile. Notice how “all who saw” the incident with Jesus and Zacchaeus reacted—they grumbled. They were not happy. Jesus was showing favor to a tax collector—to one who routinely sided with Romans rather than his own people. One who had taken advantage of them.
Now if this is the standard reaction to change, then change-makers are going to run the risk of being very unpopular, even being in deep trouble. In other words, there is a personal price to pay if one is serious about doing new things. And Martin Luther knew that. In fact, he often needed comfort. And he seemed to find it in the words of Psalm 46. So let’s remind ourselves of what that Psalm says.
*Hymn #380 "God is Our Help, Refuge and Strength"
Refrain: God is our help, refuge, and strength. In troubling times, we will not fear. (2x)
1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
3. though its waters roar and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. REFRAIN
4. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be overthrown: God shall help it at the break of day.
6. The nations make much ado, and the realms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
7. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. REFRAIN
8. Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, what awesome things God has done on earth.
9. It is the Lord who makes war to cease in all the world, who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
10. Be still, then, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
11. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. REFRAIN
I can see why someone who wanted comfort would go to this Psalm. No matter what is happening around you, (mountains falling into the sea, waves crashing upon the shore, the church dividing or dwindling or changing) the message is steadfast—God is with us; our God is our Rock.
The Psalmist also reminds us that God is the Creator. God is an Actor on our world stage. God has power and might. God has a vision for our world. God advocates and works for peace. In the end, it is not so much about us, but about being a part of the movement of God’s Spirit on our planet.
Let us not forget that the “protest” Martin Luther and the other Reformers were engaged in was against a powerful and sometimes vicious enemy (their own church). People were being thrown in jail, or burned at the stake for heresy. Luther’s words “The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still” were literal. No wonder “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”—Luther’s adaptation of Psalm 46—was called “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation.”
We are called, like Zacchaeus, like Martin Luther, to come down out of the tree, to leave our place of security, the place of being away from it all, above it all. We are called, like Zacchaeus, like Martin Luther, to enter the fray of a changing world, a shifting church, an uncertain future. But Martin Luther whispers in our ears, “Stay strong. God is with you. There is nothing to fear.” Let us proclaim our faith in singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
*Hymn #275 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.
The body they may kill; God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
Wow! That gets the blood pumping for whatever is to come, and us ready to be a part of it! But amidst all the bombast and firestorm, I see Zacchaeus’ face lit up with this wide grin. I hear Jesus say, “Today salvation has come to this house…” Yes, Reformation is something that happens on the grand scale. But Reformation is something that happens to each of us as well. When Jesus notices us. When Jesus wants to come to our house. When Jesus asks us to use our gifts. And when we are willing to let Jesus into our hearts and our lives. When we acknowledge the changes we need to make to be better people. That is Reformation too. And we know that we are “Reformed and Always Reforming.”
There are times when we need the battle hymn to urge us onward. But let me lift up another image that we need as well. It is the quiet but persistent song of the people of God. It is the joy in knowing whose we are, and no matter what may come, that God is with us. It is the song of faith, and hope, and grace, and love. It should be the constant in our lives, like the air we breathe, and the water that quenches our thirst. We need this joy, this song, as much as we need bread and grape for our bodies and souls.
A Reformation Celebration is a reminder that we have work to do, and yet we were created to be in joyful relationship with our Creator God and with all the beautiful people on this earth. Let’s end with a song that stems from Psalm 46 in its imagery. It is an America song, a song that has wormed its way into our popular culture, a song that asks even in the most trying times, “how can I keep from singing?”
*Hymn #821 "My Life Flows On"
1. My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the clear, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.
Refrain: No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
2. Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)
3. What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. (Refrain)
4. The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)
May it be so for all of us,
Alleluia, Amen.
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