Sunday reflection on Matthew 22:34-46 In this gospel, we see love as the greatest commandment. Those who are trying to trick Jesus are answered with love – that the greatest commandment is to love God and then one another. In this gospel, loving God and loving one another are so intricately tied to each other. I like that we love and serve God, in part, by loving and serving one another. It makes me think, too, of the way we define church. Surely, we should be loving and serving others all day long. Perhaps it is by smiling and saying thank you to the coffee barista on Sunday morning, or maybe just help out with something that would make the task easier for all of us. Maybe we can give our time and our hearts to be present with a parishioner or friend going through a rough patch, or maybe we can pray for a complete stranger—the opportunities are endless. We are in a world in need, giving us the opportunity to meet and love God wherever we go.

How did you serve God today? How did you love another?

Saints of the Reformation Era: October 31, 2017, marks the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, inaugurated by Martin Luther’s actions in Wittenberg.

A notice was posted on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenburg, a town in Saxony. It was put there by Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and a lecturer in the University of Wittenburg. He invited other academics to debate ninety-five theses or propositions regarding the Church’s doctrine and practice of penance. These NinetyFive Theses triggered a cluster of reactions which eventually forced Luther into open rebellion against the papacy; and his rebellion set in train the movement called the Protestant Reformation.

Luther and the other leaders of this movement accused the Church of encouraging “works righteousness” — the idea that people could earn salvation by doing good works. Against this notion they preached salvation by faith alone — by faith in the sole righteousness of Christ.

So, while we remember the Protestant and Catholic saints of the Reformation era, we may beseech Christ for their reconciliation in heaven — and for the healing of all divisions in the Church on earth.

“Faith, hope, love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13.13