October 31st is well known as Halloween... but did you remember that it is also Reformation Day?
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, at Wittenburg, Germany, published 95 theses for the people to read -- a challenge to the church to reground itself in the scriptures again, to let go of it's sense of privilege. This began what became known as the Protestant Reformation. This is part of the history of our church faith.
His actions called the church to account for practices that segregated God's love for those who 'had' and not for those who 'had not'.
There is a certain sense of privilege named in the scripture from John. "We are the Children of Abraham... surely we can't be considered sinful?" Where are the times when we think we are more privileged than others?
Psalm 46, a favourite of Luther's, reminds us that God is with us all the time... and we need to remember that.
Does the people of the church need to be called to account again? Are we living Martin's dream of God's love and forgiveness for all? Are we brave enough to go against societies rules for the sake of those who need support?