PJ’s Page –
When we were in Germany we noticed that the Lutheran churches are not called Lutheran so much as they are called “Evangelish” or Evangelical. In this country, the term “evangelical” has come to mean something other than its original meaning, which has its origins in the Greek word euangelion which means “good news.”
Martin Luther and those who supported him five hundred years ago understood themselves in light of the gospel (good news) in contrast to those who related to the papacy and the structures of the Roman Catholic church. In fact, Luther did not want his supporters to be known as “Lutherans”, but his opponents hurled the term at them as an insult!
What might it be for us if, as we prepare to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we re-claimed our commitment to the Good News? What if we re-claimed the word evangelical and what it meant in its origins?
How does the good news of Jesus make a difference in our lives? When people ask me why we decided to undergo the affordable housing development I always answer that it is because of our understanding of the Good News. Jesus calls us to this work. And because of this, we acted. In doing so, we lived and shared the euangelion, the Good News.
At a recent conference our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, asked what our church will do on October 32nd , which was her way of asking what we will do after we have finished celebrating the Reformation, which is on October 31st. Can we continue to live into the Good News of Jesus…that love for neighbor is the most important word of all?
I am so thankful for the many ways this congregation lives in the neighborhood, actively sharing Christ’s love. It is not always easy….in fact, it is almost never easy. So many necessary things make this complicated. But feeding the hungry, planting gardens, and housing the homeless….those are not always easy but they are always clear ways we live into the Good News of God, known in the risen Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Pastor Julie+