Dear Trinity (10/31/24)

Reformation/AllSaints/Election/Baptisms/Confirmations/Dodgers

Dear Trinity, Jesus’ grace. Reformation Day. All Saints. Elections. Confirmation. Baptisms. What should I write about this week? Maybe a benediction that addresses them all!

May the grace of God in Christ discovered, rediscovered, and rediscovered again discover you and cover you and liberate you from any thoughts or ideas that make you question whether God is for you or against you, or that his favor is contingent on your performance, or that all he cares about is behavior modification. May the discovery of Martin the rebellious monk, and Paul the chief of sinners, and many others also be your discovery: That you are loved by God, not because of what you’ve done or left undone, but because of what Jesus has done!

May the hope of all the saints, be the hope that holds you, which is another way of saying: may Jesus hold you. May Jesus hold you forever, even as he holds Sue and Donna and all our beloved sisters and brothers who are present with the Lord forever.

May the sobriety of your stewardship as a citizen motivate you to love your neighbor and trust in God as you cast your vote. May you be free from the unfit burden that your party or even national citizenship is your most important identity–that belongs–you belong to Jesus Christ our King and his kingdom! May your Christ-borne love for neighbor (Mark 12.31), and even your enemies (Matthew 5.43-48) not be dampened or muted by propaganda, outrage, winning or losing. May you trust the Lord, even if everything around us shakes!

May the Lord pour out his Spirit on those being baptized and confirmed this weekend. And may God, in each of us, stir up the gift of his Holy Spirit, that he might confirm our faith, guide our life, empower us in our serving, give us patience in suffering, and bring each of us to everlasting life. Amen.

Oh, I forgot–THE DODGERS! Yippee!

Jesus’ peace, Nathan

PS: here is a link to a conversation on All Saints that I had with Eric Peterson, the son of Eugene Peterson. Also, a conversation with some dear friends on political theology will be available soon: https://petersoncenter.org/low-in-the-water-podcast/