Where’s the Reformation?

On the way to Sunday worship we drive through the very heart of commerce in Usulután. Street vendors are selling from the edge of the pavement where large busses and trucks blow their diesel exhaust in the faces of women and children selling vegetables, CDs, clothing, and much more.

Two blocks along our route are packed with vendors selling flower arrangements. The city is beautiful with the array of colors. Two vendors have pine boughs for sale, stacked 5 feet high, offering a new fragrance of pine that we relate to Northern Wisconsin or the Black Hills.

The Salvadorans celebrate the Day of the Dead on November 2. Paint stores and flower vendors have added part-time help to accommodate all the customers preparing for the annual pilgrimage to paint and decorate the graves of the departed.

This is a busy weekend of commemorations in liturgical churches: October 31 is Reformation, November 1 is All Saints Day and November 2 is All Souls Day. We are looking forward to celebrating our protestant roots in the Reformation today.

As the sermon started we listened to hear familiar words like Martin Luther, Reformation, or his foundation of “Only Grace, Only Faith, Only Scripture”.
We didn’t hear any of that.

While there are over 140 Lutheran denominations worldwide, the Lutherans of North America view the Reformation as a second Pentecost. As in the first Pentecost, the Spirit of God prevailed. Luther couldn’t be stopped by the powers of the world. He wasn’t the first and he isn’t the only reformer. But considering the place, time and invention of the printing press, Luther’s teachings influenced the hearts of men and women of Europe against incredible odds that were working for his silence. It was indeed a miracle.

This year’s remembrance of Reformation is more reflective for us. How can all believers regardless of church affiliation be a part of the “reforming” of their individual faith and belief? While our North American culture promotes Halloween with emphasis of death and fear, reformation should reveal the tremendous love of Christ. After his sacrifice on the cross, His grace prevails through the continuing outpouring of his Holy Spirit.

This is a year of reformation for us. First living in a new culture and absolutely alone in a strange place; now experiencing transformation, being aware of God’s presence like never before, in total trust for our well-being in our coming in and going out.

Blessed Reformation and Transformation to you all

David y Nancy