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The Reformation and the call to be family...

11/1/2017

14 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
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     I grew up with a devout Catholic mom and a non-practicing Baptist father. One set of grandparents were Methodist and the others were Church of Christ. Everyone was trying to convert the others. As a kid, I never really understood why we needed to pray for dad or grandma or whomever for their conversion, but I did; and, they faithfully prayed for me as well. Only years later when I actually studied psychology, scripture, and theological texts did I understand the human need for security, safety, and truth. Sadly, it is this need that often separates us from one another.    

With the anniversary of 500 years since the Reformation, I've thought about our life circumstances - a world ajar with violence, a planet quivering with climate irregularities, and the Christian churches still divided. Have we ever collectively felt so vulnerable? 

My musings led me to a letter, a beautiful letter by Aana Marie Vigen, an associate professor of Christian social ethics at Loyola University Chicago. It captured my heart and I wondered if it might yours as well. I've abbreviated it slightly for this blog, but I invite you to read the full text. 

If the hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and senseless violence have taught us anything, it is that we need each other. We were meant to be a family. 


Dear Pope Francis,
            Maybe you have heard: 2017 is a big year for Lutherans. Many are giddy with excitement as we commemorate the audacity of a certain 16th-century Augustinian monk, who on Oct. 31, 1517, nailed his 95 theses to a church door in Wittenberg. Fingers flutter across keyboards feverishly extolling or disputing Martin Luther’s contributions and flaws. But I—one who has marinated in American Lutheranism most of her life—find myself writing to you, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
            Perhaps it is an odd moment for Lutheran fan mail. Yet, ever since you became the Bishop of Rome in 2013, I have become increasingly convinced that you are the pope that Luther was looking for 500 years ago. Here are four reasons why.
            1. You help us to see Christ in our neighbor.
Luther continually emphasized “neighbor love” as a crucial way to love Christ and to respond to a hurting world. You once said: “How I would like a church that is poor and for the poor!”—and you have given the world countless examples of what such a church looks like.
            2. You help us to see God in creation.
Luther was in love with life in its varied and dazzling forms—its life-giving waters, its creatures and landscapes. He continuously referenced creation and everyday life in his writings. You chose the name of St. Francis of Assisi, a lover of the earth and all of its creatures. Your first encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” lays bare how climate change exacerbates every other social ill and the cruel irony that those who contribute the least to the degradation of our common home are paying the highest price for it. It asks us to confront not only harsh planetary realities but also the parts of ourselves that we would rather not see—selfishness, complacency and willful ignorance.
            3. You combine humility with audacity.
Luther charged the church of Pope Leo X as being “puffed up” with opulent pride and avarice. He deeply wanted Christians, ordained and lay, to understand that we are paradoxically free in Christ and yet called to be “servants of all.” Your witness on the world stage has been one of great humility. You are not afraid to apologize. You understand Luther’s insight that we are paradoxically both saint and sinner—that every person is always both beloved and broken, capable of expressing grace and healing and yet always in need of healing and forgiveness.
            4. You inspire creative hope and action.
Luther did not set out to break from the Roman church, but his fiery rhetoric and daring example ignited a movement and renewal of faith that he could not fully anticipate or contain. His translation of the Bible into German opened its pages to the general public for the first time. His humor and passion drew people into bold action and creative community. You also inspire millions across the planet. In word and deed, you make it abundantly clear that everyone has something to contribute. Now is our moment to be, as Luther might put it, “the priesthood of all believers”.
            You inspire me, Pope Francis. You help me find the grit to live with intention. So I boldly close this love letter with a fervent request: that you pray for the United States and the world in these tumultuous and confounding times, that we will stumble our way through with minimal injury to ourselves and to others. I ask you to pray without ceasing that humanity wakes up to creation’s myriad cries in time to do something meaningful about them.
God bless you, Holy Father. Know that I pray with and for you.
            Aana Marie Vigen
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14 Comments
John Fioravanti
11/2/2017 06:57:58

Thanks for passing this beautiful letter along to us today, Gwen. I agree that Pope Francis is likely the best pope the church has ever had and it is sad that he struggles against the arch conservatives within the church to shepherd his flock as they need to be led.

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 10:45:02

He embodies Hope, doesn't he. As always, thank you for sharing your insights, John.

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Mae Clair link
11/2/2017 08:00:11

Oh, what a beautiful letter. I'm a mesh of Catholic and Christian but never really felt a connection to a Catholic Pope until Pope Francis. He is truly a humble servant of our Lord and one who can do great good in uniting believers throughout the world. Thank you for sharing such a lovely letter that also serves as a reminder to all of us regarding humanity and loving our neighbors. Blessings to you, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 10:47:57

Thank you so much, Mae. Our churches need to draw near and share as family. There is so much we can learn from each other. Blessings to you. ♥

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John Howell link
11/2/2017 08:35:16

Wow, Gwen. As a Missouri Synod (the most conservative) Lutheran, I have to say I love this letter. In fact I do not find it odd that there is a possibility that Martin Luther will be canonized in the Catholic Church. He stood for reform and loved his church with all his heart. He had the courage to try and point a better way for the leaders to take. Aana Marie had it right, Pope Francis is an inspiration. Thank you so much for this letter.

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 10:52:10

My goodness, thank you, John. Aana Marie's letter touched a deep chord in my soul. I hope Martin Luther is canonized someday, and if Pope Francis has his way, he will be. Won't that be extraordinary.

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D.L. Finn
11/2/2017 09:30:13

What a beautiful letter! I can't say I knew a lot about Martin Luther other than what little I learned in school. I am a huge fan of Pope Francis, too and I am happy to see he touches the hearts of everyone across religions. With all that is going on I hope we pull together instead of apart. Thanks for sharing this it was a wonderful way to start my day.

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 10:54:03

Thank you for visiting, D.L. Like you, this letter opened my heart to a new day, both literally and figuratively. Blessings!

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Davy D link
11/2/2017 09:55:56

A heartwarming post Gwen. As someone who walked away from the Catholic Church some time ago I have to agree that the current Pope is the one who may come closest to reuniting a very fractured community, both inside and outside of the church. The letter sums it up, humanity centres on community and us all working to help one another.

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 10:57:06

Thank you, Davy. I agree, he evokes the hope that maybe, just maybe we can reunite as community. All the best to you.

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Vashti Q link
11/2/2017 15:59:21

Hello Gwen! What a heartwarming post. That letter is both beautiful and touching. I'm so happy you shared it. Thank you! <3

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Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 19:04:52

Thank you, Vashti. It warmed my heart too.

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Billy Ray Chitwood link
11/2/2017 17:06:38

A wonderful letter by Ms Vigen...God bless her for sharing... If only the world could suscribe and live her comments! ♥

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/2/2017 19:07:29

Thank you, Billy Ray, for stopping by today. I so agree with you, "if only the world could subscribe"...we'd have heaven on earth.

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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