Martin Luther was born November
11th of 1483. Educated by his father to be a lawyer,
instead he became a monk. Luther, as
many saints had a great knowledge of his sinfulness and unworthiness before
God. He challenged the Roman Catholic
Church on the sale of indulgences, and promoted the view of justification by
faith, and the priesthood of all believers.
Condemned and excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church, he refused to
recant unless proved wrong by scriptures.
Luther, a great scholar
encouraged the German Catholic custom of choral singing and wrote many hymns in
German, the most well known being, “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” based on
Psalm 91. In addition to hymns, Luther
(influenced by the ideas of Hus) translated much of the Old and New Testaments
into German, and also translated the church services into German. As well he provided two catechisms to guide
people in faith. Participating in the
dissolution of Monasteries, he took as a wife an ex nun, whom he loved
dearly. As many in the church, he made
mistakes, but his main focus was on God, and his ideas continue to affect the
church even today. He is not only the lead man in the reformation, but the main
cause of the counter-reformation as well.
Readings
Psalm 46
Isaiah
55: 6-11
Romans 3:21-28
John 15:1-11
Collect: Dear
Lord, you raised up Martin Luther to challenge the church in its errors to
reform its ways. Guide the church today
that she may always be ready to correct errors and seek you in your word and
sacraments. This we ask in the name of
our Lord Yeshuah haMoshiach, who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach
haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
Amen.
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