Today’s look at the Augsburg Confession reveals a deep
respect in the mind of the Reformers for those ceremonies of the Church which
had been handed down through the ages.
But their respect only went so far as those ceremonies served to confess
the Gospel. And so, this also guides our
thinking today. Enjoy!
Collect
of the Week (Proper 13-C)
O Lord,
grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven,
that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of
Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Article
XV (Church Ceremonies)
1
Our churches teach that ceremonies ought to be observed that may be observed
without sin. Also, ceremonies and other practices that are profitable for
tranquility and good order in the Church (in particular, holy days, festivals,
and the like) ought to be observed.
2
Yet, the people are taught that consciences are not to be burdened as though
observing such things was necessary for salvation [Colossians 2:16–17]. 3
They are also taught that human traditions instituted to make atonement with
God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins are opposed to the
Gospel and the doctrine of faith. 4 So vows and traditions
concerning meats and days, and so forth, instituted to merit grace and to make
satisfaction for sins, are useless and contrary to the Gospel. (Concordia: The Lutheran
Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing
House, 2005, S. 39).
Note:
Lutheranism
embraces the good historic traditions of the Church, especially those of the
Western Church. These include such things as following the pattern of the
Church year, lectionary readings from the Bible, a liturgical order of worship,
various festival days, vestments worn by clergy, and the use of candles,
crucifixes, and other objects. As this article makes very clear, in the
Lutheran Church, rites, decorations, or traditions are never used or followed
to appease God’s wrath or to earn the forgiveness of sins. Lutheranism removed
from the Church useless and harmful traditions such as monastic vows and
insisting on certain foods on certain days. (See also Ap
XV; SA III XV; FC Ep
X and SD X.) (Concordia:
The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO:
Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 39).
Prayer
Almighty, everlasting God, for our
many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your
dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and
everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be
raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord (LSB, collect #153).
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