FROM THE PASTOR

MY BROTHER, POPE BENEDICT  XVI

There are differences between Lutherans and Catholics.  But I heard a great sermon from the Pope, on April 17, televised from the Nationals Baseball Stadium in Washington D.C.  He proclaimed the Gospel clearly and powerfully.  He can preach in my pulpit anytime.

His message was as Christ-centered as any Baptist or Lutheran sermon I have ever heard.  He made me feel glad and proud to be a Christian. 

He called for “constant conversion to Christ”.  Luther (who pointed out all the flaws of the papacy in his day) would have cheered.  Luther taught daily conversion.  He said in his catechism, that “Baptism means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desire, should be drowned through daily repentance, and that, day after day, a new self should arise, to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” 

He called for a “renewed missionary zeal for the extension of God’s Kingdom.”  He would like our Mission Statement, “to proclaim the Good News of God’s love, care for the needy, and make disciples of all.”

He spoke to the United Nations Assembly and offered a clear call to the nations of the world to recognize the innate dignity of every human being and to protect the human rights of every person, especially the poor and the weak.  He witnessed to the Biblical teaching that all humans are created in the image of God.  He had an opportunity to share the Christian ethic of love to world leaders, of all the different world religions, some of whom are atheists.  He proclaimed the teaching of Christ with courage. 

As Lutherans, we emphasize the “Priesthood of all believers” and do not revere the ordained priesthood as the Catholics do.  Still we are glad to call Roman Catholics our brothers and sisters in faith, and we join with them in cheering their Pope.  And we thank God for the witness for Christ that the Pope has made on such a grand scale.

The Washington Nationals Stadium and Yankee Stadium will hold many cheering fans through the baseball season.  But the angels in heaven, and all the Saints, were cheering when baseball gave way to the Mass, and Pope Benedict proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, in April of 2008.     

God bless you all,

Pastor Brown