October 28, 2018 - Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost - Reformation Sunday, Three Johns and the Story of Bartimaeus

This Sunday Creator celebrated:
Reformation Day and some wearing red,
Creator's Harvest Festival and some wore costumes,
and, finally, a Chili Cook off fund-raiser.

I found it interesting that the Gospel changed for those celebrating Reformation Sunday. For Christians not celebrating Reformation, the Revised Standard Lectionary for the Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost the Gospel is the story of Bartimaeus.

As Lutherans we do celebrate the Reformation which reformed the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church at a time where humankind's understanding of God was changing. Eventually that movement divided Christendom along confessional, as well as territorial, lines. The religious turmoil of the period led to warfare within most states and between many with massive, historical repercussions.

At Creator Josh Stromberg-Wojcik gave the sermon on this Reformation Sunday Gospel John 8:31-36. He began by observing how the world and issues that Luther encountered when the Reformation began were different than what is important now to our modern faith. He specifically talked about how he was not particularly anxious about the destination of souls in the afterlife because of his faith and that Augustine's concept of original sin does not directly speak to him either.

He went on with what he and his wife Marie had learned during their time at Iona from John Philip Newell that did touch him deeply. Newall's talks centered around all of us being born attuned to all creation and that sin was not so much original sin but rather no longer being able to listen to God. At some core of this teaching was the Celtic memory of John, who Jesus loved, leaning against Jesus' breast during the Last Supper. Celts believe that, because of this, John actually listened to the heartbeat of God. What becomes important for them is to listen for God's sacred presence and move closer to this heartbeat of all that surrounds us.

This tied in with the Gospel verse where  Jesus said "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.". When listening to the Word whether it be in scripture, in creation, or through Jesus we are made free and we are made free in ever-changing ways.

Since this was spoke so directly to Josh he appeared too suggest the Word is always changing when there are new concerns in man's changing heart in what constitutes humankind's faith in God .

Christ and Bartimaeus by Julia Stankova

Today, at least through the lectionary, we can also reflect on Bartimaeus described in the Gospel. He is a beggar, disenfranchised and outside of society. In stark contrast to the rich young man of the Gospel reading two weeks ago, who asked how he could inherit eternal life, Bartimaeus is hardly dignified. He shouts; he leaps up and throws off his cloak when called. He does not ask Jesus for the correct interpretation of scripture, he cries for mercy. Only when Jesus asks him, "What do you want me to do for you?" does he ask to be able to see. And when Jesus says "Go; your faith has made you well" he regains his sight.

Then, unlike the rich young man, Bartimaeus immediately follows Jesus on the way to Jerusalem.

His faith not only makes him well but gives Jesus an opportunity to transform those who are on the way to Jerusalem with Jesus. Notice how, at first, they all sternly ordered Bartimaeus to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly. When Jesus stands still, acknowledges and calls him, what those around Jesus say completely changes to "Take heart; get up, he is calling you."

To sum up we have the Reformation which, through changing cultural faith also changed many personal relationships with God. This "cultural reformation" is always changing as Josh preached today. Christianity may speak to us more strongly through seeing our traditions through a Celtic lens.

We also have Bartimaeus, whose personal faith allows Jesus to transform the faith, the words and the actions of a small group gathered around Jesus who are on the way to Jerusalem. They become more supportive of outsiders and the disenfranchised. And Bartimaeus immediately becomes part of that community.

I was humbled by the different lens of seeing God today and at least two different ways God works within and transforms humankind.