As I was unpacking some boxes of scrapbook items, I ran upon an old newspaper article from the 1970s with a rather yellowish background. It tells of the Pope announcing a Catechism for Roman Catholic Christians to help them understand the doctrines and beliefs of the church.
That is what Martin Luther did for the people of his congregation in Germany in 1529. He provided the Small Catechism as a tool to help families instruct their children in how to live in the world in which they found themselves. It was in that same box that I found my Mother’s marked-up copy of The Small Catechism.
On a hill near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus taught the people who gathered there about how God would have them conduct their lives. It included what we know as the Beatitudes (see Matthew 5:1-12) and additional teachings following that (Matthew 5:13-7:28). To those guidelines we often turn.
It was the results of an encounter with God that Moses had on the mountain where God gave the 10 Commandments long ago. They are recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and again in Deuteronomy 5:1-21.
A new preaching series will soon begin at Faith Lutheran Church in Shelton on Luther’s Catechism, beginning with the 10 Commandments. Many of us learned these commandments when we were in Sunday school and Confirmation classes. As a pastor for many years, I discovered that young people took these 10 Commandments as “the law” or only for what they said, never putting any further thought into their extended meaning. So, a kid might say, “Of course it is wrong to kill. Murder is always wrong!” Another student would say, “My mom would “kill” me if I stole anything!”
Perhaps it is time for us to revisit these Commandments and the rest of the Catechism to reaffirm what are the plans for God’s people. It is a very timely topic for us as we live in a very divided and tumultuous period of history. We are given the opportunity to stretch our thinking, to rectify the wrongs within us and around us, and teach our children and grandchildren how God wants us to live.
Tune into the podcasts or attend the services that begin in the middle of January as we delve into a valuable tool called Luther’s Catechism that is relevant, not only then, but for the here and now.
Prayer: O God of all time and in all places, give us the courage and the resolve to seek your will and to learn of your plan for me and us. Be with those who teach us. Amen.