Another Good Quote

Dr. Gifford Grobien has a good article in the latest Concordia Theological Quarterly entitled "The Christian Voice in the Civil Realm." Worth a read. He talks about a people formed by the church or formed by the state. Here is a good quote to whet your appetite:

The end or purpose of the church militant is to be a people in this world gathered around Word and Sacrament, forgiven of sin, reconciled to God, and sanctified for good works.  . . .  When the church recalls that she is to confess and act faithfully, and not ultimately to bring political change, she will be ready not only for marginalization but for martyrdom. 

Martyrdom signals the impotence, not of the church, but of the state. Whatever it may threaten, in the end, the state can only kill the body. Yet, it cannot even take away the body. The martyred Christian still has his body for the resurrection; he still has life in Christ. Martyrdom reveals the people of the church to be formed differently from the state, in direct opposition to the claim that only the state can form people. Martyrs reveal the empty violence of the state and the people of the eternal kingdom.

~ CTQ 78:3-4, p. 129 (emphases mine)

Good Luther Quote

"[The world] does not want evil, but cannot cope with good."

For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is greatly emphasized in our world today, but it is not a day of joy for everyone. I have become more and more aware that importing civil holidays into the church can cause great pain to some. Mother's Day and motherhood is a complex thing. Consider the following:

+To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you.

+To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.

+To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you.

+To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you.

+To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

+To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you.

+To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you.

+To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we both lament and hope with you.

+To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you.

+To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we pray with you for healing.

+To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.

+To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you.

+And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you.

This Mother’s Day, we walk with all of you. Together rejoicing in the joys of this life, sorrowing in the trials, trusting in the mercy of Christ, and hoping in the resurrection to come upon His return.

(Note: I did not write this, but do not remember where I got it from. Please forgive the lack of attribution.)