Read the Large Catechism with me.
Ten-minute studies on short readings from the Large Catechism.
Let's do this.
Click on the link below and read the short assigned reading. Then, if you have time, check out what I have to say about it. If not, no problem. Just soak up the goodness of the LC.
The Apostles' Creed Article 3, Part 2: Click here and read 47-53.
The basics:
- Luther uses this section to unpack a word study expressing why he believes some of the words of the Apostles' Creed can be translated better into German.
- He argues that "the holy Christian Church" and "the communion of saints" are the same thing.
- The "Church" is not a place or building, but an assembly. "Communion" is better translated as congregation. So, we believe in the holy Christian assembly or congregation of saints.
- Until the last day, the Holy Ghost abides with the holy congregation. He brings us to Christ, He teaches and preaches to us the Word, He works and promotes sanctification, and causes the community to daily grow and become strong in the faith and its fruits which He produces.
My thoughts today:
I really connected with the comments about the Church not being a building or location. My husband serves a dual parish, and one of those churches doesn't have a building. They meet in a side building (former parish house) of another Lutheran church.
It is just a room with a folding table covered with a cloth to hold the Holy Body and Blood of Christ. There is a cross, some folding chairs, seat cushions, and a Baptismal font and podium that scoot out when they are needed. Someone recently donated a piano, so we do have one of those.
The Church is not the little, cold room we meet in each Sunday and Thursday. The Church is the people gathered there with their pastor. The Church is the communion of the saints joined in that circle as we receive Christ's Supper. Where Jesus is, there is the Church.
There is so much to be learned from a congregation who owns so little. The Gifts still flow. The Gospel is still preached. The Word is still there.
I have written so much about my own contentment [or need for it], but in this place I have learned about the contentment of the Church - finding contentment in the space, the belongings, and the location God has given us for His purposes. Thanks be to God for that cold, little room we call Church; for there, we receive eternal life and salvation.
