A Message from the Pastor
August 15th is a day set aside in the church calendar for celebrating the witness of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus. In Roman Catholic circles, it is celebrated as the Ascension of Mary, a day in which Roman Catholics believe Mary ascended directly into heaven without tasting physical death. In Eastern Orthodox circles, it is called the Dormition of the Theotokos (Mother of God), or the day she was “translated” from temporal to eternal life. The Lutheran calendar also appoints this day to observe Mary, but gives no indication of how it is to be celebrated or what exactly we celebrate. To tell the truth, we speak very little of Mary in Lutheranism for fear of appearing “too Catholic.” This is unfortunate because we have lost out on a figure central to the Christian faith.
Martin Luther had a great deal to say about Mary, some of which we may find shocking. Here is a sample:
- Mary was a virgin when she conceived Christ and remained so. The brothers referred to in Scripture are actually cousins (Sermons on John, 1-4, 1537-39).
- Mary is rightly referred to as “The Mother of God” (ibid; also see “On the Council of the Church”, 1539).
- Mary was conceived free of original sin [a belief not officially promulgated in Roman Catholic theology until 1854 (Sermon: "On the Day of the Conception of the Mother of God," 1527).
- Mary is blessed above all women (Christmas sermon, 1531).
I have said it before, and I will say it again: some churches have made too much of Mary. We Lutherans have not made enough of her. This year on August 15th, I encourage to take a few moments to observe the day, celebrating the life of Mary. What is the best way to do this? Martin Luther said, “One should honor Mary as she herself wished and as she expressed it in the Magnificat. She praised God for his deeds. How then can we praise her? The true honor of Mary is the honor of God, the praise of God’s grace…Mary is nothing for the sake of herself, but for the sake of Christ…Mary does not wish that we come to her, but through her to God. (Explanation of the Magnificat, 1521). We best praise Mary by praising God for all of God’s mighty deeds, especially for sending his Son our Lord to walk among us.