Memorial Day

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. I hope that amid all the family gatherings, cookouts, and the rest, we truly take time to thank God: for those who gave their lives in defense of our nation, for those who have served in the armed forces, and for those who are serving now. It is vital for our national well-being that we remember the sacrifices some have made that we might continue to live as free people. It is often said that "freedom isn't free," and I think that is absolutely true.

The Lutheran function within the body of Christ is to remember and proclaim that salvation is by grace, through faith, without regard to the works of the law. In other words, free. At least, free to us. The cost was borne by Jesus, who emptied himself that we might live in God's presence. Our freedom wasn't, and isn't, free to God. The Bible says: You are not your own. You were bought with a price.

Ours is a remembering faith. Every Sunday, as the bread and the wine are lifted, we hear these words: "do this in the remembrance of me." The Greek word which is translated "remembrance" is anamnesis. An-amnesis. Jesus says to eat and drink so that we don't get amnesia about him. One of the benefits of the sacrament (but certainly not the only one) is that we remember Jesus. We remember him. We remember the price he paid to reclaim us.

Every Sunday is its own kind of Memorial Day. See you at worship, so we can remember together.