The Prophetic Calling of the Church; Separation of Church & State

Newsletter Message on Luke 4: 16-21 for January 30, 2025, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Richardson, Texas 

In the Luke's Gospel reading last Sunday (we had a guest preacher), Jesus began his mission with these words, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor....Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'

It is from this inaugural sermon that St. Luke's gets it tagline: where spirits come alive! Jesus fulfills his prophetic mission of liberation through the power of the Spirit upon him; the same is true for us. Jesus and we who follow him, have a clear mission of freedom, compassion, and mercy for those at the margins. Regardless of one's political persuasion, as an inclusive, Reconciling-in-Christ congregation, this includes our LGBTQIA+ siblings, who have experienced fear and rejection since our new President announced they would recognize "only two genders," banned transgender persons from serving in the military, removed LGBTQIA+ resources from government websites, among other actions.

We stand with Episcopal Bishop Budde who practiced the biblical prophetic tradition of calling our leaders to exercise mercy and compassion for those who are vulnerable and at the margins, including LGBTQIA+ children and immigrants. Our country is stronger when all diverse citizens are recognized and empowered. This also underscores the importance of the separation of church and state defined in the First Amendment: we do not look to the government to establish or promote religious views or practice, and all people are free to exercise their right to religious expression.

At St. Luke's, this free religious expression necessarily includes the prophetic mission of diversity, inclusion, justice, racial equity, and working against oppression in all its forms. This is love in action and according to Scripture, it is the way of Jesus.