Grace Notes 2021-08-11

This is no time to be slack in regards to the Christian Faith! There are so many distractions competing for our attention. Learn from Martha and Mary in Luke 10. Jesus said, “One thing is necessary.” He was commending Martha’s sister, Mary, who was sitting at his feet attentive to his word. Martha had been distracted by lesser matters!

Surveys are indicating a growing pessimism in our culture concerning the future. And such pessimism is frankly sober and realistic! How can the following ominous signs be overlooked? Drug use and addiction is up. Suicides are up. Violent crimes and homicides are up. Political and cultural wars are more polarized and heated. Racial tensions are mounting. Church affiliation and attendance is declining, in some cases precipitously. Charitable giving is in decline. Stable families are in decline. And none of these factors have been lessened or mitigated by the lengthy struggle with the pandemic.

What should concern us the most is the drift of our communities away from the Christian Faith! Folks are leaving the churches in droves. What is daunting is the fact that this might not represent an abandonment of the faith. It could very well indicate those lightly along for the ride in the first place, those who were not well catechized, formed, and initiated into the mysteries of the faith.

When confronted with unfavorable numbers the temptation is to go into the marketing mode, spin our wheels, and strategize how to reverse the trend. But just this reaction is what has been the reaction for decades now. If the so-called Church Growth movement actually worked there would be positive overall growth, and not just a larger percent of the declining numbers showing up in fewer churches.

What is the antidote? It is to attend ourselves to the one thing necessary. And then it is to share this one thing necessary within the sphere of influence to which we have been placed. Are you well studied and prepared to catechize others? Don’t be slack!

Since You Asked…

What is the purpose of the Psalm Reading? And why do we often sing (chant) the Psalm?

“The appointed psalm is sung as a meditation on the First Lesson, a response to it, and a bridge to the Second Lesson. … Hearers of the lessons need a chance to assimilate the First Lesson before the Second Lesson begins. The required use of a psalm between the lessons provides for the restoration of psalm singing to its traditional place in the life of the church and gives the worshiper the opportunity to participate in the singing (or reading) of a portion of Scripture…” (from “Manual on the Liturgy” companion to the LBW, from Augsburg Pub.)

Chanting can be thought of as “exalted speech”. It sets the speech apart from regular speech and the slower cadence allows for reflection.