As part of my ongoing classwork for Trinity Lutheran Seminary, I occasionally have to attend week-long intensive courses, which seek to cram a whole semester worth of knowledge into a single week. The last week of January, I traveled to United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia to learn about the “Neglected Apostles: Peter, James, and Jude.” I won’t bore you with the key points from my twelve page final exegetical paper, because the real learning that took place for me happened through reflecting upon my overall experience.
I spent a lot of time inside the buildings at United Lutheran Seminary, partly because the classes were long and partly because my winter coat didn’t hold up to the Philly wind chill. While traveling the halls and grounds, I noticed that there were a lot of remembrances posted; there were giant statues of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (seen side), plaques of donations from donors, and even sweatshirts for sale memorializing 250 year old Lutherans. This was a place that celebrated its history and was quite proud of it. It was hard to go anywhere without seeing a remembrance, or memorial, to someone who was important in the life of the seminary.
Tradition plays a big part in the Lutheran Church, especially in how it shapes our theology (thinking about God) and liturgy (worship service). The legacy of the Lutheran forefathers is fading quickly into the past, not because we don’t memorialize them, but because their influence is no longer felt on an individual and emotional level. Despite his massive statue and his collection of written works on display in the seminary library, I doubt many (if any) of you reading this can tell me about Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. I would bet though, that you can tell me about Jesus Christ and the impact God plays in your life daily. We don’t need thirty foot statues of Jesus to remind us that God is still present with us. We feel the effects of a relationship with God when we hear the Word of God and partake in God’s holy meal, communion. Christ touches our soul on a deep and profound level.
Our congregation, and community, has experienced a lot of pain and loss in the past year. If this trip has taught me anything, it is that those people will be remembered and memorialized in our heart forever for the way that they touched our lives. No statue, memorial plaque, painting, or sizeable donation in their name will hold the same lasting and transformative power as keeping their love and influence in our hearts. Because of the way these people have influenced me, I pass it along to someone else I know, which continues their legacy and mission.
In the same way, because of the love that Christ first shared with us, we don’t show our appreciation by buying another Jesus painting and hanging it on our wall, we go forth into the world to share that love with others. Let the past continuing influence you, for there is good there, but always keep our eyes fixed forward on the cross of Christ and our call to serve and be with others.
God Bless,
Pastor Corey Wagonfield, Seminary Intern