Outward expressions of inner reality

“Why do you dress like that?”, the little boy asked me after the Divine Service. Of course, he meant my alb, stole and cincture. “It is the uniform of a called and ordained pastor in our church,” I replied.

I could have given him the complete lecture, starting with Article XXIV of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession: “At the outset we must again make the preliminary statement that we 1 do not abolish the Mass, but religiously maintain and defend it. For among us masses are celebrated every Lord’s Day and on the other festivals, in which the Sacrament is offered to those who wish to use it, after they have been examined and absolved. And the usual public ceremonies are observed, the series of lessons, of prayers, vestments, and other like things.” Elsewhere in the Book of Concord there are many declarations that ecclesiastical traditions that have stood the test of time, and proven useful in teaching reverence for the Word and sacraments, even if they are not specifically commanded in Scripture, should be preserved and not be discarded (for instance, Article XV of the Augsburg Confession). Even the use of Latin was retained as part of the Divine Service! The Reformers were concerned with establishing they were not starting a new church, but were truly in communion with the church catholic, which has existed not only since the first century, but in the Old Testament as well. There are no detailed descriptions of how the New Testament church worshiped, probably because the early Christians were already accustomed to the liturgical worship of the Temple and synagogue. New Testament believers are not bound to the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament as a matter of salvation, but it is clear what “worship style” the Lord prefers.

Nevertheless, I felt it was sufficient to speak of a pastoral uniform, because Venezuelans understand uniforms. Every branch of the military, and of local, state and national police have their distinctive uniforms. Venezuelan physicians identify themselves by their white lab coats. But uniforms not only identify figures of authority, but also those who belong to a particular group. Not only do the teachers in our preschool have uniforms, but also all of our students. This is the norm not only in preschool, but in the primary and secondary schools as well. The wearing of uniforms is not obligatory in the university, but every college or school in the university has its distinctive form and color of dress. And at graduation, it is customary to wear the academic robes which are derived from the uniform of scholars in the 16th Century. Uniforms signify vocation, which is a solid Lutheran doctrine and beneficial for an orderly society as well.

This month we distributed new uniforms provided free of charge to our preschool by the Ministry of Education. The uniforms are required, but many families cannot afford to purchase them. With the aid of LeadaChild, we provide scholarships for alumni of our preschool to continue their education through high school. Part of the money from these scholarships is used for the required uniforms which are not provided free for families past the preschool level.

The purpose of marriage and family

On the same day that we distributed the uniforms, we spoke with the guardians of our students about the Biblical model of the family: One man, one woman committed to an exclusive relationship for life. God intended this order of creation for the welfare of children, as well as mutual companionship and support of the complementary sexes. So far, we have not had to deal directly with what is referred to here as “gender ideology”, that is, the promotion of same-sex “marriage” and the idea of sexual identity as a social construct. However, the law in Venezuela has for many years permitted common-law marriage, or more precisely, concubinage. That is to say, it is sufficient for a man and a woman to be considered “married” if they live under the same roof and have children together. Marriage as a commitment to God, and not just a private arrangement, is a real cultural obstacle. Also, the responsibility of fathers to bring their children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord is a particular problem for men, as many children lack an identifiable father figure in the home.

Teachers’ strike continues, so does afterschool tutoring

While many COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted (according to this site, COVID-19 is not among the 50 leading causes of death in Venezuela), many schools remain closed because of a nationwide teachers’ strike over adequate pay and benefits. But even though her students are not attending regular classes, Luz Maria continues her afterschool tutoring. It is a remedial program for many of the students, who are far behind their grade level in basic reading and math skills.

Feast, then fast?

We began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes, but not before the preschool children participated in a traditional Carnaval parade. “Carnaval” is derived from an old Italian phrase, which means “farewell to the flesh”, specifically meat, dairy products and whatever else would not keep for the 40 days of obligatory Lenten fasting. The two days (at least) of merrymaking and conspicuous consumption before Ash Wednesday was a medieval form of virtue signaling, in which people demonstrated that they were not keeping anything hidden in the cupboards during Lent. During the Renaissance, parades and masquerade balls became part of the festivities. There is inherently wrong with these pre-Lent celebrations, unless they become occasions for idolatry and inmorality. The same may be said of Halloween, in which the original significance of All Saints Eve and All Saints Day has been forgotten by a great many people.

The appointed Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6:1-11, might seem to forbid this kind of thing, except that Jesus begins by says “When you fast…” He does not require fasting as a condition of forgiveness, but assumes His disciples will fast. Fasting is often mentioned in the Old Testament. It was carried out voluntarily or by public prescription. The Law of Moses mandated a single fast, that of the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-34). In addition, fasting was done by public prescription in seasons of drought or public calamity (Judges 20:26; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Joel 1:13; 2: 12,15). Fasting was also done individually and voluntarily from time to time. Hannah fasted because of her grief at not having a child (1 Samuel 1). David's action in fasting after the birth of Bathsheba's first child is peculiar in that he continued the fast only while the wounded child was alive and discontinued the fast when the child died (2 Samuel 12:21-23).

By New Testament times it is obvious that the Pharisees regarded fasting as a work of merit (Luke 18:12). However, this was an abuse that was already evident in the Old Testament. As Isaiah rebuked the people of his day for their cold, formal fasts and exhorts them to accompany their fast with a humble spirit and righteous living (Isaiah 58:3-12). The Pharisees fasted twice a week: Monday and Thursday. What Jesus condemns in Matthew, chapter 6, is outward acts of piety as works of merit to gain favor with God as well as the admiration of men. These acts include prayer and giving to the poor as well as fasting. In fact, the apostles fasted at times (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Many in the early church fasted twice a week: Wednesday and Friday.

The death of King David’s child was punishment for his adultery with Bathsheba, although because he confessed his sin, the Lord spared his life. This repentance is reflected in Psalm 51, where David writes, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Job expresses sorrow and repentance by sitting among ashes in Job 2:8. We find both fasting and the wearing of sackcloth and ashes as an expression of sorrow and repentance in the alternate Old Testament lesson appointed for Ash Wednesday, Jonah 3:1-10. This was appropriate to read because our Sunday afternoon youth Bible class had just completed a study of the book of Jonah.

Fasting and imposition of ashes had again come to be considered acts of merit in the medieval church. The Lutheran Confessions reject burdening consciences with these rites, but teach that right fasting is a fruit of repentance commanded by God in the same way as right praying and right almsgiving; that fasting is useful for keeping the flesh in check (Article XXVI, Augsburg Confession); and that fasting and other forms of bodily preparaton are fine external training in preparation for receiving Holy Communion (Small Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar).

At any rate, we remember that while the 40 days of Lent are intended as a season of penitence and prayer, there are feast-days embedded in Lent: The six Sundays are not considered part of Lent proper, because we celebrate the Resurrection with the Eucharist.

We wish all of you a blessed Lent in anticipation of Easter triumph and Easter joy!