We are ALL saints... AND sinners

Many people wonder if Lutherans worship saints.

Martin Luther professed us all saints AND sinners. 

Saints…honor them, yes, somewhat; worship them, no.

For example, today (May 18) is the day we remember Erik, King of Sweden, who died a martyr in 1160. 

Erik Jedvardsson was king of Sweden from 1150 until his death in 1160.  During that time he is credited with crusades and attempts to bring peace and Christianity to Finland and the Nordic lands under Swedish control.   He was also credited with striving to establish fair laws and courts.

He is reported to have been slain upon leaving worship on the day after the Ascension celebration.  Even though he had been warned of the Danish army’s approach, he continued his worship until having finished the feast (Communion), planning to continue the rest of worship later.

He is considered the Patron Saint of Sweden.

In practice, most Lutherans wouldn’t know one “saint” from another.  Most “saint days” fall mid-week and are often not remembered in Sunday worship either.  The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church inAmerica) does list in its worship planning resources those “saints” who we do honor for their efforts toward of the spread of Christianity or their service to humanity or God’s creation.  The practical remembrance of these “saint days” is left to individual congregations to recognize if they choose.  So you can guess what frequently happens.

On the one hand, I like to learn new things, in particular something historical in significance.  So I would probably enjoy learning more about the saints that we honor and should seek to remember.

On the other hand, elevating one person over another doesn’t sit well in my gut.  Would God approve of King Erik more than he approves of me?  Luther says we are justified by faith, not by works.  Only God can judge my faith.

I think what is important here is to remember that we honor these “saints” for the examples that they set, not so much because they were people any better than you or me.

What do you think?  Would you like to see more information about the “saints” of the Christian Church, recognized by the ELCA, in our worship bulletins?

Would you like to see more blog posts detailing the people whom our church recognizes for their contributions to the Church (capital C)?

I wonder how this blog will be reviewed in heaven by Luther and King Erik…

www.elcaAndy.org
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