The Church celebrates the Protestant Reformation on the last Sunday of October. It was 496 years ago, on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg. This action set in motion a wave of reform within the Church challenging certain practices and ideas.

Luther, a monk and seminary professor, was threatened with excommunication and asked to retract his writings - to recant. After much prayer, this was his response:

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen!"

It is said that Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was the marching hymn of the Reformation. Here is a version that I recorded with the APU University Choir and Orchestra in the mid 90's:

Just as Luther called for reform within the Church in his day, may we seek reform today - Reformation of anything within the church that does not focus on Jesus Christ and his story of salvation.

Blessings upon you!