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A reflection and prayer to start the day with Iwan Russell Jones, a lay reader for the Church in Wales

Bore da, good morning!

It鈥檚 Halloween and many will be making plans to celebrate later. But perhaps it鈥檚 missed your notice that it鈥檚 also Reformation Day, marking an event that hit Europe like an earthquake in the 16th century and whose aftershocks are still being felt today.

I have to say that, despite being from a Protestant background myself, it鈥檚 never been a day in which I鈥檝e invested much time and effort. In an age like ours, when faith of any kind often seems to be in short supply, I鈥檓 not interested in commemorating old battles in the wars of religion or celebrating divisions in the Christian church.

But I think there鈥檚 one very good reason for continuing to mark Reformation Day in the 21st century. When Martin Luther published his 95 Theses 鈥� his arguments against the established church of his day, which sparked the Protestant revolt 鈥� he wasn鈥檛 just objecting to what he saw as corrupt religious racketeering. He was protesting against the buying and selling of something precious that money can never buy, what Jesus called 鈥榯he pearl of great price鈥� - the love and grace of God that is freely offered to all. And today I think that鈥檚 something on which Christians of all traditions can agree. It is by grace that we have been saved, through faith, and this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God鈥�.

Loving God, forgive us the cynicism and pride that lead us to imagine we can package you up as a product for the market-place. Help us to turn outwards from ourselves and to receive the gift of life that you alone offer. Amen