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Slow Faith

Slow is the new fast.

Emerging out of Italy in the 1980s, the so-called “slow food movement” began as a reaction to the increasing industrialization of eating. It values tradition and the fine art of the acquired taste.

To eat “slow” means to adopt a posture not only toward food but toward the nature of the human flourishing. According to the Slow Food philosophy, the microwave, for all its temporal merits, shall have no share in the eternal kingdom.
    

Since its inception with fighting fast food, “slow” has spread to other areas of life. For instance, “slow fashion” has arisen as an alternative to mass-produced, chain-store clothing.

Lexicographer Erin McKean, tracing the deliberate-phenomenon, notes that other “slow” philosophies now include “slow parenting,” in which parents allow their children more unstructured and unscheduled time for play and exploration, and “slow art,” which encourages deep contemplation rather than superficial viewing.

Consider me an advocate for slow faith.    

Slow Faith submits to the Lord who labors long in His vineyard, who as the Master Vinedresser has taught us that ripeness cannot be rushed.

Junk food or seven-course feast

Conversion can occur in a moment; new birth happens as quick as you can say “in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” But the process that the Scriptures call being conformed to the likeness of Christ—or “sanctification” for short—that takes a lifetime.

So often, at least in my experience, we want faith’s progress to be easily apparent and its rewards immediately apprehended. In other words, we want our faith to be like our junk food: a satisfying jolt of instant gratification. The Christian life is less like devouring a Hot Pocket, however, and more like savoring a seven-course feast. It can only be had slow


Slow Faith is embodied by the deep rhythms of the Divine Service, even it's something of an "acquired taste." Inasmuch as the liturgy eschews saccharine sweetness for more subtle textures, it’s fitting in more ways than one that wine should figure so prominently in the Church’s worship. It takes time and tutoring to appreciate the fullness of the liturgy’s flavor. So it is for the whole of the life of faith.


Gradually working our way

In his book The Way That Leads There, Lutheran theologian and ethicist Gilbert Meilaender writes, ”Much of what we learn about human nature and human life comes from gradually working our way into a tradition of thought and learning from predecessors within it, especially those who are acknowledged masters.”


Gradually working our way into a tradition and learning from its predecessors: this is Slow Faith. It neither relies on the fleeting pleasures of emotional highs (though they are welcomed when they come), nor leans on the latest and greatest (though the glad good news of the gospel is ever fresh, ever new).

Slow Faith submits to the Lord who labors long in His vineyard, who as the Master Vinedresser has taught us that ripeness cannot be rushed, that maturity is no overnight achievement, and that the good soil can only bear fruit with patience.   


Lent is time for cultivating this slow faith. In a felicitous coincidence of language, the Latin word lente means "slowly." This is the season for slowing down, repenting of our sins done in haste, and attending to the mercy of our Lord—who is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." 

Last *Wednesday's* sermon

I was away this past Sunday, but as a bonus here's the sermon from Ash Wednesday—the first in our Lent midweek series on the signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John, "All Signs Point to Christ."

Listen to Wednesday's sermon

News & Notes

  • All over the news nowadays we are hearing about COVID-19, aka the coronavirus. Lyman Stone, a demographics expert and LCMS missionary  serving in Hong Kong (i.e., on the front lines of corona concerns), has composed a comprehensive document on how churches can prepare to respond to the virus. At this point, no cases have been reported in Michigan. But I'll be reviewing this document with our Elders, and if & when the virus arises in our region you can be assured that our church will take the necessary and responsible steps to ensure the health of our community. Meanwhile, let's continue in prayer for those affected.
  • I have a movie recommendation for you—one that was probably not on your radar. "A Hidden Life," directed by Terrence Malick, is a masterpiece.  Based on the true story of Franz Jagerstatter, a devout Austrian Christian who refused to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler during WWII, it's one of the most profound portrayals of faith I've ever seen in film. It's long (almost 3 hours), but well worth a viewing. It'll be released on DVD soon, or can be streamed now on Amazon Prime.  
  • The family and I had a nice little break, spending a couple of days at the Great Wolf Lodge in TC and enjoying time together. I'm grateful to Rev. Jim Schroeder for filling in. It's a pleasure for pastors to get to sit in the pew with their family, as I did Sunday. Thank you for your support and encouragement for me to actually use my vacation days! 

Looking ahead to Sunday

The 2nd Sunday in Lent
  • Readings
    • Old Testament lesson—Genesis 12:1-9
    • Epistle lesson—Romans 4:1-8, 13-17
    • Gospel—John 3:1-17

+ Lenten Blessings +

Pastor Tinetti

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