Today commemorates Thomas Cranmer. He was an English priest who worked at getting King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon ended. When Henry broke with the Roman Church, he appointed Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury (1533), to the highest-ranking church post in England. Cranmer had protestant leanings but was unable to act on them to any great extent until Henry’s son Edward took the throne (1547). During Edward’s reign, Cranmer prepared the first two versions of the Book of Common Prayer. These have influenced worship in the Anglican Church including the Episcopal Church ever since. They also had a strong influence on Lutherans in America as they began to use English in worship. In 1553 the Roman Catholic Mary came to the throne. Cranmer was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1556.

Archbishop Cranmer’s death is another appalling incident of Christians killing other Christians in the name of God. Some people despise anyone who differs from them in any way. There are people who take delight in telling others they aren’t really Christians because of one thing or another. Jesus didn’t teach this hatred. Blessed Savior, have mercy on your deluded followers!

Differences don’t mean people have to be enemies. There are people who like different worship styles than I do, people who understand the Bible differently than I do, people vote for different political candidates than I do. Yet, I recognize all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord as brothers and sisters in faith.

Enough! Dear friends in Christ, let us love one another.

Read 1 John 4:7 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne