August 27, 2023, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

"Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda!" The Church reformed and always reforming! This was the rallying cry of our forebearers in the Reformed Tradition in the 16th and 17th centuries as they called for changes in the faith and practice of the Catholic Church--which at the time was THE Church. Much has changed since then in both the Protestant and Roman Catholic Church, but the sentiment of ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda lives on, for the Church is in constant need of reform as God continues to shape us into the image of Christ. Still, talking about reform and practicing it are two different things. How do we account for hurtful actions of our forebearers and come to terms with our own shortcomings? Is this what Paul talked about when he urged his readers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds?