The True Meaning of October 31st

Most folks know October 31st as Halloween. Most everyone goes out trick-or-treating, watches scary movies, and wears costumes. All of these traditions started from Catholic and German rituals celebrating All Hallow’s Eve.

But what many people don’t know, or don’t celebrate, on October 31 is Reformation Day. On this day, a catholic priest named Martin Luther found the true meaning of what God wants for his church. Catholic priests were meeting in Germany to discuss how to obtain funds for building St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Martin Luther protested and went to the church they were meeting in and posted 95 Theses explaining why their practices were not Biblical. One of the major beliefs that the Catholic Church was preaching was that in order to gain forgiveness you needed to put money in the offering plate. Also, if families wanted their loved ones to move from purgatory into heaven they would need to give money; the more money one gave the less time one spend in purgatory. What Luther found and posted on the Wittenberg Church is the true meaning of God’s forgiveness and grace, and it’s definitely not something that can be bought! If it were, none of us would be able to get in heaven.

So next time October 31 comes around, remember that it’s not just a holiday for dressing up and eating the most candy. It’s a major milestone in our faith that has resonated for thousands of years.

Alex

Teen Leader / "Game Guy"