On October 31, over 450 years ago, Martin Luther began what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation. If you are a United Methodist, then you stand in that Reformation tradition.

Like anything that happened over 450 years ago, much of the Reformation is dated and is no longer interesting or helpful to us. It was concerned with questions raised in the 16th century, which are not our questions. But there is at least one permanent contribution that Luther has made for all of us, and that is to emphasize that Christianity is about grace. It is not about rules or requirements, it's about grace. It is not bad news, it's good news.

So for that reason alone, it is beneficial to observe Reformation Sunday, which comes on the Sunday nearest to October 31, to be reminded that the Gospel is ab…