Mission Monthly – August 2000

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A few weeks ago Public Broadcast Television aired an original movie on the life of the famous German Lutheran pastor and scholar, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This was not my first encounter with the life and death of this 20th century Christian martyr who gave his life defending the Christian faith along with other German faithful, against Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.My first encounter was through Steven CurtisChapman's inspired Christian music album entitled, “For the Sake of the Call” based on Bonhoeffer's book, 'The Cost of Discipleship.” My second encounter was when I read Bonhoeffer's captivating book for myself.

Dr. Bonhoeffer was in America in 1939 while his Germany increasingly fell under the brutal control of National Socialism (Nazism). Hitler's rise to power and attempts to control the conscience of the German people was beyond “a great concern” for Bonhoeffer. Without regret he decided to return to his oppressed and persecuted fellow Christians at a time when they needed him most. Bonhoeffer wrote in a private letter, “Ishall have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life after the war if I do not share in the trials of this time with my people….” Later he wrote from prison, “I am sure of God's hand and guidance… You must never doubt that I am thankful and glad to go the way which I am being led. My past life is abundantly full of God's mercy, and above all sin stands the forgiving love of the Crucified [One].”Soon after his return to Germany Bonhoeffer was indeed arrested and imprisoned for treason, painfully interrogated and tragically hung on April 9th, 1945, days before his prison was liberated by Allied forces.

Many have debated whether Bonhoeffer's death was a necessary one. His voluntary choice to return to Germany, knowing with relative certainty the consequences, opens wide the door of discussion on what it means to die for Christ. Bonhoeffer's choice may very well have equaled our Mission's patron, St. Ignatius of Antioch,as he faced the “Caesar” of his own day. How many of us will ever be faced with the possibility of literally shedding our blood for Christ? How many ways are there for me to understand these words of Jesus, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13)?

Often overshadowed by the glories and drama of Christian martyrdom are the simple ways in which I can “lay down my life” each day. How many times each day do I have the opportunity to “set aside” my own needs, wants, desires and opinions in order to care for those of others; in order to pray, to fast, to liturgize, and to care for the poor and needy and fulfill my life in Christ as a true and obedient disciple. As Bonhoeffer's book title affirms, there is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus Christ; that cost is the giving of one's life completely to witnessing to the fullness of our life in Christ! Each day brings a multitude of ways for me to die to myself, though I can only hope that God may grant me the eyes to see and the will to act. This, beloved, is indeed our first calling as disciples of Christ May we respond unselfishly, in body and soul alike, that each daily death may truly prepare us to courageously face all challenges and persecutions. And so when this life is ended, be it a painless, blameless and peaceful death or one forced upon us in defense of our Lord Jesus Christ, our faith and hope in God's promise and the Resurrection of Christ will be our witness unto life eternal and to the glory of God's Holy Name. “What kind of joy is this that counts it a blessing to suffer? What kind of joy is this that gives the prisoner his song? What kind of joy could stare death in the face and see it as sweet victory? This is the joy of a soul that's forgiven arid free” (Steven Curtis Chapman).