Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Remembering Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Today is the feast day of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the Episcopal Church's calendar.

“We are not Christ, but if we want to be Christians, we must have some share in Christ's large-heartedness by acting with responsibility and in freedom when the hour of danger comes, and by showing a real sympathy that springs, not from fear, but from the liberating and redeeming love of Christ for all who suffer. Mere waiting and looking on is not Chris­tian behavior. The Christian is called to sympathy and action, not in the first place by his own sufferings, but by the sufferings of his brothers & sisters, for whose sake Christ suffered.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers From Prison)

A prayer for today:

Gracious God, the Beyond in the midst of our life, who gave grace to your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer to know and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, and to bear the cost of following him: Grant that we, strengthened by his teaching and example, may receive your word and embrace its call with an undivided heart; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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