“Wo Konflikt ist, muss gefochten werden, ohne Kompromiss und Feigheit."

Advent I - the first mild light...

Advent I – the first mild light…

“Advent is the time of promise; it is not yet the time of fulfillment. We are still in the midst of everything and in the logical inexorability and relentlessness of destiny.… Space is still filled with the noise of destruction and annihilation, the shouts of self-assurance and arrogance, the weeping of despair and helplessness. But round about the horizon the eternal realities stand silent in…

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"The deepest meaning of Advent cannot be understood by anyone who has not first experienced being terrified unto death about himself and his human prospects and likewise what is revealed within himself about the situation and constitution of mankind in general.

The entire message about God's coming, about the Day of Salvation, about redemption drawing near, will be merely divine game-playing or sentimental lyricism unless it is grounded upon two clear findings of fact.

The first finding: insight into, and alarm over the powerlessness and futility of human life in relation to its ultimate meaning and fulfillment. The powerlessness and futility are both boundaries of our existence and are also consequences of sin. At the same time, we are keenly aware that life does have an ultimate meaning and fulfillment.

The second finding: the promise of God to be on our side, to come to meet us. God resolved to raise the boundaries of our existence and to overcome the consequences of sin.

May God help us to wake up to ourselves and in doing so, to move from ourselves toward Him.

Every temptation to live according to other conditions is a deception. Our participation in this existential lie is really the sin for which we today - as individuals, as a generation, and as a continent - are so horribly doing penance. The way to salvation will be found only in an existential conversion and return to the truth." (Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J.)

Alfred Delp: Von den Fesseln zur Freiheit ➡️ https://www.die-tagespost.de/kirche/spiritualitaet/alfred-delp-von-den-fesseln-zur-freiheit-art-246149

The Golden Threads of God's Glory

Condemned as a traitor for his opposition to Hitler, Father Alfred Delp, a Jesuit priest, wrote an Advent sermon in a Nazi prison shortly before he was hanged in 1945. 

In this sermon, he addressed the need to faithfully bear witness to the transforming and radical power of the love of God, who became one of us in Jesus to show us for all time what God is really like. 

Delp was writing in perhaps the most miserable circumstances about the glory and hope found in Advent if we actively join God in God's restorative work in the world. 

Here is a line from his Advent sermon that absolutely lit me on fire: 

Delp had a front-row seat to the rise of the Nazis in Germany both before and during WW2.  He watched seemingly upright Christians, including scores of church leaders, not only stand idly by while the extremes of fascism ruled the day, but in most cases, they also supported it.  

His Advent sermon was a primer on being Christian when the world is turned upside down.  One of the passages of Scripture that he quoted is from Paul's letter to the Ephesians: 

“Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

Delp also acknowledged that when we wake up from the slumber of a lack of conscience and the blind infatuation of Christian nationalism, we can finally look around us to see the actual state of our world or our lives. 

We might wonder what we could do to improve any of it, which is why Delp's words are so poignant and pointed.  Like "golden threads," the glory of God makes its way to us when we need it most if only we have eyes to see.  

It's our task as Christians who live in the space of Advent to point out these threads, make them known, and help others see them, too.  

Christian nationalism and fascism seem to go hand in hand.  For those who want to see a "return" to Christian values mandated by law, fascism is often the most tempting vehicle for it.  

And so they turn a blind eye to all that comes with a fascist regime, just as countless Germans did during the Nazi era.  

Fascism finds a willing partner in Christians who fall for this temptation.  Fascism tends to flourish when there is some sort of partnership with Religion, and there are always willing leaders who will all too easily carry the banner. 

I find so much relevance in Delp's persuasive argument about the role of Christians during seasons of unrest.  He declares that our job as followers of Jesus is to point to him and to fearlessly demonstrate that love wins.  

Delp knew that he might die at any moment.  He had been imprisoned for years, and even the war's end would not save him.  In the 11th hour of the Nazi regime's ultimate demise, orders of execution were carried out against him and scores of other dissenters.  

It's inspiring to think that even as he neared the end of his journey, Delp clung to the hope of Advent---that the dawn of a new world would shine, and all would see the threads of God's glory.  

Let's each, in our way, strive to be the kind of followers of Jesus who spend the Advent season doing our best to point to light, hope, joy, and love.  

Even though it might mean we're in the minority at times, we also ought to be speaking up and out about the ways Jesus is often eclipsed when Christians don't practice their faith the way they preach about it. 

One of the main points of nearly every Epistle in the New Testament is to not let ourselves become assimilated by the Empire. There is always an Empire to resist, by the way.  

Trust me on this: the Empire never likes it when people begin examining their faith, following Jesus more closely, and publicly sharing what they're discovering. 

During this Advent season, let's raise our expectations about what God can do.  Let's dedicate ourselves to sharing our God-sightings in the world around us. 

Let's find the golden threads of God's glory here on earth and then tell the world about them.  The presence of Christ in the world is not a story that was. Rather, it is a story that is and will be.

May you find your way through Advent with these words of hope and encouragement. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever. Amen.  

Nächster Meilenstein für Stadtquartier

Donauwörth: „…Für die städtebauliche Konversion der ehemaligen Alfred-Delp-Kaserne in Donauwörth ist eine weitere wichtige Etappe genommen: Die Regierung von Schwaben hat die 9. Änderung des Flächennutzungsplans der Stadt Donauwörth genehmigt. Damit kann die Stadt den Bebauungsplan für den 1,3 Hektar großen Teilbereich „Alfred-Delp-Quartier, 1. Bauabschnitt – Erweiterung‘“ nun in Kraft setzen: In…

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‘Karl Rahner: His Life, Thought & Works’ (1963) is the 2nd work by Herbert Vorgrimler which I have read. I would recommend reading this first, & then his ‘Understanding Karl Rahner: An Introduction to his Life & Thought’ (1986). I thought Rahner may have served in either World War, but he did not. He was born in Freiburg in the Black Forest, so hoping my Ferenbach or Algeier relatives may prove a connection. Rahner was influenced by Henri de Lubac, SJ & Jean Danielou, SJ by their modern French studies in patrology. Danielou did serve in the French Air Force 1939-1940, after the French capitulation he returned to his theological studies. De Lubac fought in the French Army in WW I. Two famous young Catholics stayed with the Rahner family; Karl was present & became friends with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. When Joseph Ratzinger stayed Karl & his brother & fellow Jesuit Hugo, both were not present. One of Rahner’s Latin students, Alfred Delp would become a Jesuit, was later arrested & hanged in 1945 by the Nazis. Another of Rahner’s former students, Johann Baptist Metz, SJ, would revise 2 of his works. Rahner also developed & deepened the transcendental philosophy of the Belgian Jesuit, the transcendental Thomist, Joseph Marechal, SJ. Marechal studied psychology under Wilhelm Wundt, & felt he was more a psychologist than he was a philosopher. Rahner was one of the 1st professional theologians to assert forthrightly the need for a genuine ‘renewal of the Diaconate’ for mostly married men. His ‘Diaconia in Christo’ was widely read by the Fathers of Vatican II. The existence of married deacons would be a new opening to the Eastern Churches tradition – and, indeed of the sacrament of matrimony. When you read a work for research you end up finding others to read. By Rahner ‘Encounters with Silence’ (1960, ‘Prayers for Meditation’ (1962), ‘The Mystical Way of life’ (collections of his sermons & prayers). And by Joseph Marechal, SJ ‘The Psychology of Mysticism’. (1927). https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd8B_8Urx8N/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

from the foreword to Advent of the Heart by Alfred Delp

Manchmal gibt es Momente, da wünschst du dir, die Entscheidungen nicht selbst treffen zu müssen. In diesem Moment wünscht du dir, dass dich jemand an die Hand nimmt - den Weg mit dir gemeinsam läuft. In diesem Moment gibt es nur einen Menschen, der dir helfen kann; Du selbst. Du musst deine Schuhe selbst anziehen, dir in den Arsch treten und den Weg weiter laufen - egal, wie steinig er ist. In solchen Momenten bist du der Mensch, der dir am meisten helfen kann. Nimm das Ruder selbst in die Hand. Zieh die Schuhe an, steh auf, geh raus. Du kannst etwas verändern! Du kannst den Wind nicht ändern, aber die Segel anders setzen.

Alfred Delp

gefeiert am 2. Februar

Alfred Delp Priester, Ordensmann, Journalist, Märtyrer * 15. September 1907 in Mannheim in Baden-Württemberg † 2. Februar 1945 in Berlin-Plötzensee

Alfred Delp, wurde am 15.September 1907 im Wöchnerinnenasyl Luisenheim in Mannheim geboren und zwei Tage später dort getauft.

Bei der späteren katholischen Hochzeit der Eltern musste sein evangelischer Vater schriftlich zusagen, dass die aus dieser Ehe hervorgehenden Kinder katholisch getauft und erzogen werden. Dieses Versprechen konnte der Vater nicht einhalten, denn die junge Familie musste aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen bei den evangelischen Eltern des Vaters in Hüttenfeld leben, wo die Großmutter, stolz auf ihre evangelische Familientradition, die evangelische Erziehung des Jungen durchsetzte, was zu Dauerkonflikt in der Familie führte. Er besuchte die evangelische Volksschule und feierte am 28.März 1921 seine Konfirmation. Trotzdem hielt der 14-jährige weiterhin Kontakt zur katholischen Pfarrgemeinde. Nach einem Streit mit dem Pastor trennte sich der Jugendliche von der evangelischen Kirche. Bereits im Juni des gleichen Jahres erhielt er die Erstkommunion und wurde gefirmt. Er wurde durch die katholische Jugendbewegung "Bund Neudeutschland" geprägt und trat gleich nach dem Abitur 1926 in den Jesuitenorden ein, wo seine intellektuelle Begabung und Belesenheit geschätzt, seine protestantischen Neigungen aber kritisiert wurden. Er studierte Theologie und Philosophie und promovierte mit einer Arbeit über Martin Heidegger. Als Erzieher und Lehrer wirkte er dann am Kolleg St.Blasien im Schwarzwald.

Schon früh setzte sich Delp mit dem Nationalsozialismus auseinander. 1937 wurde er zum Priester geweiht, wirkte als Arbeiterseelsorger und als Journalist bei der von Jesuiten herausgegebenen Monatszeitschrift "Stimmen der Zeit", die 1939 verboten wurde, und war dann als Seelsorger in München-Bogenhausen tätig. Seine kritischen Predigten wurden geschätzt; die Unvereinbarkeit von Christentum und Nationalsozialismus war ihm unverkennbar: "Wo Konflikt ist, muss gefochten werden, ohne Kompromiss und Feigheit". Delp setzte sich aktiv für verfolgte Juden ein. 1941 begegnete er in Berlin Helmuth James Graf von Moltke, der ihn für seinen Kreisauer Kreis gewann, wo er als Experte für Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft des von diesem Kreis geplanten deutschen Staates nach dem Ende der Nazi-Diktatur fungierte. Der Kreisauer Kreis stand im Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus, nach Graf von Stauffenbergs Attentat vom 20.Juli 1944 flog der Kreis auf, seine Mitglieder wurden verhaftet; Delp wurde am 28.Juli festgenommen und nach Berlin in die Strafanstalt Tegel gebracht. Dort wurde er schwer misshandelt und gefoltert. "Der Herrgott holt uns von allen Postamenten herunter" kritzelte er gequält und verzweifelt mit gebundenen Händen auf einen Zettel. Während der Haftzeit machte ihm die Gestapo das Angebot der "Freilassung gegen Ordensaustritt", was aber von Delp ausgeschlagen wurde.

Delp legte am 8.Dezember 1944 in der Haftanstalt Berlin-Tegel seine letzten, feierlichen Gelübde ab.

Im Januar 1945 begann vor dem Volksgerichtshof unter Roland Freisler der Prozess wegen Hochverrats. Er wurde am 11. Januar 1945 zu Tode verurteilt und schrieb: "Nicht traurig sein. Betet für mich, ich helfe euch auch ..... Jetzt muss ich mich ganz loslassen .... Was auch immer kommen mag, es sei gegeben für Euch und dieses Volk als Samen und Opfer."

Am 2. Februar 1945 wurde er im Gefängnis in Berlin-Plötzensee erhängt. Seine Asche wurde auf Feldern verstreut, die Veröffentlichung einer Todesanzeige verboten.

THE BLESSED WOMAN

Mary is the most comforting of all the Advent figures.  Advent’s holiest consolation is that the angel’s annunciation met with a ready heart.  The Word became flesh in a motherly heart and grew out far beyond itself into the world of God-humanity.  What good does it do us to sense and feel our misery unless a bridge is thrown over to the other shore?  What help is it to be terrified at our lostness and confusion unless a light flashes up that is a match for darkness and always is its master?  What good does it do to shiver in the coldness and hardness in which the world freezes as it goes deeper astray in itself and kills itself, unless we also come to know of the grace that is mightier than the peril of oblivion?

Poets and myth-makers and mankind’s other tellers of stories and fairy tales have often spoken of mothers.  One time they meant the Earth; another time they meant nature.  By this word they tried to disclose the mysterious creative fount of all things, to conjure up the welling mystery of life.  In all this there was hunger and anticipation and longing and Advent — waiting for this blessed woman.

That God became a mother’s son; that there could be a woman walking the Earth whose womb was consecrated to be the holy temple and tabernacle of God — that is actually Earth’s perfection and the fulfillment of its expectations.

So many kinds of Advent consolation stream from the mysterious figure of the blessed, expectant Mary.  The gray horizons must grow light.  It is only the immediate scene that shouts so loudly and insistently.  Beyond these things is a different realm, one that is now in our midst.  The woman has conceived the child, sheltered it beneath her heart, and given birth to the Son.  The world has come under a different law.  We are not speaking of only historical events that happened once, on which our salvation rests.  Advent is the promise denoting the new order of things, of life, of our existence.

We must remember today with courage that the blessed woman of Nazareth foreshadows the light in our midst today.  Deeper down in our being, our days and our destinies, too, bear the blessing and mystery of God.  The blessed woman waits, and we must wait too until her hour has come.

Excerpted from “The Shaking Reality of Advent” by Fr Alfred Delp (Condemned as a traitor for his opposition to Hitler, Alfred Delp, a Jesuit priest, wrote this piece in a Nazi prison shortly before he was hanged in 1945.)

This excerpt, and the remainder of the essay, appear as the December 5 reading in "Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas", © 2001, The Plough Publishing, Farmington, PA. 

Art: Immaculate Conception by Elizabeth Wang

"This should be our first Advent light: to understand everything, all that happens to us and all that threatens us, from the perspective of life's character of waiting. We must endure the blessedness and un-blessedness of waiting because we are under way. The character of life is to keep going, to keep a lookout, and to endure until the vigilant heart of man and the heart of God who meets us come together: presently in the true interior meeting in the sacraments and, later, in the final homecoming. God enters only His own rooms, where someone is always keeping watch for Him. 'Those who really wait for Him will not be disappointed.'

People who fail to live out of the center can be alienated from themselves so easily by outside influences. Other values of secondary importance impose themselves, making life inauthentic and bringing it under an alien law and an alien paradigm. Are we living out of the center of our being, or from memory, from impulses, but not because we are settled in the center of reality and find our stability nourished there? (Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J.)

“Advent is the time of the promise, not yet the fulfillment. We are still standing in the middle of the whole thing, in the logical relentlessness and inevitability of destiny. To captive eyes, it still appears that the ultimate throw of the dice indeed will be cast here below in these valleys, on these battlefields, in these camps, and prisons, and cellars. One keeping vigil, though, senses the other powers at work and can await their hour.” 

— Alfred Delp, SJ: Advent of the Heart

Alfred Delp: „Die Freude im Menschenleben hat mit Gott zu tun“ ➡️ https://www.die-tagespost.de/kirche/spiritualitaet/alfred-delp-die-freude-im-menschenleben-hat-mit-gott-zu-tun-art-245991

Der Investor für den Bürgerspital-Bau steht in den Startlöchern

Der Investor für den Bürgerspital-Bau steht in den Startlöchern

Donauwörth: „…Das Konzept für den Bau des neuen Pflegeheims in der Donauwörther Parkstadt steht. Auch eine neue Kita und weitere Einrichtungen sind im Alfred-Delp-Quartier geplant. Die Entwicklung der Großprojekte in Donauwörth nimmt Fahrt auf: Nach den jüngsten Beschlüssen zur Aufwertung und Verkehrsberuhigung in der Reichsstraße und der Fertigstellung des Freibades geht es nun an den Neubau…

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