A Small Detour During My Trip in Germany
I am currently in Germany. Why? I am here to give a talk for a conference on the Catholic identity of Catholic Charities in Berlin.
But there’s more. This year is also the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation being marked in Wittenberg, a small town about an hour south of Berlin. This still medieval-like town, now called Lutherstadt Wittenberg is where Martin Luther posted his famous 95 theses on the door of Castle Church n 1517 that started the movement.
So I decided to “eavesdrop” on the pilgrimages being made to Wittenberg for an overnight a couple of days prior to the Conference. I love when a “non-plan” comes together. This and other postings are not “theological treatises” of ecumenical dialogue. These are a few thoughts of one sojourner to a conference on Catholic identity distracted for a day or two meandering to the founding city of Protestantism.
Last evening as I entered the town, I saw a notice for an organ recital in an hour in the City Church of St. Mary’s where Luther did much of his preaching. I quickly dropped off my bag in the hotel and walked over. It was a great way to begin my dropping in on the 500th anniversary.
So here I stand, how could I do other? Yes, the allusion is intentional. What is coincidence, but the grace of God. He’s a much better planner than I am. Thank God – pun intended. I am off to walk this still medieval-feeling town today.