My Martin Luther quote of the day as we launch into the path of Luther is: “Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.”
Luther stood for God’s grace being sufficient. He had the courage to stand for Biblical authority at a time the church under Leo X was corrupt and had lost its way. God’s Holy Spirit finds people to be the voice of God for the time. Luther was such a voice.
After a good morning breakfast, we all arrived on time for our morning bus tour to Potsdam. It was Friday the 13th and the hotel emergency number was 666, but we found a way to start with joy. We launched the bus on a rousing rendition of happy birthday for Pastor Craig. Our tour guide, Rosey, sang it in German. Craig admitted he was older than 21…exponentially. There were even two tour members who actually live in Finley, Ohio…a short distance from Pemberville, the center of the universe….according to Craig. We let him believe that on his birthday.
As we went through central Berlin and saw monuments to the allied soldiers who fought to take Berlin, we learned that over 55 million people died as a result of the war. We feel so strongly about the death of over 5,000 soldiers in the current Gulf War against terrorism. Can you imagine the loss? Only those who lived through it can.
We saw many residences on our way to Potsdam, a city that originally was set aside as a favorite hunting site for Prussian kings. The summer residence castles became increasingly extravagant. The history shared was a bit mind-boggling…but we learned that remembering the names of the kings was not too hard…mostly Fredericks. But today’s Berlin residences are mostly rented. Only 13% of Berliners own their own homes or residences. Most are obviously not related to Frederick the Great!
We spent our first stop at Cecilienhof Palace where the Potsdam Conference with Stalin, Truman and Churchill and later Atlee. There Britain, America and the Soviet Union made the final agreement on how they would resolve the breakup of Germany. It would effect the life of Germany for 45 years. We did not get to go in, but we did walk some of the grounds and take on the shop for cards and mementoes. It was interesting to hear our Guide Benedict’s take on history. He had reservations about Truman deciding to drop nuclear weapons on Japan after giving Stalin a headsup on his weapon. Of course, Stalin’s spies were already aware of the nuclear weapon, and Truman’s announcement only accelerated their desire to finish their own. Benedict wondered whether the second bomb was necessary. Lynn reminded us that Japan had refused to surrender after the first bomb in spite of seeing the impact of the first. It remains a sensitive issue to world citizens. He was also clear that the Western allies treated Germans so much better than the Russians.
Then it was off for an early lunch and shopping stop in downtown Potsdam. We went into the Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, took in a flea market, and had time for an assortment of lunch choices and souvenirs. Oh yes, ice cream seemed to be the best reward for getting back to the bus on time. There was a nice Ice Store right next to where we were parked.
Then it was off for our scheduled trip to the Schloss Sanssouci, Frederick the Great’s summer palace. We learned that this gifted but conflicted man love the arts, music and philosophy. In fact, they were his first love. The Queen he was forced to marry was never allowed to come to the palace which makes sense out of why he had no offspring. He did invite other leaders and philosophers of all sorts to join in enlightened discussion. In attempt to counter his father’s view that he was the “soft egg,” he repeatedly proved himself in battle extending the power and lands of the Prussian empire. The grandeur of he palace was matched only by the uniqueness of the king’s story. He is buried there where his eleven dogs were buried. He also brought potatoes to Germany, and they put potatoes on his grave as he had requested.
OK, you wonder what this all has to do with the path of Luther. Absolutely nothing! But it sure was impressive. The king craved more of a simple life, and he hated the stress and traditions of Court life. He rebelled against his authoritarian and religious upbringing. Luther rebelled against the Roman Pope and Freddy the Great rebelled against his own heritage. In all of the extravagance of the palaces, you can appreciate Luther’s statement about wealth: “The Lord commonly gives riches to foolish people, to whom he gives nothing else.” Freddy may have loved to dabble in philosophy and the trappings of wealth, but he failed to find the precious pearl of faith.
We then left Potsdam for Checkpoint Charlie and a different time in Germany’s history. We stopped briefly to see a long segment of the wall that remains. The museum was chaotic. You would listen to numbered explanations. You saw the growing alarm over Soviet control and the people beginning to leave in droves. You read of the Soviets using concentration camps to hold dissidents. Most did not make it out. One of the couples attending looked up relatives on both sides of their family that had been sent to camps and did not make it out. Not all the victims of this war were Jews. The dying did not stop with Hitler. Stalin and the communists in control had a murderous history.
In America, they talk about erecting a wall to keep people out. Here, they constructed a wall to keep people in. The chaos of the exhibit matched the chaotic and innovative nature of the response. The tunnels, gliders, cars, luggage, welding machines, kayaks…were all documented. It made you remember hearing reports of escapes as a teen. What a tribute to the attraction of freedom. May we never forget to treasure that gift others paid to secure.
We ended the evening at our church family celebration along with Del, Jo and Donna as we celebrated birthdays, God grace, and the challenge of understanding evil even in our saints and family of God. We walked and taxied to the Villa am Fennpfuhl which was not more than a mile away on the far side of an adjacent park. We talked about discrimination and God’s love. While two wedding were going on upstairs we had our party, devotions and dialogue together for 12 Euros less than what we would have spent with the larger group. God is so good. The food was average but the ambiance exceptional. You couldn’t beat the smiles and laughter had by all. We decided already that Westlake Lutheran is going to have to do this again. Pilgrimages are a part of our faith journey and are even more meaningful together. But right now, it is time for sleep. Forgive any errors in this journal. No time for edits.
Comments