Tag Archives: Dietrich Bonhoeffer

How About Spending Time with Dietrich Bonhoeffer this Lent?

By | |
Leave a comment

I noticed that you subscribed to my blog, Common Place Book, in the past and wanted to make you aware of a Lenten mailing list I will be sending. If you do not want to receive the mailing list, please contact me at charles@discipleswalk.org to let me know.

Below I have provided some information on what I will be emailing.

I’ve been thinking about Ash Wednesday and Lent for several weeks and wondering if there was a Lenten practice I wanted to take up this year or maybe share with others.

Several years ago I came across the book 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer and mentioned it on this blog.  The more I think about that small book, the more I have become convinced Lent would be a good time to take up a daily reading from it.

While the selections from Bonhoeffer’s writings were not selected specifically with Lent in mind, I think it is always good to spend time with him and additionally this book offers a great pattern for a Lenten practice (or for that matter a pattern for any time of reflection).

Each day offers the following – 

  • A brief quotation from Bonhoeffer’s books Discipleship or Life Together
  • A verse or two from Scripture
  • Some “Questions to Ponder”
  • A few sentences from a Psalm
  • Suggestions for Journaling
  • A thought or two for prayers of intercession
  • A closing prayer 

What do you think about giving this a try?

I have created a mailing list and around midday (Central Time) each day of Lent will send out an email with the day’s reading.

By the way, the emails will be sent to the list address lent2022@discipleswalk.org and will be sent from my charles@discipleswalk.org email address.

I hope you want to give this a try with me.

Charles

{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

Highest Joy – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

By | |
Leave a comment

To go one’s way under the sign of the cross is not misery and desperation, but peace and refreshment for the soul, it is the highest joy.  Then we do not walk under our self-made laws and burdens, but under the yoke of him who knows us and who walks under the yoke with us.  Under his yoke we are certain of his nearness and communion.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Sabbath Rest – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

By | |
Leave a comment

The goal of hallowing Sunday[/Sabbath] is the Sunday rest. God wants to lead God’s people to God’s own rest, to relax from the earthly workday…. Freed from imperfect human effort, the people of God are to gaze on the completed pure work of God and to participate in it. As a reflection and promise of this eternal rest with the Creator and Redeemer of the world, the Christian who keeps Sunday holy is permitted to experience Sunday rest.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Conspiracy and Imprisonment, 1940-1945, p 644

Manger and Kingdom – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

By | |
Leave a comment

It is no longer a worldly throne and kingdom as it once was but a spiritual throne and kingdom.

Where are Jesus’ throne and kingdom?

They are where he himself is present, reigns, and governs with his word and sacrament, in the church, in the congregation….

We are called into this kingdom. We can find it, within the church, in the community of the faithful, when we receive the word and sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ and submit to his authority, when we recognize the child in the manger as our Savior and Redeemer and let him bestow on us a new life grounded in love.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Works, v 16, p 616, “Christmas Night Sermon, 25 December 1940”.

(Find a couple of questions at Disciples’ Walk.)

Imperfect – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

By | |
Leave a comment

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.

From: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas Sermons

Check DisciplesWalk.org for a few comments.