Sophie Scholl - a Christian martyr and a light to the world. Sunday Reflections, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

 

Sophie Scholl in 1942 

(9 May 1921 - 22 February 1943) [Wikipedia; photo]

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (I Cor 2:2; Second Reading).

Reading (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Matthew 5:13-16 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge 

A View of Toledo (detail)

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden (Mt 5:15; Gospel).

One of the darkest periods in the history of the world was 1939 to 1945 when much of the world was at war. At the heart of the darkness was Nazi Germany, where freedom had been almost entirely suppressed. But not quite. Between June 1942 and February 1943 a small group of students at the University of Munich with their philosophy professor Kurt Huber formed The White Rose, a non-violent resistance group working against Hitler and the Nazi regime. 

Among the leaders were Sophie Scholl and her older brother Hans. They were executed within minutes of each other by guillotine. Both were devout Lutherans. It is said that she was influenced by the writings of St John Henry Cardinal Newman. Others in the group, such as Willi Graf, were devout Catholics. Not all were Christians but they shared a commitment to speaking the truth, even if it cost them their young lives. Most were in their early 20s.

Blessed Clemens August Graf von Galen 

[Wikipedia; photo]

'The Lion of Münster'

One German Catholic who had a great impact on the group was Blessed Clemens August Graf von Galen, Bishop of Münster, Germany, who died just after being made a cardinal in 1946, a giant of a man physically (6 feet 7 inches /2.01 m tall), morally and spiritually. He was known as 'The Lion of Münster'. In a series of sermons in 1941 he denounced some of the policies of Hitler, including that of euthanasia. Hans and Sophie Scholl used one of these in a leaflet that The White Rose printed and distributed secretly.

It was while distributing leaflets - the movement produced a total of six, their only means of communication - at the University of Munich, that Hans and Sophie were caught and then executed.

The members of The White Rose are remembered and honoured today and a number of films have been made about them. 

White Rose Memorial, University of Munich

[Wikipedia; photo]

Hans and Sophie Scholl and their companions knew that their lives were in danger. But their Christian faith led them to be the salt of the earth . . . the light of the world. Through them at least some experienced the truth of the words of Isaiah 9:2 quoted in Matthew 4:16, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned. 

Salt is of use only when it is mixed with other things. The light of the sun doesn't exist for itself, for us to look at it. If we did we would be blinded. It is meant to light up everything around us, as we are meant by being salt and light to bring others to taste and see the joy of knowing Jesus the Risen Lord.

Not many are called, as some of the members of The White Rose were, to be the salt of the earth . . . the light of the world by laying down their lives. But those in The White Rose got their Christian faith, their moral values from others who for them were the salt of the earth . . . the light of the world. Some of them, including Sophie and Hans Scholl, had belonged to various Nazi movements for young people but saw through the false values being promoted and left. 

In other words, they had been formed in solid values by others, older persons such as parents, some teachers perhaps. others trying to live honest and upright lives as followers of Jesus, 'missionary disciples', as Pope Francis calls us to be in Evangelii Gaudium No 120, without even being aware that they were such. The Pope reminds us there: In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.

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If you google 'Sophie Scholl' or 'The White Rose' on YouTube you will find many videos about the movement. The Film Sophie Scholl - the Final Days  (with English subtitles), directed by Marc Rothemund and starring Julia Jentsch as Sophie, was made in 2005. The trailer is below.

I find the opening scene incredibly poignant: two young German women living under a tyranny and singing along with American singer Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson and his orchestra (here). The Nazis were very ambivalent towards jazz music and would have considered Billie Holiday and Teddy Wilson Untermenschen - less than human - because they were African-Americans.

Praise our Lord

Music by William Byrd, sung by Voces8.

Praise our Lord all ye Gentiles, praise him all ye people, Because his mercy is confirmed upon us, and his truth remaineth for ever. Amen. (Psalm 117 [116]).

Traditional Latin Mass

Septuagesima Sunday

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 02-05-2023 if necessary).

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5. Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16.

Gospel Lectionary of Henry III

German Miniaturist [Web Gallery of Art]

This illustration of the Gospel shows the labourers working in the vineyard  and receiving their wages.