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Rosner chose German theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer—well known for his participation in plots to assassinate Hitler during World War II—to illustrate his point. The failed attempts to end the madness of Nazi rule saw Bonhoeffer imprisoned and eventually executed in the final weeks of the war. Bonhoeffer was 39 years old when he died and he had become engaged to Maria von Wedemeyer only a few months before his arrest. He is celebrated for his incredible grace, composure and the positive way he dealt with incarceration and even the grim walk to the gallows. Bonhoeffer’s story of dealing with major disappointment is grounded in his profound faith in God. He didn’t believe in eliminating desire, (the Buddhist path) but sought full engagement with the world. Beauty, wonder, and love were very real to him, as was crushing sadness. He recommended that we focus on what we have, always compare ourselves with others less fortunate, and use humour as an antidote to despair. Most importantly he spoke of the need to ‘commit his cause to stronger hands’—trusting in the goodness of the God he knew as a father and who knew him as a child. He also had a deep confidence in the promise of a future life beyond the grave. As he was led to a cruel and untimely death he remarked, “This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.” During a Happiness Conference panel discussion the Australian futurist Richard Neville spoke of the need to go beyond self-referential happiness to focus on family, community and the world. ‘We need courage nobility and engagement’, he said. Bonhoeffer would agree entirely, and his life, built on an authentic, ‘lived-out’ faith, is a fitting lesson of how we might find ‘joy’ amidst the inevitable struggle and pain of the human experience. (We ask that you please keep all comments to 200 words or less) |
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