Blog

Hey y’all.

Thank you for the prayers.   I am feeling much better, the weather has cooled off (from 102 to 82 – yeah!) and we spent most of the day outside, so I am much revived.

Personal thoughts from our time in Erfurt.

Two powerful things took place yesterday – among the highest and humbling spiritual experiences I can recall.  We received a private tour of the sanctuary in the Augustinian Cloister in which Martin Luther became a monk.  He was ordained a priest at the large cathedral downtown, but celebrated his first mass in this sanctuary as well.  Part of a monks process of taking a vow is to lay prostrate before the altar and offer oneself fully to service to God.  While it felt silly at first, I did it anyway – laying facedown on the stone, right where Luther did the same, and taking some deep breaths committed myself more fully to seeking to know and serve God.  “I am yours” was the prayer running through my mind.  In no way to I equate my ministry to that of Martin Luther, but it was a powerful moment in my nearly 30 years of ministry and deeply humbling as well. 

Then after our tour was complete, I had the privilege of celebrating Holy Communion in the same chancel where Luther celebrated his first.  Again, a high honor yet humbling as well.  Considering everything that Luther went through to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord, it is a joyous calling for us all to do the same.  Pictures below explain.

Original stained glass windows and altar in the sanctuary

Luther stayed in this guest house when he first arrived, seeking to become a monk.

Luther’s cell at the monastery