CLINGING TO THE ROPE

Sophie Scholl wrote, “The only remedy for a barren heart is prayer, however poor and inadequate…if I can’t write anything else just now, it’s only because there’s a terrible absurdity about a drowning man who, instead of calling for help, launches into a scientific, philosophical, or theological dissertation while the sinister tentacles of the creatures on the seabed are encircling his arms and legs, and the waves are breaking over him. It’s only because I’m filled with fear, that and nothing else, and feel an undivided yearning for him who can relieve me of it.

I’m still so remote from God that I don’t even sense his presence when I pray. Sometimes when I utter God’s name, in fact, I feel like sinking into a void. It isn’t a frightening or dizzying sensation, it’s nothing at all… and that’s far more terrible. But prayer is the only remedy for it, and however many devils scurry around inside me; I shall cling to the rope God has thrown me, even if my numb hands can no longer feel it. However poor and inadequate prayer may be, it is the only real help for despair.”

Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) a German Lutheran student with her brother Hans, also a university student, wrote and distributed tracts denouncing Hitler and the Third Reich. They were arrested and beheaded by guillotine hours after being found guilty. She was twenty-one years old and Hans was twenty-three. They were part of the White Rose Resistance.

Sophie School said as they prepared to behead her, “How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause. Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?”

“Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” Jesus