It's really all about reunification

Today we spent most of the day sightseeing in Berlin, a city located along the Spree River rich in history with incredibly beautiful architecture, sculptures and boulevards. It has some very old structures and some very new ones now too. But the over riding theme for me today was that Berlin is a reunited city in a unified Germany. The Wall that once separated the city for 28 years came down quickly in 1989 and once the country was reunified in 1990, Berlin regained it's title as the country's capital.  Reunification. 

 

 

The only evidence we saw of The Wall that separated the East from the West was a brick line in the street and a small area where the Wall still stands but is now decorated with a mural of artwork. And Checkpoint Charlie is a place to buy souvenirs. Reunification. 

L

 

 

 

I was most impacted by the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It's design is symbolic of the persecution of Jews on so many levels. The grey color-for me represented death, solemnity, ash, sadness and lack of distinction in the victims that died. I felt that the muli-sized concrete rectangles represented the various ages, socioeconomic status, and lack of identity of the victims. The sculpture also looked like a graveyard of coffins where one could easily get lost in the maze of grief, and anger and despair over what had happened. The fact that Germany built the memorial and named it for what actually happened, murder, has helped heal a very deep wound. Reunification. 

 

Reunification. It is a never ending theme in our gospels as Jesus taught his disciples and now us, to extend His love to others. Only then can His perfect love break down the barriers that divide us. Luther spoke of it when it was revealed to him that it is only through God's grace and not our works that we can be reunited with our heavenly Father. So you see, it's really all about reunification! Amen.