This morning (Sunday) we went to Dachau, the first concentration camp of the Nazi Regime.  It was a holy, hallowed and sacred experience in the midst of what was one of the most horrible occasions of human history. 

 

Dachau is about 10 miles from Munich.  From 1933-1945 it was the place where over 200,000 were imprisoned and many died.  On April 29, 1945 American Troops liberated the survivors. 

 

Dachau was the camp where the clergy were imprisoned, segregated from the rest of the population, they were housed in 3 of the 34 barracks here.  The clergy were kept from the rest of the populace because they might influence their attitudes and faith.  After 1941 only the German priests were allowed to be in the chapel and to perform light duties.  All others were subjected to harsh work.  Many of them were used for the medical experiments of the Nazis.  It is known that at least 185 were infected with malaria to determine its effects. 

 

Dachau was the first camp and served as the model for all others.  Every other concentration camp is modeled after this one.  While others were larger, they followed the same format.  The conditions were deplorable and the prisoners subjected to the greatest of abuses and punishments.  Many of our group had been out the night before for dinner and refreshments and were in a jovial and happy mood.  After this encounter, there was a holy silence.  We were all reverently quiet on the ride back to the hotel.  I consider this as one of my most holy experiences, considering all those who were martyred for living their lives under oppression.  We arrived at Dachau before it opened and we were nearly the only ones there.  The silence was incredible and without others there, became an arena whereby one could visualize what must have been just 60 years ago. 

 

The experience at Dachau was only 1 and one half hours but it will leave a lifetime of memory and reflection. 

 

Dachau made me cherish our freedoms and made me thankful that we may freely worship. 

 

Elie Weisel wrote the book, Night, which is his experience of the concentration camps and the Nazi regime.  It was a horrible time.  Weisel tells of the whole camp forced to stand at attention in front of the barracks and made to watch the execution of a young man.  He was a boy and hung until he died.  Weisel tells that he hung there a long time before he died and gives a grotesque description of the young man's death.  While standing there, one of the prisoners asked, Wo zind Gott?  (Where is God?)  And Weisel says that someone else muttered so none of the gaurds could here:  He is there in front of us.  God in Christ does suffer with and for us.  When you ask Where is God?  remember that he is with you in your suffering and loss and knows what you are going through. 

 

One of Germany's great theologians, Jurgen Moltmann, wrote a book, the Crucified God, where he notes that God suffered all that he might be victorious over all.  Even in suffering we know that there is salvation in the end through our God.  Indeed, today, I walked on holy ground in remembrance of all those who were killed.  It was a solemn reminder that there are heroes and the horrible in the atrocities of history.  I think it calls us to holy living with those all around us. 

God's blessings to you.  Dan