My thoughts about Franz Jaagerstatter, the Austrian farmer who was beheaded by the Nazis for refusing to take a military oath to Hitler: binged.it/2ZbmBhu (The subject of Terrence Malick’s new film “A Hidden Life.”) Further meditations:
Conversation
1. Before taking his stand, Franz consulted his priest and local bishop. They urged him to do his duty, not to concern himself with political matters for which he was not responsible. Franz trusted his own conscience above all.
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2. Franz acted with no expectation that his action would stop Hitler or even that his witness would be known or remembered by anyone. He was motivated entirely by his own sense of what was right and true.
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3. Franz had a dream of a shiny train, crowded with passengers. The train was “bound for hell.” This train was National Socialism. Surely, he thought, one should jump off such a train when you know the destination—even though it cost your life.
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4. Though he would leave his children orphans, Franz received the support of his loving wife, Franziska. She would have preferred that her husband live, but she also put her trust in God.
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5. Franz took seriously the value of his immortal soul. He weighed his sacrifice in the light of eternity. Thus, he attributed a weight to war, racism, and genocide that church leaders otherwise assigned to matters like divorce and birth control.
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6. From a distance one can recognize how correct Franz was in his judgment on Nazism—yet for years his example embarrassed the Austrian/German church, since it called in question the actions of everyone else of his time.
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7. Franz’s story has special resonance at a time when our culture and politics are being corrupted by the virus of lies, corruption, and moral relativism, when so many are willing to bargain their souls for material benefit or short-term political gain.
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8. What things of our own time do we fail to recognize as worthy of our full dedication and sacrifice? He reminds us that the gospel is a disruption in history and our lives that calls for a total response. The consequences are not in our hands. (Icon William McNichols)
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9. Franziska Jagerstatter died in 2013 at the age of 100. She lived to see her husband beatified in 2007. She said: “It was a long Good Friday But I feel I am closer to Easter now.” When it comes to the gospel (and the church) we need to take the long view.
In remembering the heroism of Franz and Franziska Jagerstatter, lets us also remember the courage of Sophie Scholl and many others who refused to put the cult of war and genocide before their faith in a loving God.
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After a one year homemade novena to Blessed Franz, a prayer was answered with more substance & surprise than ever expected
Blessed Franz, pray for the insignificant, the poor, uneducated, hidden, persecuted, tortured, abandoned, oppressed, simple souls unknown in the world. Amen
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