From Chapter 22:

In 2015, I found myself in Prague for a prayer journey that John Dawson helped to lead. I asked if I could have some time to seek his counsel. He kindly and earnestly replied that he had been hoping to talk about this with me, as well. We had dinner together that evening, and I recounted the outlines of the story I have told in Chapters 1 - 12 of the book. He listened carefully, then suggested we meet again over breakfast.

The next morning, John first asked, “So, who is involved?” When I mentioned Sister Joela and the Marienschwestern, he seemed relieved—“Good, then the anointing of God will be on this initiative.” He immediately began to brainstorm strategic ideas about the gathering in 2017. My frantic note-taking ended with his final thought:

“And, of course, we can’t forget the Radical Reformation. That must be addressed.”

The Conversation in the Zoo

All during the 500 Days, the Wittenberg 2017 leadership team was working on the program for the last meeting.

How should the five days be filled?

That was the question before us.

Hans-Peter Lang suggested that we look at the “red line” of the previous meetings.

At first, we Americans did not understand what he meant. For us, a “red line” meant danger and challenge – like a line in the sand, only more so. But for him, the “red line” was the thread of themes that the Lord had woven through the meetings, that connected them all together.

And Franziskus Eisenbach held the red line.

Franziskus had given a talk at each of the gatherings – except for the 2016 meeting in Wittenberg, which he was not able to attend.

I missed his talk in Ottmaring in 2012, because it was my turn to care for our baby daughter Clara, who was about eight months old. But Amy relayed what happened to me later that night. Franziskus stood still throughout his half-hour talk, perfectly composed, ramrod straight, perfectly composed. He spoke in succinct German. The only translation was a whispered one from John Martin, around whom the Americans huddled in a back corner. “He said something I’ve never heard before,” Amy told me. “He talked about the church as both the bride of Christ … that part was amazing! … and also a harlot, just like Israel … and that part was sobering.”

I never missed another Franziskus talk.

In Volkenroda, his theme was “the quarreling sons” – ranging through biblical history from Cain and Abel through to the prodigal son and his older brother. We got it. It is we who have inherited this awful legacy and are now the quarreling children – we Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Messianic Jews. And our Father’s heart is breaking.

In Trento, a beautiful partnership was formed. The leadership team assigned him to co-teach with Amy. Their topic was the Trinity. Amy of course was nervous at working with a brilliant Bishop Emeritus; and Amy of course did a wonderful job in her part of the talk ,which was on the unity of the Trinity. Franziskus followed her with the image of Rublev’s famous icon, The Three Visitors. He took us on a visual tour of the image, revealing the meaning of even the smallest of details. He finished by showing us how Rublev had left a seat at the table for us. We got it. We were all invited into the unity of the Trinity!

In Rome, Franziskus gave two talks. The first was a dialectical comparison of Rome & Jerusalem … in a similar style to the “two brothers” talk from Volkenroda, but this was the “two cities.” The next day, he embarked on his most challenging talk – to present the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences as a “pearl” or gift offered by the Catholics to the Protestants. For Germans, especially German Lutherans, the word “indulgence” (Ablässe in German) was almost a curse word. How could this be perceived as anything positive, much less as something precious and valuable? Franziskus gently brought out the true meaning of Catholic indulgences, which are to free the sinner from the consequences of his or her sin. By the time he finished, even if the German Lutherans were not entirely ready to receive this “pearl,” they warmly received him – Franziskus – in appreciation for broaching a controversial subject in a humble spirit of integrity and genuine friendship.

So in looking at the meeting in 2017, we decided the best course of action was … to ask Franziskus! “Franziskus, what should the theme be for the 2017 gathering?”

And he immediately responded … as if he’d just been waiting for us to ask.

“God the Father is preparing a Wedding Feast.”

And again, we got it.

The marriage supper of the Lamb … this would be the theme.

In honor of Franziskus’ theme, Jim’s painting above was the image I used for the 500th, and last, Door of the Day - published on October 30, 2017, the last day of preparation before the 500th Anniversary on October 31. Each Door of the Day had an associated “moving meme” - a short video - that went with it. Below is the moving meme for Day #500: