REFLECTION FOR THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C), Week beginning 18TH SEPTEMBER 2022
During August 29th to September 9th, 17 of us were on tour to Oberammergau and Lake Garda.
In the early 17th century, all was well in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau in Southern Germany. Then a returning man from the village inadvertently brought the Black Death plague into their midst. Many lost their lives as a result. The villagers then made a pact with God – to the effect that if there were no more plague deaths in the village, they would stage every 10 years a Passion Play. There were no more deaths, and they have remained ever faithful to their pact.
Clearly Oberammergau was, and still is, very religiously devout.
Our Oberammergau tour was booked as long ago as late February 2018. We had expected to go in late August 2020. Unsurprisingly, we were deferred for 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic – (in view of the history behind Oberammergau’s Passion Play, there surely was something of an irony in this respect!)
As was only to be expected, in view of its universal renown, the Play was a magnificent spectacle from start to finish. The population of the town is around 5,500 and all villagers have some involvement, even if behind the scenes in the vast preparations beforehand.
It would be a shame to “give the game away”, so to speak, by lengthily commenting on the Play. Rather, it needs to be experienced for oneself. It is very faithful to both the Old and New Testament and is unswervingly loyal to Jesus and to His Message, Mission & Ministry.
Our party travelled with Leger Holidays Coach Travel. They secured excellent near-to-stage seating for us. It will next be staged in 2030. DO GO IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN!
Good Shepherd Catholic Church 