In September of 1922, a group of 45 courageous, devoted, and enthusiastic people – both men and women – were gathered together in Dornach, Switzerland. There, with the help of Rudolf Steiner, the inaugurator of modern spiritual science or Anthroposophy, the events took place which led to the founding of what we have come to know as The Christian Community. Read more
–From “Die Gründer Der Christengemeinschaft: Ein Schicksalsnetz” by Rudolf F. Gaedeke, translation by Gail Ritscher
October 5th, 1872 in Dillinger/Donau – March 23rd, 1938 in Hamburg
Rittelmeyer wrested everything he accomplished out of a weak body and a melancholy temperament. He widened his soul in suffering and active service to everything human and divine. His spirit, however, became a potent force that affected those who worked with him, radiating certainty of life and trust in God.
The healings Jesus Christ performed during His life on earth were no incidental acts meant to release individuals from their physical ailments, but signs. This word is frequently used in the Gospels to make clear that their meaning reaches beyond the healing of an individual. Through this sign the human being is restored again in his worth and in the image of God.
The sign of the healing of the deaf and dumb man is preached to deaf ears as long as we keep thinking that it is about someone other than ourselves. Consider how much is standing in the way between Christ and us humans. It seems as if everything in our noisy world tries to drown out His voice. And not only are we deaf to the divine world, we have also become unintelligible. Our words are estranged from their divine origin; they only speak the language of perishable reality. Christ has been banished from our daily work and our everyday conversations.
The only thing that helps me is that He goes with me away from the crowd, in order to be alone with me—and I with Him. There, in the silence, where the noise of the outer world does not penetrate, I can learn to listen to His voice, and I can learn to speak with the language of the heart, which He understands. Then only, when nothing is standing between us anymore but only silence, can He speak the redeeming word: “Ephphatha!” – “Be opened!”
-Rev. Bastiaan Baan, August 27, 2022