Today, 16 November, 2011, the Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year, is Buß- und Bettag, or Day of Prayer and Repentance. The day as a national German holiday was established in 1532 and eliminated in 1995 for financial reasons--in order to add another day of work without increasing pay. Bishop Hans Christian Knuth, of Schleswig, said of the day, "The deletion of the Day of Prayer and Repentance has injured our identity, our values and our religious life. We are about to worship the golden calf." Both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany and the Catholic Church resisted, claiming the government must protect the vulnerable and focus on social peace. Though no longer a non-working holiday in most of Germany, the state of Saxony refused to go along with the financial plan. It also remains a school holiday in Bavaria. For Protestants, this day is set aside for reflection. Reflection on the Christian and societal responsibilities. Reflection on how one can live the Gospel's call. Reflection on one's own shortcomings. Confession. Eucharist. Hope. Reconciliation.
Pax.
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