Schlaf leicht, leibe Freunde

Today is the 64th anniversary of the trial and execution of Christoph Probst, Hans Scholl, and Sophie Scholl for crimes against the Nazi regime. The story of their resistance group -- the White Rose -- is, in some ways, better known in the non-German world than it ever has been, thanks in part to a fantastic movie called Sophie Scholl - The Last Days. (Check out my April 22, 2006 review of the film if you would like to learn more about the movie.)

I don't know why the story of the Scholls speaks so powerfully to me, but it does. A handful of university students stole paper and created leaflets denouncing the Nazi regime. They had no realistic chance of changing people's attitudes towards Hitler and his cronies, but the members of the White Rose decided to act anyhow.

Perhaps I admire the group so much because they acted, at great risk, because nobody else was acting. I admire the fact that they understood the need for someone, anyone, to speak up against the crimes of the regime. Perhaps I also stand in awe of the love they had for justice and, it must be admitted, for God.

Much has been written about the White Rose and the character of its members, but perhaps they are best encapsulated in the final words attributed to the Scholls. Hans is reputed to have cried out "Es lebe die Freiheit" ("Long live freedom") before the guillotine's blade severed his head from his body. Sophie's last words are often said to be, "God, you are my refuge to eternity."

Probst, the Scholls, and other members of Die Weiße Rose were willing to give their lives so that the world would be a better place. How many of us are willing to join them?