We were given an authentic German, Bavarian treat this evening. In a beer garden, where beer has been brewed and served for more than seven hundred years we enjoyed the interesting company of our hosts, the excellent locally brewed beer and a German umpah band.
The locals drink the beer out of half a liter glasses, but my host tells me things are not the same. A few years back they were still drinking out of one liter glasses!
The beer drinking goes back to the fast in monasteries when priests were allowed to drink, but not to eat. The pope, sceptical about the drinking of beer, ordered some beer to be sent to him so that he could make a better judgment whether it was acceptable. By the time the beer reached Rome, it was so sour that the pope is said to have observed that it is completely acceptable since no one would want to drink such sour beer.
On the way back, we walked across the 700 year old bridge over the still flowing Danube towards the beautiful old city of Regensburg. The bridge is one of the best of its kind in Europe from medieval times. It was not damaged in the war. But, lately, no traffic is being allowed. Time is beginning to tell on this bridge of stone...
The evening was beautiful, a perfect end to a summer's day.
Time to walk back home, thinking of everyone in our own country. Our own traditions. Our own customs and all the wonderful things about our own history. And yet, time moves on, things change, even if it is from one liter to half a liter in 700 years. Time then to consider what remains forever, what is not affected by time. Wonderful to consider God's love on a day like today.
Time to remember all those far and near to us - who need and ask for God's presence and blessing in their lives. The inner peace which is God's gift to us is as beautiful as this quiet summer's day in Regensburg. But it is ours for every daywithout end, to remain with us, unaffected by time, throughout our spiritual journey and througout eternity.
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