There's Always One in the Family

The Wartburg, Eisenach, Germany

There always seems to be that one person who doesn't go alone with the others in the family. St. Elizabeth of Hungary was just such a person. Because of her generosity, she was kicked out of the family.

Elizabeth was four years old when she arrived at the Wartburg around 1211. Here's the problem: Elizabeth liked to give away the family wealth to help the poor and the sick which angered other family members.

We may not agree with all of theology in this mosaic, but we have to admire what she is doing.

In this mosaic, Elizabeth is laying down her crown before Christ on his cross.

"The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'" Revelation 4:10-11 English Standard Version

Elizabeth paid a price for casting down her crown. After her husband Ludwig's death she was forced to leave the Wartburg and its wealth. The pain for Elizabeth was not the result of her personal loss, but the difficulty with which she could care for others, no longer possessing the abundant resources.

Even now, as we cast down our crowns before the crucified Christ, there is a price that we pay. Not doing things the world's way can mean that we're "kicked out of the family."

There's always one in the family. What a privilege it is to be that one.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2013 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.