Have you heard the “Wild Bill” story from the German concentration camps in WW2? This was new to me, and it blew my “theological socks” right off! I heard this story from a very credible source, Dr. Robert Sears, S.J., who has been my and my wife Miran’s spiritual director for over 20 years, and he claims it is absolutely true.
A Polish family of five were imprisoned by the Nazis in a concentration camp. The father evidently appeared healthy and so the Nazis pulled him aside for work detail while he had to stand and watch all four of his beloved family members shot to death and dumped into a mass grave!
Sit with that horrific scene for a moment and see how your spirit is dealing with it.
When the American troops liberated all Nazi concentration camps in 1945, they spent weeks working in each camp. At first the emaciated prisoners were scared of these “new soldiers” whose language they did not recognize and whose uniforms were different than their captors. If you have never seen any archival footage of the liberation work you might want to google it, the historical footage abounds on the internet and is easy to find. Here is just one link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGQGEgTkLI
Back to “Wild Bill” who got this nickname from the American soldiers since he had a mustache and looked like Wild Bill Hickok, the famous American folk hero who lived from 1837-1876 and who had a very distinctive mustache. Also, his Polish name had five vowels and was unpronounceable by the Americans. Wild Bill spoke several languages, including English, so when he was asked if he was okay with being called “Wild Bill” instead of his real name, he agreed.
Wild Bill worked tirelessly with the American soldiers to help the sick and dying receive care with dignity, often putting in 16-hour days. Unlike his fellow prisoners he was not emaciated. He stood strong and looked as healthy as the American soldiers who quickly questioned him, “Sir, how is it that you are so healthy, and your fellow prisoners are skeletons near death?” His answer grabs my heart.
He said that after his entire family was killed, he had a choice. He could forgive or he could hate and seek revenge. He said repeatedly to any soldiers who asked him how he was so healthy, I Chose Forgiveness and It Kept Me Alive! He had endured the exact same starvation diet as others, yet he did not deteriorate into a weak skeleton. I imagine this conversation with Wild Bill:
Me: Why did you choose forgiveness sir?
He: Because anger and hate would eat me up inside, and because God loves all human beings, so how can I not love everyone?
Me: How are you so healthy when you had a starvation diet for six years?
He: A miracle, is the only way I can answer that question.
Me: Did you ever want to just give up and die?
He: Never. If I did that, then the Nazis have triumphed over me.
Me: What message do you have for us in 2024 sir?
He: Love everyone and forgive quickly, lest it eat you alive!
So, there you have it! Wild Bill’s story totally confirms what Victor Frankel said in “Man’s Search for Meaning” [Beacon Press, 2006] and which I referred to on page 74 in “The Merton Prayer: An Exercise in Authenticity” [ACTA Press, 2022]. The prisoners who asked, “why has God allowed this to happen to me” often did not survive, whereas those who asked, “what does God wish for me to learn in this awful situation” more often did survive.
So, what will it be for me and for you? Forgiveness or vengeance? May this day mark my constant connection with Wild Bill’s I Chose Forgiveness and It Kept Me Alive!
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