“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”
Martin Luther, written in 1527 in response to the Black Death
It’s amazing how wise and relevant these penned words from Martin Luther are to our present situation, though maybe not quite as drastic as the Black Death was in 1527.
These words are a good reminder to encourage the Christian community, both here in Canada and overseas, about caution, good sense and dependence upon God — it calls for a God-fearing faith.
We are all asking how we can act in love at this present time for the sake of the world — that is every Christian’s calling. May you continue in your pursuit of a God-fearing faith as we all find ourselves in hard places at this point in time.
“We are all asking how we can act in love at this present time for the sake of the world — that is every Christian’s calling.”
Richard Konieczny, National Director, Interserve Canada
(Excerpt taken from Luther’s Works Volume 43 pg 132 the letter “Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague” written to Rev. Dr. John Hess).
