A Christian’s Response to Sickness
In 1527, a plague reached the German University town of Wittenberg, where Martin Luther served as Pastor and Professor. Students were made to go home and quarantined there, while Luther led a group of Professors and Pastors in providing care for the sick and dying. Naturally, Christians far and wide turned to Luther with this question, what is the responsibility of a Christian in a time of plague and sickness? One such correspondence has been preserved, between Luther and a Pastor in Breslau, the Rev. Dr. Johann Hess.
Luther’s response preserved in this letter is worth ruminating on in light of the recent spread of Covid-19, or the “new coronavirus,” throughout the world. To begin, Luther acknowledges that there are some “of the firm opinion that one need not and should not run away from a deadly plague,” since death is God’s punishment for sin, and fleeing death betrays a lack of faith, a point which Luther himself rejects. On the other hand, Luther acknowledges those who believe that fleeing is proper, particularly if the one fleeing is a person whose presence in a plague-infected area is of no real importance.
Luther deftly navigates these two positions, first admonishing Pastors and other Church leadership to remain and care for the dying, “for when people are dying, they most need a spiritual ministry… in word and sacrament.” However, Luther leaves open the possibility that some clergy may, for instance, have young families to care for, and there are enough older clergy in a city to provide for all of the pastoral needs. In that case, a Pastor is free to leave. Next, all those who hold important offices, those who stand in relationships of responsibility to one another, and even mothers and fathers are encouraged to leave, since the chaos stemming from their deaths would delight only the devil. The logic for doctors is similar to that of the clergy: if you can find a substitute for your service, flee to care for your family. Luther continues through other examples, but for all, he ultimately concludes that most “have an equal choice to flee or remain.”
Luther offers several noteworthy pages of practical advice that is very much consistent with what doctors are requesting of us, quarantine, hygiene, and the like, but the foundation of his letter is a call to think of Christ. Luther encourages those who are making decisions on the basis of fear instead to do so on the basis of faith, not because of a naive belief that having faith will always protect the faithful from disease, but because serving your neighbor is tantamount to serving Christ. Do you want to serve Christ? “Very well, you have your sick neighbor close at hand.” Luther discourages those, on the other hand, who are reckless, “tempting God and disregarding” whatever remedies and “medicines” were available at the time. This is nothing more than testing God, and just as condemnable as fleeing the plague in fear. Finally, Luther asks that all Christians, whatever decision they make, do so responsibly in Christian freedom, in constant prayer for him and for one another, in the midst of plague.
Like hand-washing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow, Luther’s advice to pray and to live lives of confidence in Christ and his love is written for Christians in the midst of a season of sickness, but the usefulness of that advice stretches far beyond that season. We are dust, and to dust we shall return; there is yet no vaccination against this, though death is no longer final. Some people have died from the disease attracting so much attention right now, and more likely will. Many die daily from starvation, warfare, because of economic injustices, from speaking out about Christ and the Gospel, and from any number of infirmities. We pray, we see Christ in these people, and we receive spiritual nourishment in word and sacrament as we navigate our own call to suffer alongside others.
At Christ Church Anglican, we are well aware of the spread of the coronavirus and will take precautions. However, like everyone else right now, we cannot predict how this virus may spread. If you are sick, worried, or particularly at-risk, you are free to excuse yourself from the celebration of the Holy Eucharist for a time and stay home. You will be prayed for, and cared for as is appropriate, even from afar for a season. Those who are present at Christ Church are encouraged, as always, to exercise good hygiene and to partake in our life together as usual, with adjustments being made when necessary. In accordance with the CDC, we ask that you please wash your hands often, and use the hand sanitizer we will provide in the sanctuary. Feel free to ask that others not shake your hand during the passing of the peace, or withhold it yourself, if you would like. If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home. Out of an abundance of caution, I have decided to suspend the reception of communion in both kinds, meaning that, with the exception of the celebrant, we will receive only the body of Christ at communion. For now, we are prayerfully monitoring the situation at our church and around the world, remembering that in this life disease, sickness, and death are always here, though we love to forget it. Nonetheless, God’s promise to be with us remains true.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Matt