"Mean...low down work!"

When I read Martin Luther, he strikes me sort of like reading St. Paul: he probably wasn’t the easiest guy on earth to live with! But outspoken for sure and at this time of year I open up “Martin Luther’s Christmas Book”, edited by Roland H. Brainton. It is a great read every Christmas.

This week’s Gospel lesson is Luke 2: 1-14 covering the birth of Jesus and the coming of the shepherds.
Luther writes: “That was a mean job, watching flocks by night. Common sense calls it low down work, and the men who do it are regarded as trash. But the Evangelist lauds the angels because they proclaimed their message only to shepherds watching their flock by night. These were real sheepherders. And what did they do? They did what real shepherds should do. They stayed in t their station and did the work of their calling. They were pure in heart and content with their work, not aspiring to be townsmen or nobles, nor envious of the mighty. Next to faith this is the highest art – to be content with the calling in which god has placed you. I have not learned it yet.
It is the very devil that no one wants to follow the shepherds (example). The married man wants to be without a wife, or the nobleman to be a prince. It is: “If I were this! If I were that!” You fool! The best job is the one you have. If you are married, you cannot have a higher status. If you are a servant you are in the very best position. Be diligent and know that there are no greater saints on this earth than servants. Do not say “If I were”; say, “I am.” Look at the shepherds. They were watching their flocks by night and an angel came and made them apostles, prophets, and children of God.”

Luther concludes:
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising god for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
“This is wrong. We should correct this passage to read, “They went and shaved their heads, fasted, told their rosaries and put on cowls”. Instead we read, “The shepherds returned.” Where to? To their sheep. Oh, that can’t be right! Did they not leave everything and follow Christ? Must not one forsake father and mother, wife and child to be saved? But the Scripture says plainly that they returned and did exactly the same work as before. They did not despise their service, but took it up again where they left off with all fidelity and I tell you that no bishop on earth ever had so fine a crook as those shepherds.”

As we all return to our workplaces of home, factory and the world, may we all take the Good News of this season with us to ponder in our hearts and proclaim with our lives.

Peace,

Gerald