We are not the first people to have to deal with a deadly pandemic. The Black Death killed millions in 14th-century Europe. And in the 16th century, Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina, whom he called Katy, faced a deadly viral pandemic that ravaged much of Europe.
When the deadly bubonic plague came to their hometown of Wittenberg in August of 1527, Luther and Katy responded with faith and some of the same procedures being implemented today to combat the coronavirus. These included social distancing, prayer and medical treatment.
We know that Katy, a former nun, was very involved in laying out the response to the pandemic, for she managed the Lutheran estate while her husband was occupied with teaching, preaching and writing. A contemporary described her as “healthy, strong, frank, intelligent and high-minded.” Luther often referred to her as “Herr (Master) Katy.” (see “Finding a Wife in a Barrel” at godswordtowomen.blogspot.com/2017/10/finding-wife-in-barrel-martin-luthers.html)
The plague was spread by fleas, carried by rodents. The infected fleas passed it to humans who passed it through the air and by contact. It was a nasty disease with symptoms of fever, speech disorders, large boils that infected the bloodstream and loss of consciousness. A healthy individual could die within 10 days or less after contracting the disease.
Many panicked and fled Wittenberg to escape the plague. Luther and Katy chose to remain and minister to the sick. They did not condemn those who left but insisted that no one should leave his/her sick neighbor unless there was someone to care for them in their stead. Martin said, “In such cases we must respect the word of Christ, ‘I was sick and you did not visit me …'” (Matt. 25:41–46).
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SOURCE: Charisma News
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