C is for Contentment

What does Luther find so admirable in Mary? She was content, even in "her insignificance, lowliness, poverty and inferiority." She was content because of her genuine humility. "True humility . . . never knows it is humble . . . , for if it knew this, it would turn proud from contemplation of so fine a virtue. . . And therefore, when honor and elevation come, [humility] must take it unawares." So Mary was troubled at the angel's greeting, "since she had never expected anything like it. Had it come to [the High Priest] Caiaphas' daughter, she would . . . have accepted it immediately, thinking, 'Oh, how wonderful! This is just as it should be.'"

This is Luther's good warning for his prince and for all who have status. For Luther does not see many imitating Mary's humble contentment. "The eyes of the world . . . look only above them and are lifted up with pride. . . .Everyone strives after what is above him, after honor, power, wealth, knowledge, a life of ease, and whatever is lofty and great." Yet those who receive such good things usually do so tragically. Instead of being humbled by God's generosity, they are puffed up by it, as though they deserved such gifts. In contrast is the Virgin. "She had no thought but this: if any other maiden had got such good things from God, she would be just as glad and would not grudge them to her; indeed, she regarded herself alone as unworthy of such honor and all others as worthy of it." She would say, "no one should praise me or give me the glory for becoming the Mother of God, but God alone and His work are to be honored and praised in me."