which feast is held on the day of the Assumption of Mary according to the Brandenburg and Nuremberg orders.
Luc. 1. 39-56.
And Mary arose in those days, and went up into the mountains to the end of the city of Jude, and came into the house of Zacharias, and greeted Elizabeth. And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence cometh it unto me, that the mother of my Lord cometh unto me? Behold, when I heard the voice of thy greeting, the child leaped with joy in my womb. Blessed art thou that hast believed, for that which was spoken unto thee of the Lord shall be fulfilled. And Mary said, My soul exalteth the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaid. Behold, from henceforth all the children shall call me blessed. For he has done great things for me, who is mighty, and whose name is holy. And his mercy endureth for ever unto them that fear him. He wieldeth violence with his arm, and scattereth them that have hope in their heart. He pushes the mighty from their seats and lifts up the lowly. He fills the hungry with goods and leaves the rich empty. He remembereth mercy, and restoreth his servant Israel, as he spake unto our fathers, unto Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her three months; and after that she returned again.
The first sermon.
The feast of the Assumption of Mary is thoroughly pontifical, that is, full of idolatry, and instituted without Scripture. For this reason, we have dropped it in our churches and have kept the day for it, so that one should preach the story of how Mary went over the mountains to her mother Elizabeth and what happened there. For first of all, this feast of the Assumption of Mary has no scriptural testimony; and they themselves, the papists, have a saying Hieronymi, which is supposed to say: An in corpore, an extra corpus assumpta sit, nescio: I do not know whether she was taken up in the body or out of the body, or whether she went to heaven. And who would know this, because there is no scripture about it? But this is the first and most annual thing, that they have made such an ascension a feast, that one should honor and call upon the virgins Mariam, as they sing in the responsum: Te assumptam nobis promptam fore petimus etc...: O rich Mother of God, we
pray that you, who have been taken up, may be gracious to us and make us citizens of heaven.
(2) But we Christians know of no ascension which we can enjoy unto eternal life, but of the one of our dear Lord Christ Jesus; who is ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, and hath received gifts for men, as the scripture hath testified. received gifts for men, and represents us. Therefore we can and should take comfort in his ascension, and know that we will enjoy the same, that we will also go to heaven, but here on earth we will be heard by him in everything we ask in his name. Therefore it is a glorious, high and comforting feast, the Ascension of Christ, which the Virgin Mary enjoyed just as much as we do. But we, even though she has already ascended to heaven in the flesh, cannot be called to her ascension; for this reason we should not call upon her, nor ask for her intercession.
and abandon us, as the pope has taught, and thus has profaned and dishonored our dear Lord's Ascension, by wanting to make the mother equal to the Son in all things.
3 It is not only annoying in many cases, but also very ridiculous that the papists make such a big fuss with the consecration of spices from such a day, for no other reason than, as their own books testify, that they interpret the saying Ecclesiast. Chapter 22 (Sir. 24, 18.) to the Virgin Mary, and they resemble some trees and roses. If children did this and treated the Scriptures in this way, it would be crude enough. But the pope, bishops, all monks and priests do it, and scold us heretics for dropping such a habit and not wanting to fool with them. But what superstitions have followed from such spicing, and how it has given rise to sorcery and all kinds of superstitions, everyone knows well. Therefore we have very good reason to do away with such idolatrous and sorcerous feasts, by which the Ascension of Christ has been greatly deprived, as if we were not to take comfort in them alone, and the people have been led and caused to idolatry, superstition and sorcery. For this reason, we want to have buried it, and now preach about the Feast of the Visitation and the beautiful Magnificat.
4. *) Such a feast is also called the Feast of Our Lady, and the pope instituted it to drive away the Turks. As you can see in the lection sung at matins, it says: "Just as the Virgin Mary walked over the mountains and trampled the hills, so you should call upon her to trample the Turks under her feet. But the longer we celebrated this feast and called upon the Virgin Mary, the more the Turk trampled us. Therefore, we cannot and will not celebrate this feast for such a loose reason.
(5) We want to celebrate it, first of all, to give thanks to God for the glorious revelation that has taken place on this day: that the pious and old matron, the beloved
*) Held in the house, 1533; after a b c: 1532.
Elizabeth, full of the Holy Spirit, who before knew nothing of Christ and his conception, now comes out and confesses that the virgin Mary is the true mother of her Lord and God; therefore she is glad that she has received such a great glorious guest, who is called the Son of God. And the little child in her womb, dear John, also announces such a guest, becomes joyful and leaps in his mother's womb. So both, the mother with her sermon and the child with his jumping, testify that Christ is present, through whom all the world, but first of all the Jewish people, shall be saved from sin, death and the devil. This should move us at the same time to joy and earnest thanksgiving to God. For if God had kept this treasure secret and had not wanted us to know about it and enjoy it, such a wonderful revelation would have remained behind.
(6) This revelation is followed by a special piece, namely the beautiful hymn, the Magnificat, which is also worthy of a holiday in its honor, so that it may be preached and well understood. For it is a fine song, as we shall hear.
(7) For the third, a mighty beautiful example is presented to us by the Virgin Mary, which we should diligently learn and observe. Therefore, our celebration is far different from the Pope's celebration, and goes primarily to praising God and thanking Him, as the dear virgin praised and thanked Him.
It seems as if Lucas had a special pleasure in this history, that he describes it so diligently, and presents the dear virgin so beautifully to all of us, but especially to the womenfolk, in a wreath, which is decorated with three especially beautiful and lovely roses. For there he praises three special virtues, of which we should also take care. The first is faith; the second, a very great and high humility; the third, a fine and chaste manner before men. Where such adornment is on a woman or virgin, she far surpasses all queens and empresses in all her gold, precious stone, pearl, velvet and silk.
(9) Of faith Elizabeth saith, Blessed art thou that hast believed: for that which was spoken unto thee of the Lord shall be fulfilled. For Mary is justly praised, not only on account of the common faith which all Christians have who are saved; that she believed that God would deliver her from the curse and from sin through the promised Seed, and take her to grace and make her blessed: but also on account of the special faith. For she had a special promise that applied to her person alone, since she was to give birth to Christ, the Son of God. She believed this promise and did not allow herself to be deceived, even though she could not know how it would happen. She alone had such faith, so we cannot be like her.
(10) Since faith must always have God's word for itself, we should follow their example, that we also diligently adhere to God's word. And especially the womenfolk should rather be found in church, at prayer and at the sermon, than at the dance, at the market or elsewhere. For this is true: where one has desire and love for God's word, likes to hear it, likes to deal with it, more virtues will be found from day to day. Again, where one does not like to hear it, there will not be a lack of many bad virtues. This is the first virtue.
11. The other virtue is: The young maiden, though she is highly honored (for she is ever God's mother, that Elizabeth should follow her), yet because God has so ordained that one should honor old people, she follows the same teaching, does not become proud, but like a pious child she falls down, bows her heart, and humbles herself that she thus goes a long way to love her friend; and desires not only of God's great grace and miracle work to converse with her, but also to serve her. Elizabeth notices this, and thinking it is too much, says: "Where does this come from, that the mother of the Lord comes to me?
(12) This is also a very glorious ornament and great adornment on the dear virgin, that she does not become proud of the honor she has received.
that she is God's mother and should give birth to God's son. It would not be a miracle (as the people of women are inclined to hope without that) that she would have fallen into a hope deeper than Lucifer with his angels. For behold, what do we poor mudbags do? If we have a penny or a florin, no one can get along with us for court. A maid who has a beautiful ribbon; a young man who has a beautiful skirt; all together they become proud and insolent, if they have something special, be it beauty, art, money, nobility, we know neither end nor measure of arrogance: and yet all this is like dung in the street, compared to the great grace that this virgin has here, so that she honors and adorns God for and for above all women; and yet she humbles herself and desires to serve the old Elizabeth.
013 For it is not for silver and gold. If all the gold that all the world has were in one lump, it would be as fragments against this great honor, which no man on earth has ever had: that the angels in heaven themselves, and after them Elizabeth, the greatest woman, who after Christ gave birth to the greatest Son, call her the mother of God and the most blessed of all women. And yet, although she is the highest, noblest, holiest mother, she does not look upon such great gifts; but lowers herself and says to the angel, "Behold, I am the Lord's handmaid," and to Elizabeth, whom she thus drags a long way, she says, "God has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid."
Let us also learn this art and thus humble ourselves, who are moved to hope by a thousand times lesser causes. It is almost impossible that such a heart should not rise and become hopeful, as we do when we have a thaler or a beautiful skirt.
(15) Ah, how the great humility of this high person will disgrace our courtly journey on the last day, when we will see her, the dear virgin, and she will address us proudly and say: I have not been proud or proud, and I have had more than you can have as empress and queen. But what is the cause
of your court journey? Why have you been so resplendent? A golden chain, a beautiful ring, a beautiful body made you so proud? But what is this compared to the fact that I have been the Mother of God, and the angels and all the saints have praised me, that I am the most blessed and most gracious of women? and yet I have not exalted myself to this. So, you foolish saints, you heretics, you riffraff, who let yourselves think so learned that your belly wants to burst with art, what can you do that you are so puffed up, so sure and presumptuous? Do you think you can make a verse in the Magnificat with all your art? I have ever been able to speak of our Lord God, and yet I have not been worthy of hope, but have forgotten all my honor, and have gone on foot over the mountains to my mother's house, and have served her in the crib, cooked, washed diapers, and done all the other housework from the heart and with joy, like another maid, and have not taken on anything.
16. disgrace yourself, you shameful hope, and only those who can be ashamed of this great humility, which is here, that this maiden, who is God's mother and the greatest woman in heaven and earth, can forget so much about all goods and have such a low, little heart that she goes and is not ashamed to wash the diapers, to wipe the little child John and to bathe etc. Such humility is too high. For it would have been fair to have ordered a golden chariot for her, and to have led her with four thousand horses, and to have trumpeted and shouted before the chariot: Here rides the woman above all women, the princess among the whole human race. But all this is silenced. The poor maiden goes on foot such a long way, up to twenty miles; and yet she is ready to be God's mother. It is no wonder that all the mountains would have leapt and danced for joy. It is possible that she did not go alone, but that Joseph and a little child went with her; but Lucas speaks only of her alone. For it is she who is most important, and she alone who demonstrates such humility.
This is the other virtue, great humility. All men and women should take this image into their hearts and be afraid of their proud and stubborn heads. For we see and experience how naughty, proud and insolent the world is now, and especially the servants and the household are everywhere. If a man or woman in the house wants something, they may do it themselves, or it may happen that it would be better. Thus one finds proud and disobedient servants, even if they are only poor, miserable beggars; let alone what the great junk lords and wives do, since honor, power, property, art and other things are involved. Such things will not be able to endure long; thunder and lightning will have to strike in the end, so that arrogance may be increased. But if we were Christians, we would think: Dear, has this Mother of God been able to humble herself in such a way; what do I, a wretched human being, want to be so arrogant, unworthy of service and proud of? If I have yellow hair, a red skirt, a golden chain, if I am beautiful, learned, noble, rich, powerful: what is it then? On such hopes, they say, the devil wipes his ass. For in truth it is all a poor, miserable, stinking beggar's hope. Therefore I will not be proud, but learn to follow this example, since I hear how the dear maiden, who is God's mother, and could have stayed at home for half an hour, sets out on foot and goes to serve in foreign lands, bathes the dear little girl, the little Baptist, lifts and lays her, washes her diapers; in sum, she does what the least little child in the house is used to doing.
18 So this example serves us, so that everyone, especially young servants, may learn to serve and humble themselves, regardless of whether you are already more worthy and greater than the one you can serve. But unfortunately we experience only a vain contradiction, that even those do not want to serve and humble themselves, who are the most unworthy, as there are servants and maids in the house, who have promised to do so, and receive their wages, food and drink, so that they should do it in all humility and obedience,
what they are called. This is to follow the example of the Virgin Mary, who did not shy away from becoming the uninvited handmaid of the dear Elisabeth; it is an example to us that we should also humble ourselves and say: If the highly graced Mother of Christ was not ashamed to become the lowest handmaid, why would I not do the same? And even if I did ten times more, it would still be nothing; for this person is too high. Therefore it is far more, if she humbles herself with a straw, than if I humbled myself for a thousand miles. That is why this example stands here as a mockery and a disgrace to us, against our arrogance, pride and disobedience.
The third virtue is that Lucas says: "She has gone to the end, that is, finely chastely, and not so out of arrogance and recklessness, as the young servants go to the milk, to the dance and to the fair, washes from one house to the other, and opens everywhere rattling benches *) and throws the eyes there and there. These are not called chaste virgins, but slut paners. **But virgins and women shall remain in their houses, or where they have to go in the street, they shall leave the place in good order, and not count all the tiles on the roof, nor all the sparrows under the roof, nor have stands everywhere on the way. So the Virgin Mary did not keep to herself, she goes about finely, does not count the trees, stands now there, now there; but thinks what she has to do, and waits for her own, lets other people also do theirs.
(20) For this reason Lucas was diligent to say that maidservants and women should not say: Why should I always stay at home like a nun in a convent, and not go for a walk, since the Virgin Mary did it? If it was not a sin for her, it is not a sin for me. Yes, do it with manners, as she did, and with fine, virginal gestures. For she did not go out of presumption, but meant to serve her mother, when the angel
*) Rattling - chatter. D. Red.
She had told her about how she used to walk with a son in her old days, so she does more outside her home than she did at home. Do the same, and do it morally, with the chaste behavior that befits a virgin and a woman, and it will not be a sin for you.
(21) But as the people of women do not follow the dear virgin in humility, but are proud and hopeful, so they do not follow discipline either, as is unfortunately evident. There are few of them, women and virgins, who would let themselves think that one could be cheerful and chaste at the same time. With words they are impudent and coarse, with gestures wild, lewd; that is called being in good spirits. But discipline and cheerfulness should and could go hand in hand, if one were to look at the example here. In particular, however, it is very bad that the young people are so exceedingly impudent in words and gestures, and sometimes swear like lansquenets. Not to mention the shameful words and rude, annoying phrases that one always hears and learns from the other. This is because the mothers in the house give them such examples and do not pay more attention to discipline in youth. But this is a special and certain sign of a great future punishment, where discipline tends to fall among the women. For the children take after their mothers, and the maids learn it from the women, until finally neither discipline nor honor remains in all classes; as we unfortunately also see in our times and therefore must await the deserved punishment.
(22) This is the example that the fine virgin Mary presents to us, that she grasps God's word with firm faith, is finely chaste and shameful, and disgraces us with our stinking, nasty courting, because she humbles herself so highly and puts herself in such lowly service, the blessed Mother of God. With such humility she disgraces all virgins and women, because she, the most high, throws herself so low. But such an example should also serve us to strike within ourselves and say: "Oh, has she done this, the dear Virgin Mary, who is not guilty of this?
(for she might have been celebrated, but she is not): what did I want to boast about and be held high? Always descend and humble yourself etc. So this example should show us, whether we are beautiful, learned, sensible, rich, young and strong, that we do not elevate ourselves, but let ourselves down and serve others gladly and diligently.
(23) But here we must also warn against false humility, as the monks and nuns did in the monasteries, and we see in the young maidens, when they are called beautiful, that they talk back, and yet their hearts are not in it; item, as rich people do, when they are called lords, they cannot let themselves talk back because of great humility, and complain poorer than those who are really poor. This is not called humility, but a twofold hopefulness, a deliberate lie, which also brings dishonor to God.
(24) For what God has given and bestowed, that shall be confessed and not denied. One should say: Praise to God who has given it; I have good food, I am not so uncreated, I can study well, I am learned, I am not an adulterer, I am a princess, a countess. For what God has given, be it money or goods, they are all God's gifts; one should not deny them, but confess them and thank God for them, and see how one needs them. For the sun does not say that it is black, but confesses it and proves that it is the light of the world, for it shines without ceasing. So a tree also does not deny its kind, but what God has given it, it allows to be seen freely in public. Therefore, if you want to lie and say that you do not have what you have, this is not called humbling yourself. But if God has given you something, say: I have this and this, that is true; but I do not have it from myself, God has given it to me, so I should not and will not exalt myself, nor despise others who do not have it. Just as the beautiful sun does; it is more beautiful than all the other creatures in the sky; but for this reason it does not despise the other creatures, but says, "Whether you are the moon or the moon, I will not despise you.
Star etc. Though you do not shine as beautifully as I do, yet you are also a beautiful creature of God; therefore I will not despise you, but help you to stay with your light and also to shine for the people. So shall we also do.
The Virgin Mary does the same. She does not say no to the fact that she is blessed above other women and is the mother of God. It is all true, she says, the greatest grace has befallen me. But from where and to what do I have it? I do not exalt myself with it; but "my soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For from him I have it, and not from myself nor from men; it is all the gift of our Lord God. Therefore, dear Elisabeth, it does not apply here that I want to press against you or against any other man. For this reason, even though I have such gifts, I can still be your handmaid and serve you. "He has done great things for me, who is mighty and whose name is holy. Therefore, God forbid that I should profane and blaspheme his name, and that I should glory in my own name, saying, I have these things of myself. Let his name be holy; he has done it; let him be praised for it. And though men also praise me for such grace, and say I am blessed, yet again will I carry it home to God. For his name is holy, and he is mighty; therefore he alone shall have the glory.
(26) Let this be said of the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which the evangelist did not want to show us without a reason. The Evangelist did not want to show us without a reason that, after she had honored God so highly and distinguished herself from all other women, she did not exalt herself with such high, unspeakable gifts; but, as if she knew nothing about it, she set out with all restraint, visited old Elizabeth, her mother; no doubt that she wanted to wish her happiness, talk to her about God's miracles and grace, and then serve her and little John for a while. For who will or can believe that dear Mary did not stay at such a birth and did not want to see the blessed child, of whom the angel Gabriel brought her the first message from heaven?
27 So the time also agrees finely here. For Lucas reports that Elizabeth had already left in the sixth month with the child Johanne, since Gabriel had brought the message from heaven to the Virgin Mary; and that Mary had stayed with Elizabeth for the three months; so it is good to assume that she had not left as soon as the next day or had only been on the road for one or two days.
28 It usually happens that a good friend goes to another in the same case and stays with her until she recovers from her child and shows all kinds of service and friendship; how much more is it to be assumed here, since the angel himself has such a birth,
also indicates the time to the virgin Mary, that she could well have known at what time Elizabeth would come down.
First of all, these are the two pieces of Revelation and the example of the Virgin Mary, who shines before us with such beautiful virtues. Such virtues are also worthy of being presented on a special holiday, especially to the young people, so that everyone may learn to be God-fearing, and especially the womenfolk may learn to keep themselves in all discipline, respectability and humility. May God grant His grace through His Holy Spirit that such fine teaching will not go without fruit, but that we will all improve from it and increase in faith, love and all kinds of discipline, amen.