Memorial of Saint
Martin of Tours, bishop
(Titus 2:1-8.11-14; Luke 17:7-10)
The Letter to Titus today tells its readers to reject the
ways of the world so that they may live holy lives. Today’s patron saint gives us good
example.
Martin of Tours was born in what is now Hungary. He became a soldier like his father although
it is said that he was inducted into the army against his will. He served in France where he had a vision of
Christ after helping a beggar. The
vision moved Martin to join the Church and eventually to withdraw from the army. Later Martin again showed his distaste for killing
when he tried to intervene in the state execution of a heretic.
Today, both the Feast of St. Martin and Veterans’ Day,
calls for Christian reflection on the military.
Soldiers perform a Christian service when they defend their nations from
foreign aggressors. They are not to take
advantage of their strength or their weapons to oppress people. Rather, they like Martin are to live as the
Letter to Titus dictates: temperately, justly, and devoutly…”
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