Memorial of Saint
Boniface, bishop and martyr
(Tobit 1:3.2:1a-8; Mark 12:1-12)
St. Boniface was born in England and raised there in a Benedictine
monastery. He was a successful teacher but
desired to be a missionary among the pagans in what is now Germany. When he arrived, he achieved notoriety by
chopping down an old oak tree worshipped by the people without incurring
harm. He labored successfully throughout
the land. After a distinguished career in
which he was named “Primate of Germany,” Boniface retired to where he began his
mission. There he and a group of
followers were martyred by a band of pagans.
Missionaries leave their native place for many
reasons. But they need to have love of both
Christ and the people to whom they preach if they are to succeed. Their purpose is not to change the culture
which they find in the land of their destination but to deepen it. They will demonstrate how the best part of
any culture resonates with the teachings of Christ. Sometimes people will resent the connections
that are being made. This is what
happened to St. Boniface and cost him his life.
The gospel today relates how Christ was a missionary whose life was
taken out of resentment for what he said.
Christian missionaries serve humanity as well as the
Church. At their best, they bring the
message of God’s love for the world and His mandate that we love one
another. They also crossbreed cultures leaving
behind the best of their culture and often taking the new culture home before
they die. Today we sing their praises.
