Monday, November 11, 2024

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6)

If the sudden use of “bishop” in today’s first reading after the author writes of “presbyters” strikes you as odd, your intuition is right.  The two terms, whose meanings are manifestly distinguishable to us, are interchangeable in this letter.  The author, presumably St. Paul although contemporary scholars differ on this, names the qualities of a Church leader.  These are innocence, humility, equanimity, sobriety, calmness, etcetera. St. Martin, bishop of Tours, seems to fit the bill like a DNA matchup.

Martin was born in what is now Hungary.  He entered the army but withdrew as he saw it conflicting with the Christian faith he was assuming.  He was eventually baptized and became a monk, living alone at first but eventually joined by others.  When he was named the bishop of Tours by acclamation, he continued living as a monk and founding monasteries.   Martin was beloved by his people, who dreaded the thought of his dying.  Touched by their solicitation, Martin prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work; let your will be done.”

As much as ever, the Church needs leaders like St. Martin of Tours.  Faith is being challenged by the learned.  Moral temptations from hedonists abound.  Individualism impels people away from reconciliatory communities.  Strong leadership would encourage us to live more for God and one another than for ourselves.

Friday, November 11, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(II John 4-9; Luke 17:26-37)

Jesus’ disciples, like the Pharisees, want to know when and where the kingdom of God will appear.  Perhaps they want to look their best when it arrives.  Jesus, however, does not give either party a definite answer.  He does say, however, “…the kingdom of God is among you.” He means that his personal presence as the long-awaited Christ presages the kingdom.

The saints, shadows of the Christ, likewise herald the kingdom of God.  Today’s patron, St. Martin of Tours, provides a sterling example.  Trained as a soldier, Martin refused to fight and was discharged.  Later, he became a monk and then, against his will, named bishop of Tours in today’s France.  He converted many pagans, opposed Christian heresies, and devoted himself to reconciliation. 

The kingdom of God remains among us.  We are called to be images of Christ showing the love of the kingdom to the world.  We should make no mistake about what this requires.  Like a super-athlete we must train, train, train.  That is, we must pray, study, and offer penance.  As a result, we will leave the world a better place to find for ourselves a place in glory.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, bishop

(Wisdom 1:1-7; Luke 17:1-6)

St. Martin of Tours captured the hearts of the people much like St. Francis many centuries later.  As a youth, Martin soldiered but resigned his commission rather than serve the heretical emperor.  He said at the time, “I am the soldier of Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight."  Martin became a monk and then a missionary. One day he was called to visit a sick person in the city of Tours. He was taken to a church where people were waiting to make him bishop.  As bishop, Martin upheld Church doctrine but also defended rights of heretics.  His tolerance alienated him from the Roman emperor.  Martin is most remembered as the man who shared his cloak with a beggar.

The first reading today is taken from the Book of Wisdom.  The work in part instructs rulers to be just and prudent in their judgments.  Martin of Tours could serve as a model of its teachings.  “…think of the Lord in goodness,” it reads, “and seek him in integrity of heart.” Martin lived for the Lord.  He was true to God’s way of compassion.  He did not seek punishment as an end but reconciliation.

All of us have at least some authority.  We may be parents or supervisors.  If nothing else, we make decisions about how to spend leisure time.  We should strive to imitate St. Martin – faithful, diligent, and caring. 

Friday, November 11, 2016

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(II John 4-9; Luke 17:26-37)

It used to be said that when someone wanted to have everything, she wanted “to eat her cake and have it too.”  One can either eat the cake now or later, but cannot do both.  The rule applies to the spiritual life as well.  One can follow Christ by letting go of undue concern for self or can seek her own comfort.  The readings today admonish us to choose Christ.

The first reading is taken from the short Second Letter of John.  The writer, a presbyter or “elder brother” (certainly a spiritual guide if nothing else) tells his patron not to follow a new teaching.  It is likely that the teaching concerns whether Jesus’ having flesh has importance to human salvation.  If not, one might do whatever he wishes with his body.  Such an idea contradicts Christian understanding of Jesus Christ as well as Christian morality.  In the gospel Jesus urges his disciples not to be overly concerned with bodily needs.  He says that the Son of Man is coming to give them the fullness of life.

St. Martin of Tours, whom we celebrate today, had a proper appreciation of the body.  The story of his sharing his cloak with a beggar indicates a readiness to deny luxuriant comfort so that the poor person might have some protection.  Thus, he acknowledged needs of the body but realized that the spiritual need to care for the other has at least equal priority.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

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…”

Monday, November 11, 2013

Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, bishop

(Wisdom 1:1-7; Luke 17:1-6)

It seems ironic that the memorial of St. Martin of Tours, the icon of pacifist saints, is celebrated on the day given to remember war veterans.  Yet the juxtaposition of events for November 11 was not done cynically, but by coincidence.  Martin’s traditional feast day happened to be the day World War I ended.  Perhaps, though, the two remembrances are not as incongruous as they appear.

Martin was once a soldier as was his pagan father.  When he became a Christian, he thought his profession incompatible with the faith and resigned from the army.  Whether it was because of the possibility of entering mortal combat or because of other behaviors characteristic of military life, history appears silent.  It should be said, however, that often the most valiant soldiers eschew killing.  They will fight only out of love for justice as the reading from the Book of Wisdom today recommends.

Martin too loved justice.  He did not want to see the heretic Priscillian executed for his false teaching as the emperor demanded.  Rather, he thought that the state should stay out of the Church’s business.  He was at once a man of great capacity and humble aspirations.  He is rightly celebrated as one of the holiest men of the Patristic Age.