IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE
THAN TO RECEIVE
THAN TO RECEIVE
Today the Church
honors one of the most popular saints, Saint Martin of Tours. Born in Pannonia (Hungary),
Martin was the son of a pagan military officer. At age fifteen, he was inducted
into military service against his will. Legend has it that in the year 337AD,
on a bitterly cold day, Martin met a poor man who was almost naked, trembling
in the cold and begging from passerbies at the city gate. Martin had nothing
but his weapons and his clothes. He drew his sword, cut his cloak into two
pieces, gave one to the beggar and wrapped himself in the other half. Some of
the bystanders laughed at his now odd appearance, while others were ashamed at
not having relieved the man's misery themselves. That night in his sleep Martin
saw Christ dressed in the half of the garment he had given away, and heard Him
say, "Martin, still a catechumen, has covered Me with his garment."
Martin became a
Christian and refused to engage in anymore military activity, and was discharged.
He became a monk and spent several years preaching to pagans and heretics.
After some time he placed himself under the direction of St. Hilary of Poitiers, and gathered
together others interested in a monastic life. Reluctantly, in 371AD, he
acceded to the wish of the people and became Bishop of Tours. Zealous in his
pastoral office he went about making and keeping peace. He was gentle in
dealing with all and particularly when dealing with heretics. His hope was
always to win them to the truth. He endured opposition because of his goodness.
In the Communion
Antiphon for today's Mass we pray, "I tell you, anything you did for the
least of My brothers, you did for Me, says the Lord" (Mt 25:40). St.
Martin of Tours lived by these words throughout his life. We too need to live
up to this call from Jesus Christ. I would like to share this prayer of
blessing today, which was passed on to me by someone special:
For
bringing warmth and comfort into everything you do,
For
finding time to add an extra touch of kindness too,
For
patience in the midst of busy hours with little rest,
For
taking pride in all you do and giving it your best,
May
you be forever blessed.
May you pass it on
too!