June 22. Just an ordinary date in June and, at a glance, nothing particularly spectacular about it. In all honesty, I'd forgotten about it until last week. That is, until someone pointed out that June 22 was a special feast day, the feast of St. Thomas More, one of my patrons.
Studied at London and Oxford, England. Page for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Lawyer. Twice married, and a widower he was the father of one son and three daughters, and a devoted family man. Writer, most famously of the novel which coined the word Utopia. Translated with works of Lucian. Known during his own day for his scholarship and the depth of his knowledge. Friend of King Henry VIII. Lord Chancellor of England from 1529 to 1532, a position of political power second only to the king. Fought any form of heresy, especially the incursion of Protestantism into England. Opposed the king on the matter of royal divorce, and refused to swear the Oath of Supremacy which declared the king the head of the Church in England. Resigned the Chancellorship, and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Martyred for his refusal to bend his religious beliefs to the king‘s political needs. - From Saints.sqpn.com
I've never really given much thought about Thomas More. Having an entirely different field apart from a lawyer's, I thought his randomly being my patron was nice, but I didn't understand the relevancy.
Then I realized during the course of the day that he was married. Alright, I'd known that all along, but here was a man who had a family, a job and, from what I've read elsewhere, a witty sense of humor! He was a very real person; when it comes down to it, same as you or me or your next door neighbor. Now imagine your next door neighbor standing up to someone who would most likely execute you for it. Imagine your father or father-in-law doing so. While it is not uncommon to hear of priests' and religious' martyrdoms, it is not often that you hear of a common man winning that glorious crown.
Thomas More was an extraordinary ordinary man. Yes, he had some influence in court, but he was merely living out his life - the difference is that he lived it well to the very end. Let us pray that we might do likewise in our own lives, as ordinary as they might be.
"You say you see no reason why we should pray to the Saints since God can hear us and help us just as well, and will do so gladly, as any Saint in Heaven. Well, then, what need, I ask, do you have to ask any physician to help your fever, or to ask and pay any surgeon to heal your sore leg? For God can both hear you and help you as well as the best of doctors. He loves you more than they do, and He can help you sooner. Besides——-His poultices are cheaper and He will give you more for your words alone than they will for your money!"
"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."
"I die the king's faithful servant, but God's first."
- St. Thomas More
No comments:
Post a Comment