Wednesday, November 11, 2015

A Soldier for Christ

The story of the Roman soldier cutting his cloak in two to share it with a poor beggar, and then in a dream that night learning that he had given it to Jesus, continues to fascinate us.  Now known as St. Martin of Tours, he was still a catechumen at the time, but sought baptism right away. He then refused to continue in the Roman Legion and was imprisoned for a time.  When released he sought solitude as a monk; others soon joined him and he thus became the founder of monasticism in Gaul. He later was made bishop of Tours by popular acclaim and devoted the rest of his life in the service of the Gospel and paid special attention to the poor, living very poorly himself.
As we honor our veterans this day in the United States, recalling the end of the First World War at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, let us pray in gratitude for those who have served in the military, millions of them giving up their lives; let us pray for the safety of those in the service today, and let us pray for a lasting peace that might enable our soldiers to exchange their weapons for the sword of faith as St. Martin did.
Bro. Rene

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