Winning the Crown

We celebrate yet another martyr during this Christmas Octave, St. Thomas Becket, who was slain in the Cathedral of Canterbury in 1170 at the command of King Henry II. St. Thomas had written before his death: "Remember the sufferngs of Christ...the cown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown." Not all are called to a bloody martyrdom, but all are called to stand up for the faith, to live it, so that others see it and themselves believe enough to put it into practice as well. St. Paul in writing to his disciple, Titus, reminds us that "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and wordly desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ." (Titus 2: 11-13). Christ was born in order that he might appear to the world through us. Just as the old rabbi and prophet Simeon saw "the salvation... prepared in the sight of every people" so too our acts of kindness, generosity and forgiveness, our acceptance of all who come into our lives, our patient and virtuous dealing with frustration, disappointment and pain, our courage to live the truth and stand up to challenge double standards and deceitfullness, all of which might cost us dints in our popularity, should allow others to see that same light and hope. In following the Marist way, in imitation of Mary, in making the effort to do good quietly, yet forcefully, we will be winning the
crown.
Bro. Rene