He was a
soldier.
Not a
great general.
Not a famous war hero.
Just a
soldier.
Called
to service in the military.
But a
hero in the sense that he performed his dangerous duty.
Bore the
burden of his obligations.
Faithfully
did what he was required to do.
Put his
life at risk for his fellow man.
That
describes most all of the men and women who we honor today.
Veterans
Day 2014.
In a
world that's still tortured by war.
A world
that still needs military forces.
That
soldier description also applies to the saint we honor today.
St
Martin of Tours, one of the greatest saints of France.
Born in
present-day Hungary in 316 AD.
A
soldier of the Roman Empire, during the reign of Constantine.
Constantine
had brought an end to the persecution of Christians.
And
Martin converted from paganism to Christianity.
The most
famous story about Martin is one of charity.
Riding
along in his magnificent military cloak when he encountered a
nearly-naked beggar.
In the
bitter cold weather, Martin was touched with pity.
He
stopped, dismounted, cut his cloak in half, and shared it with the
beggar.
Later,
in a dream, Martin saw that beggar as Jesus himself.
Calling
him to greater service.
Another
story says that Martin felt that, as a Christian, he could no longer
fight in battle.
Accused
of cowardice, he offered to go to the front lines unarmed.
His
commander would have sent him to that certain death.
But the
enemy called for a peace settlement before the battle.
Martin
was dismissed from the army.
And like
today's veterans, he quietly returned to civilian life.
He
settled in what is now central Europe where he became a hermit and a
monk.
He
founded monasteries and was widely recognized for his preaching.
And his
great simplicity and humility.
He
continued to do more and more as he felt God's call.
He was
elected bishop of Tours against his will, but reluctantly assumed
the office.
He
traveled widely throughout the Empire.
Trying
to help wherever he was needed.
All of
us, like Martin, veteran or not, are called to ever increasing
service.
Called
to do at least the bare minimum of what is required to be a true
Christian.
And
further called to do enough to perhaps even be deemed a profitable
servant.
Today's
saint and holiday and Gospel all combine to remind me of an old song.
One we learned in elementary school:
One we learned in elementary school:
I'm a
soldier in Christ's army.
Confirmation
made it so.
I'm a
soldier in Christ's army.
I
profess my faith wherever I go.
Oh
the Devil shall not harm me.
I'm
the Captain of my soul.
I'm a
soldier in Christ's army.
Marching
to my Heavenly goal.
Tuesday, 32nd Week of Ordinary Time
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