As we read in today's Minute Meditations, compassion is love that enkindles.❣️
November 11, 2024
Dear John,
A Greeting From Our President
Peace and good to you! We are starting our 125k match campaign today, which will run through Easter of next year. The money for this match will go toward helping Franciscan Media (FM) pivot into its new identity of being faithfully Catholic, authentically Franciscan. More information about this will be shared in future e-newsletters and on our social media channels and website.
Every organization needs to renew itself from time to time. Change is a part of life, and growth demands that change occur. We will continue our Franciscan mission of sharing the good news, but we will be doing it with a focus on the evangelization of Catholic adults in a Franciscan key.
How does this journey differ from what we have been doing? Where is this journey going? What is needed for the journey? All of these questions will be answered as we move forward in our match-campaign-months ahead. For now, we ask for your continued prayers and your openness, and we invite you to come along with us on this new adventure of serving the Church and, through it, the world. Click here to make a donation today!
Like our Saint of the Day, Martin of Tours, we step out in courage, trusting in the Lord’s guidance. Support us in this. If you would like to speak to me directly to find out more about this campaign and how to become a major supporter, please contact me at mhalbach@franciscanmedia.org.
With profound gratitude,
Deacon Matthew Halbach, PhD President & Publisher,
A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr.
Born of pagan parents in what is now Hungary, and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, he refused a war bonus and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.” After great difficulties, he was discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers.
He was ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. Martin became a monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to his see following his exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside.
The people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. Martin was drawn to that city by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office.
Along with Saint Ambrose, Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this decision.
As death approached, Martin’s followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done.”
Reflection
Martin’s worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west, or south. A hyper-cautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is in fact, a bad decision, for “not to decide is to decide.”
Saint Martin of Tours is a Patron Saint of:
Horses Soldiers South Africa
Are you looking for a simple way to have a more meaningful Advent season with your family, youth group, or friends? Look no further!
Join author, Susan Hines-Brigger, and mom, Patty Crawford, on this daily Advent journey.
In the twentieth century Teilhard de Chardin spoke of harnessing the energies of love as a new discovery of fire: “The day will come when, after harnessing the ether, the winds, the tides, gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And, on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.” Through the super convergence of energies, Teilhard saw the birthing of Christ, the unity of all things in love, as the goal of the universe. If we truly believe that matter is holy, then we must act to make Christ alive as oneness-in-love.
Compassion is love that enkindles; it raises the dead to life and renews the power of love. To have compassion, we must believe in the power of love.
Courage and bravery are exhibited in many different ways. For women and men who served in our nation’s armed forces, they often made the greatest sacrifice—their own lives—to protect our freedoms and service in dangerous situations. Regardless of our own personal feelings around our nation’s involvement in the conflicts of the globe, it is important we honor the selflessness of these souls who freely give so much of themselves for us.
Pray
God of Peace, We ask your healing and peace to be upon those veterans who have been wounded, in body, mind, or spirit. Be with those who suffer with loneliness and emotional suffering— and with family members who care for them. Give us a creative vision to bring about a world vision that truly honors all human dignity and brings a lasting peace to all nations. Amen.
Act
How can you support the care and wellbeing of veterans in your community? Research local community groups that support the wellbeing of veterans and see where you might be able to get involved.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here!
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