Memorial: St Martin of Tours and Remembrance Day
(Rm 16:3-9, 16, 22-27; Ps 145; Lk 16:9-15)
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“If you want peace, work for justice.”
That bumper sticker is an appropriate one to ponder this Remembrance Day when we gather to remember, honor and express gratitude for all the veterans who gave their lives in pursuit of peace. It is a reminder also for us to do our part to ensure peace and hopefully one day see realized, the cry expressed by Pope Paul VI at the United Nations: “No more war!”
We can ask, where does war start? Is it from governments? Nations? Politics? According to Jesus, it begins in the human heart. History would say that for leaders such as Hitler and Stalin, it would be in the family of origin. Perhaps in the end leads to injustice, disorder, and violence on a global scale is the all too human tendency to project onto to others what we have not faced within ourselves.
There could be a two-fold answer: One would be to work for justice. Justice is the same as fairness and equality for all. It involves right relationships that are positive and life giving. Someday perhaps the world will realize that it is much better for nations to do business with other nations than wage war on them.
A second answer is to make the hardest journey of all, the inward journey into our own hearts. Chief Dan George would say that we have to fight our greatest enemy, ourselves. We do that through prayer, fellowship and self-awareness. Contemplative prayer especially, slows us down and allows the Spirit of God to heal us deep within. Fellowship seeks to establish genuine, trusting and reconciliatory bonds with others. And self-awareness leads us to face reality, accept reality and deal with our own reality so that we don’t inflict our wounds on others.
Jesus, the worker for peace and justice, showed us the ultimate way to peace – the powerlessness of the Cross, a refusal to use power in a selfish way, that led to Resurrection, new life and a new relationship with God and all of creation.
Fred was an idealistic revolutionary from northern Canada who went to South America in the turbulent 60’s to bring about social change, but once there, discovered there he had nothing to offer the Basic Christian Communities, except his anger. He returned home somewhat humbled, worked on himself, dealt with some of his own issues, and is now a more solid worker for peace and justice in his own diocese.
Although the readings for today do not directly connect with Remembrance Day, they do provide food for thought. St. Paul, writing to the
Romans within the Roman Empire, seeks to promote peace by proclaiming the mystery of living in Christ, who practiced total non-violence. Jesus, in the gospel, reminds us to let go of any greed and grasping for material possessions, the cause of so much conflict in our world, for we can only serve one master.
The saint we honor today, Martin of Tours, is especially appropriate for today. He was born about 316 in Panonnia, Hungary, the son of an army officer, and was conscripted into military service. His parents were pagans but Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized at 18. Subsequently, he decided he should not be a solider and became what could be called a conscientious objector. How interesting that his memorial should fall on Remembrance Day.
St Martin of Tours
When the ensuing charges against Martin due to his choice for non-violence were dropped, he pursued his vocation as a monk. In 360, Martin settled in Gaul and was soon joined by disciples; together they founded the first monastery in Gaul. In 371 Martin was proclaimed bishop of Tours by the people. He served as a bishop-monk and converted pagans to the faith until his death in 397. His biography, written by his friend Sulpicius Severus, related the many good works and wondrous deeds Martin performed. In art, he is usually depicted on horseback, handing his cloak to a poor man. Martin is patron of France, soldiers and vintners.
A central part of the Eucharist is the exchange of peace before we proceed to communion. Perhaps today we can make that gesture into a prayer for greater peace in our world.
So, on this Remembrance Day, let us not only honor our veterans who gave their lives for us, but also resolve to work for justice and make peace with ourselves so that we may more effectively become channels of peace for our world.
Hello Bishop, thanks for the message and well written homily about having peace. Yes, the war only happens from our hearts and the way we are originally. We must have justice like two nations working together with other nations to find a way to have world peace. Since right now the world is still a disaster like North Korea still battling other countries like China, Vietnam and even South Korea and Philiippines. The U. S president paying a visit to these countries to find a way to have world Peace . He also met with President Putin. The contemplative prayers , the Holy Spirits healing us within is a start to have peace . Thanks again. Blessings!
I also had a strong feeling during the Holy Spirit Rally like a bright light shining upon me and I was shaking really hard while lying on the floor. I was basically somewhere else and I felt the peace and joy inside me during the praise and worship. I was even dizzy during the praise the and worship. I was receiving a message from God. I don’t know ….. Blessings!