Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Martin of Tours, B., (11th November, 2017) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
(Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in
Ordinary Time (I))
Rom 16:3-9.16.22-27;
Ps 144:2-5.10-11. (R. v.1);
Lk 16:9-15.
Saint Martin of Tours was born in the present day
Hungary either in 316 or 336 AD. He became a Christian at the age of 10. As a
young soldier, he encountered a naked beggar in Amiens. He cut his cloak with
his sword into two halves and gave one to the beggar. That night, he had a
vision in which Christ appeared and said to him, “Martin, a mere catechumen has
clothed me.” When he was about 20 years old, he made it clear to his superiors
that he would no longer fight, following his formed Christian conscience, but his
superiors accused him of cowardice. Although he vehemently refused the
bishopric, he was ordained the bishop of Tours in 371 and he became a holy and
hardworking Bishop. He established a system of parishes to manage his diocese
and visited each parish at least once per year. He passionately and faithfully
proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and won many to the Christian faith.
Martin died in Candes-Saint-Martin, Gaul in 397. He is the patron of the poor,
soldiers, conscientious objectors, tailors, and winemakers.[1]
Topic: Consider your loyalty.
Jesus admonished us in today’s gospel to prepare for the life
everlasting with the earthly wealth. He also said that whoever is faithful in a
very little is faithful also in much, and vice versa. Jesus said further, “No
slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the
other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
wealth.”
It is very easy for everyone to say that he/she is loyal to
God. However, our God is a jealous God, cf. Ex 34:14; Deut 5:9. 6:15. He demands hundred percent of our
loyalty.
We must check ourselves individually to ascertain if we are
truly loyal to God. Just as it is easy for one to say that he/she is loyal to
God, it may also be easy to find out whether this is real or just a made-up.
Think of what will be your decision if you are to choose between God and your
business, between Him and your friendship, or connections, or family, or even
your life, and so on. Remember the very words of our Master, “If any one comes
to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and
brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:26).
Certainly, it is not an easy decision to make. However, “the
LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all
generations” (Ps 100:5).
Bible Reading: Lk 14:25-33.
Thought for today: Only God stands for ever.
Let us pray: May the almighty God give us the
strength to be faithful to Him in every circumstance – Amen.
Saint Martin of Tours – Pray for us.
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with others if you consider it worthy.
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