Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Today the Church remembers the inspiring example of Saint Martin of Tours. Perhaps most famous for splitting his cloak to share with a poor beggar (who ended up being Christ), this saint exemplified holiness in many other ways as well. Living in the midst of the fourth century, at a young age Martin became a soldier in the Roman army; but after having become a Christian and being baptized, Martin eventually told his commander, “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ.” Then, with his determination set, Martin left and became a monk, studying under another famous saint of France, St. Hilary of Poitiers. However, due to Martin’s outstanding sanctity, the people of the city of Tours eventually convinced him to become their next bishop.
And, if any bishop fulfilled St. Paul’s recommendation described in the first reading today, it was St. Martin. Truly, Martin held fast to the true message as taught by the apostles as he exhorted the faithful Christians with sound doctrine and refuted the heresy of the Arians. But simultaneously, he was also a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled. For instance, as many people were harshly pressing for the death of another heretic, Priscillian, and sought to persecute his followers, Martin pleaded to show them mercy. Thus, St. Martin showed himself to be a bishop zealous for truth and abundant in mercy.
Our times demand for men and women like St. Martin. Therefore, asking for the intercession of this saintly bishop, let us pray to God for the grace to be eager both in promoting the truth and simultaneously in practicing mercy.