11 April 2016
Memorial of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
Today is the feast day of St. Stanislaus, who has long been the symbol of Polish nationhood. In 1072, Stanislaus was named Bishop of Cracow. He immediately provoked the anger of King Boleslaus the Bold when he denounced the King’s cruelties and injustices and especially for his kidnapping of the beautiful wife of a nobleman. At one point, Stanislaus excommunicated the King and stopped services at the Cathedral when Boleslaus entered. In retaliation, King Boleslaus killed Stanislaus while the Bishop was saying Mass in a chapel outside the city on April 11.
We live in the world that does not want to hear the Truth spoken. Truth will always be “offensive” because it requires us to examine our souls. The alternative is not to allow it. Like St. Stanislaus, Stephen in the scripture reading tries to speak the truth, but people could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he speaks. Therefore, they accuse him speaking blasphemous words. Can you recall the last time, someone spoke something that was “offensive” to you? Do you think there was some truth in the words addressed to you? Would you allow yourself to hear the truth spoken?