Saint Martin of Tours offers inspiration in uncertain times

Last updated on: November 11, 2016 at 2:49 pm by Jacob Lupfer

Saint Martin of Tours offers inspiration in uncertain times 2016-11-11T14:49:11-04:00 Jacob Lupfer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Like a lot of people dismayed over Republican Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory and what it portends, I am a little short on hope and direction just now.

Image: Statue atop the Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours

I spend a few days a week on a Catholic university campus. It came to my attention that today is the Feast of Saint Martin. The son of a soldier, Martin gave up his father’s occupation some time after his conversion. He reportedly told his military 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 living as a monk, Martin became bishop in Tours.

Father Don Miller, a Franciscian priest, offers this reflection on Saint Martin. Maybe it will offer you some inspiration in the present moment.

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 was a friend of the poor. He also opposed an ongoing religious persecution in his day, pleading that mercy be shown to heretics. I was pleased to learn a bit about him today. We are living through a confusing, disorienting, and potentially dangerous time. Saint Martin stood up for principles and never ceased doing good and showing mercy. Sounds like a good example to follow. I don’t know what else to do.

Save

Christianity

Saint Martin

Previous Post

November 9, 2016

Letter to President-Elect Donald Trump

Next Post

November 14, 2016 Trump-supporting vandals desecrate churches with homophobic, racist slurs

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #Faith2016 Christian right Christianity Debates Democratic Convention Donald Trump GOP nominating contest Inauguration Media News roundup Personal Polls Religious freedom Republican Convention Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 August 2017 July 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz