St Martin's Day

Bible Reading:   Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'  Matt 25:34-40 (NRSV)

Reflection:

This week is the "patronal festival" of our college - that is, it is our special feast day celebrating the life and ministry of St Martin!!

St Martin was born in Pannonia (today part of Hungary) in the early 4th Century. His father organised for him to join the Imperial Army in the days of the Roman Empire. This was considered an excellent career for a young man in those days. As a junior officer Martin was sent to Gaul in the north west of Europe where the Frankish people were mainly pagans. Christianity was beginning to emerge in this area and some of the cities had Christian Bishops.

Martin was interested in Christianity and did all he could to learn about this new faith and its message and began to live by its precepts. His lifestyle was noted by others because he refused to join in some of the bawdier songs and outlandish activities of garrison life. He gave alms to the poor, was kind to his servants and spent time in prayer, long before his Baptism.

As a soldier he was posted to Amiens. One bitterly cold night after inspecting the sentries on guard duty, he walked past a beggar shivering in the cold asking for alms. Martin was warmly dressed in the standard-issue purple and white cloak worn by Imperial Officers. Martin responded to the beggar by removing his cloak and drawing his sword to cut it in half. He gave half to the beggar and wore the other half so that he would still be dressed in his regulation uniform. That night, the beggar appeared to Martin in a dream, but as a figure covered in shining glory - Jesus Christ - who was wearing half of Martin's cloak. Christ reminded Martin of his words recorded in Matthew's gospel, "I was naked and you clothed me . . . just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Following this incident Martin was Baptised a Christian and when his term of duty was over trained to be a priest. He lived for many years as a hermit in prayer and meditation. This lifestyle attracted others and a small monastic community grew around him. He was chosen as Bishop of Tours even though he didn't want the job. However, as a Bishop his holiness was extremely influential and he laid the foundations for Christianity in France with many Druids becoming Christian as a result of his ministry.

Today in Europe "Martinmas" or St Martin's day is celebrated in style!! It is a day of feasting. In northern England and Scotland it was the day when beasts were slaughtered to store meat for the winter months ahead and communities would come together roasting whole oxen and partying. In Sweden and Germany roast goose is a traditional part of the feasting. It is a day when people are encouraged to do some act of charity or fundraising to help the poor. Making paper lanterns to carry in procession is also a feature of St Martin's day - a reminder that in the darkest moments of life Christ's light shines out through the actions of people such as St Martin.

Reflect this week: This week celebrate St Martin's day by doing an act of kindness or good deed towards someone else. Come and join us for a St Martin's day BBQ at the Fairfax Centre. Also think about ways you can help those who are poor, hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick or in prison everyday. How can you shine out with Christ's light in the midst of darkness, how can you follow the example of St Martin in your life?

(Reflections are by Rev'd Jenny Willsher, Head of College, to support students of St Martin's College in their spiritual journey. Students are welcome to discuss the reflections further at anytime, just call in to my office.)