Saints John Fisher & Thomas More, Memorial
Today’s Memorial is for two Martyrs who were put to death for not acquiescing to their king’s desires. John Fisher was outspoken about the king’s rejection of the Pope’s decision of not allowing the king to get an annulment. While Thomas More chose to avoid confrontation because of his longtime friendship with the king. The king, Henry the VIII, eventually locked both of them up and put them to death. While Thomas More was in prison he wrote several letters, one of which was to his daughter Margaret.
Its very telling to see how one acts under pressure. Thomas More wrote, “Although I know well, Margaret, that because of my past wickedness I deserve to be abandoned by God, I cannot but trust in his merciful goodness…” More, acknowledges that he has done wicked things in the past, even though it has nothing to do with the reason he is currently incarcerated, he accepts it fully and believes that God has not abandoned him. More continues, “In doing this [King Henry VIII] has done me such great good with spiritual profit that I trust that among all the great benefits he has heaped so abundantly upon me I count my imprisonment the very greatest.” Sometimes we are tested and in how we react shows our moral fortitude. Instead of seeing his imprisonment as a great injustice he chose to view it as the greatest blessing. Similarly I had a choice when I was imprisoned (although not unjustly). More told his daughter, “I will not mistrust [God]…though I shall feel myself weakening and on the verge of being overcome with fear.” I had no hope for the future, nor any idea of what I was facing. I could have entered the prison system and fell into all sorts of negative things, or I could chose to live my life as positively as I can, even if it went against the norms of prison life. I at least owed that much to my victim Paul, his family, and all of my other victims. I try to live my life in service to others and help and much as I can.
I face my trials and tribulations and at times lack of faith but I never abandon God because I know he will never abandon me. Thomas More writes, “I shall remember how Saint Peter at a blast of wind began to sink because of his lack of faith, and I shall do as he did: call upon Christ and pray to him for help. And then I trust he shall place his holy hand on me and in the stormy seas hold me up from drowning.” I too call upon Christ in very difficult times including an ebbing of faith. I usually have my Rosary in my pocket and grabbing it helps me as I ask Christ for help. In very tough moments I will start the Rosary asking our Holy Mother Mary to speak to her son for me.
Thomas More closes his letter to his daughter, “I know this well: that without my fault he will not let me be lost. I shall, therefore, with good hope commit myself wholly to him. And if he permits me to perish for my faults, then I shall serve as praise for his justice.”…”Nothing can come but what God wills. And I am very sure that whatever that be, however bad it may seem, it shall indeed be the best.”
My friends, take heed, More is confidant that what ever happens to him will be for the best, but in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that least to life. And those who find it are few”. (Matthew 7:13-14)
We have a tough road ahead but its the only road to life. The gate to heaven is narrow, don’t let the easy way persuade you that its ok to go in that direction. Think of it this way. Working out is hard, its not always fun and can be difficult. Its a lot of work, there’s pain and sweat, however the benefits are many. Or, you can sit on the couch and do nothing, eat junk and watch TV. This is easy, can be fun, feels good to eat junk food and enjoy watching your favorite shows. But, what are the results? You become fat and lazy, your muscles atrophy, your arteries build plaque and get clogged. This is the easy and fun way but ultimately it leads to death. Its your choice, what do you want to do?