12/29/2015 – Thomas Beckett – the fifth day in the Octave of Christmas – Luke 2:22-35

       Simeon waited patiently for many years.   Today, Luke's Gospel describes how in the quiet of the Temple he embraces the child Jesus and rejoices in a profound and personal knowledge of God’s fidelity.  So deep was Simeon's faith that it is easy for us to imagine how the act of waiting itself became a joy for him since it offered him an opportunity to love God through his anticipation and his patience and his waiting.  

        We are called to put our trust and confidence in God just as Simeon did.  It was this trust and confidence, it was a message from the Holy Spirit, that called Simeon to wait patiently until he could be in the presence of the Christ.  The saint we celebrate today was called to stand up for his faith in a very different way.  Yesterday, we commemorated the feast of the Holy Innocents, the feast of those small children who were martyred by King Herod when he felt threatened by the birth of Jesus.  Today, we celebrate another martyr in the faith: Thomas Beckett, chancellor and trusted friend to King Henry II in 12th century England, who was made Archbishop of Canterbury by the king.  Despite his loyalty and friendship the King, Thomas Beckett stood firm when King Henry tried to usurp Church authority through the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the right of trial by a Church court and would have prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome.  Thomas fled to France for safety, remaining in exile there for 7 years.  He returned to England even though he knew it would mean certain death for him.  Four of the king's knights slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral shortly after his return.  The king saw Thomas Beckett as yet another “troublesome priest.”  Yet, across the centuries of time and history, the courage of Thomas Beckett and his willingness to sacrifice for the faith remain a strong witness to us today, just like Simeon's own patience and perseverance.

        May we take courage from the patience of Simeon and the steadfastness of Thomas Beckett.   May the intercessions of the community of saints and those who stood up for our faith throughout the ages help us along our own journeys.