St. Martin of Tours lived in the 4th century, but he remains a very popular saint to this day. He was born of pagan parents and was forced to serve in the military at a very young age. He left the military service as an adult, having heard the call to serve Christ in a special way in service to the Church. A famous recollection about Martin recounts how he as a soldier met a beggar on the road, how all he had on him was he weapon and his cloak. He cut his cloak in half and gave the other half to this poor man. It was a strange sight to see Martin only wearing half a cloak, but he knew he did the right thing. Martin later became the Bishop of Tours. He worked hard during his lifetime not only fighting the heresies in the Church, but also in trying to bring the heretics back into the flock.
Another story of Martin’s compassion and mercy is told about the Bishop Ithacus, who was putting heretics to death. Martin objected to this practice, saying that excommunication was sufficient. Martin asked the emperor to spare the life of a man who was accused of heresy. In his anger, Bishop Ithacus accused Martin of the same heresy. Martin’s life was spared, but the other man was executed for his heretical views. Martin tried to cooperate and collaborate with the Bishop on other matters, but also remembered with remorse this man who was executed based on the Bishop’s lack of mercy.
Our psalm today is the famous 23rd psalm, declaring that the Lord is our shepherd, there is nothing we shall want. The Lord was definitely shepherd in the life of Martin of Tours. St Martin of Tours, in your mercy and compassion, pray for us.
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