In our Gospel reading today on this fifth day in the octave of Christmas, we hear of an event from Jesus’ years of growing up with his family, of how Simeon waited patiently for many years for the coming of the Messiah. Luke's Gospel describes how in the quiet majesty of the Temple in Jerusalem, the years of Simeon’s waiting were fulfilled when he embraced the child Jesus and rejoiced in a profound and personal knowledge of God’s fidelity to his people. So profound was Simeon's faith that it is easy for us to imagine how the act of patient waiting became a joy for him, as it offered him the opportunity to love God through his anticipation and waiting.
All of us as disciples of Christ are called to put our trust and confidence in God just as Simeon did as he waited for God’s promise to be fulfilled. It was a message from the Holy Spirit that called Simeon to wait until he could be in the presence of the Christ. The saint we celebrate today was called by God in a special way to stand up for his faith in a very different way. Yesterday, we commemorated the feast of the Holy Innocents, small children who were martyred by King Herod when he felt threatened by the birth of Jesus. Today, we commemorate Thomas Becket, another martyr in the faith. Born in England in the 12th century, Becket became the chancellor of that country and a close trusted friend to King Henry II. In fact, the king named Beckett the Archbishop of Canterbury. Even when he was named chancellor, Becket told the king that he would not accept the king’s meddling in the Church's affairs. Despite his loyalty and friendship the King, 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. Beckett fled to France for safety when he realized that the king would not back down, 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 Beckett in the Canterbury cathedral shortly after his return. Despite their friendship, the king saw Thomas Beckett as yet another “troublesome priest.” Yet, across time and history, Beckett's courage and his willingness to sacrifice for the faith remain a witness to us today, just like Simeon's own perseverance and courage.
May we take inspiration 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.
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