Today is the feast day of St Anselm, Abbot of a Benedictine monastery in France in the 11th century, Archbishop of Canterbury in England, and proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1720. During his time as Archbishop in England, he went into exile twice due to the tension between the King and the Church in England. Anselm is remembered today as not just a wise, patient Church leader, but also as one of the Fathers of Scholasticism, the theology movement he described as “faith seeking understanding.” Anselm once said, ““For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe: that unless I believe I shall not understand.” We live in an age when faith is sometimes mocked, when many are persecuted or discriminated against because of their faith. With the example of the early disciples and the saints throughout history such as St Anselm, may we feel encouragement and edification as we live out our lives as modern disciples of Christ.
It is wonderful to recognize a great leader of the Church today as we celebrate the Octave of Easter this week. In our reading from Acts, which we will hear from frequently during in Easter season, as we hear about the formation and development of the Early Church, we hear a great testimony of faith from St Peter in our first reading. Peter was especially successful in bring Jewish converts to the faith. During the passion of the Lord during Holy Week, we heard how Peter was fearful, denying the Lord three times and not being strong and confident in his faith. Now, we hear a very confident Peter, who professes his faith and who is about to proclaim to all God’s plan of salvation.
As we ourselves journey through this holy season of Easter, may all of us feel God calling out to us today to be evangelizers and messengers of Christ’s Good News in our corner of the world.
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