On the Love of Solitude and Silence: (III)

Those who stand highest in the esteem of men are most exposed to
grievous peril, since they often have too great a confidence in
themselves. It is therefore, more profitable to many that they should
not altogether escape temptations, but be often assailed lest they
become too secure and exalted in their pride, or turn too readily to
worldly consolations. How good a conscience would he keep if a man
never sought after passing pleasures nor became preoccupied with
worldly affairs! If only a man could cast aside all useless anxiety
and think only on divine and salutary things, how great would be his
peace and tranquility!
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 20

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April 13th - Pope Saint Martin I

(died 655)
Pope Saint Martin I was the last pope to be considered a martyr for
the faith. Little is recorded about Saint Martin’s early life, other
than he was born in Umbria, Italy, and served as a high diplomatic representative to Constantinople. Saint Martin was, in fact, the last
pope who was elected from a position as a diplomat, securing the
separation of the Church from ties to governments and leaders.

Saint Martin assumed the papacy in 649. He had a reputation for both intelligence and virtue, although was frail and somewhat ill of
constitution. At the time Saint Martin was elected, Constantinople,
under the leadership of Emperor Constans II, was the most powerful and influential government--influencing both politics and the doctrine of
the Church. Prior to Martin’s assumption of the papacy, Constans II
had issued an edict in support of the theory of Monothelism--the
belief that Christ had no human will, only divine will. The Church
considered this a heretical belief, but had been silenced by the power
of Constantinople, and forbidden to even discuss the will of Jesus
Christ.

Upon election, the first thing that Martin I did was convene a council
at Lateran, during which he condemned the emperor and made clear the
heretical nature of the Monothelistic doctrine of faith. Saint Martin
asserted the Church’s belief that just as Christ had two natures--that
he was simultaneously human and divine-- that he also had two wills--
both human and divine. In the written statement, Saint Martin wrote,
"The Lord commanded us to shun evil and do good, but not to reject the
good with the evil."

Of course, Constans II was infuriated by this affront to his
authority. He sent soldiers to Rome to “escort” Saint Martin to Constantinople. Saint Martin, already quite ill at that time, was
arrested without resistance, and placed on a ship. By the time the
ship landed, he was much sicker--too weak to stand unsupported--but
rather than being allowed an audience with the Emperor, or even given
a trial, he was summarily thrown into prison, where he remained for
three months. During this time, Saint Martin contracted dysentery from
both the poor sanitation and rancid food he was provided. From his
cell, he wrote many letters, including the one excerpted below:

“At all times in our letters we have desired to encourage you in your
charity and to alleviate any anxiety you may have for us, as we have
for all the saints and all our brothers who share this concern for us
in the Lord. But now I am writing to you of things which do oppress
us, and I speak the truth in the name of Christ our God.

I have not been allowed to wash, even in cold water, for 47 days. I am
wasted away and frozen through, and have had no respite from
dysentery. The food that is given me makes me feel sick. I hope that
God, who knows all things, will bring my persecutors to repentance
after He will take me out of this world. As to this wretched body, God
will have care of it. He is at hand. Why should I trouble myself? I
hope in His mercy that He will not prolong my course. I have been
amazed and continue to be amazed at the lack of perception and the
callousness of those who were once connected with me, both my friends
and my relatives. They have all completely forgotten about my unhappy
state, and do not care to know where I am, whether I am alive or dead.

But God wishes all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the
truth through the prayers of Peter. Hence I pray that God will
strengthen their hearts in the orthodox faith, help them to stand firm
against every heretic and enemy of the Church, and guard them
unshaken.”

True to his writings, there was little support from his former friends
or from the Church as a whole, subsequent to his imprisonment. The
emperor, following a brief trial during which the saint requested that
the “witnesses” against him be excused so as not to be forced into
bearing false witness, was sentenced to death. Following 3 more months
of imprisonment, he was led to the town square to be hanged, but the
residents of Constantinople came to his defense, and the Emperor
commuted the sentence. Rather than death, Saint Martin was exiled to
Crimea, where he lived the remainder of his days in poverty and
ostracism.

While the six years of his life during which he served as pope were
difficult, multiple miracles have been reported at his tomb in death.
Pope Martin I is regarded as a courageous and gallant saint, who
altered the course of history by confronting heresy and worldly power,
despite his failing health. Saint Martin never distanced himself from
the true faith, proclaiming the beliefs of the Church at a time when
it was dangerous to do so, and living the virtuous life of a soldier of
the Lord. At a time in our history where the Church is the recipient
of much public negative sentiment, can we say the same about
ourselves?
by Jacob


Saint Quote:
You are My Mother, the Mother of Mercy, and the consolation of the
souls in Purgatory.
--Saint Bridget to our Lady

Bible Quote:
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer
is taken away, contentions shall cease. As coals are to burning coals,
and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife. [Pro 26:20-21]
DRB


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Merciful God, our Father,
neither hardship, pain, nor the threat of death
could weaken the faith of Saint Martin.
Through our faith, give us courage
to endure whatever sufferings the world may inflict upon us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

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