Deacon Leah Sandwell-Weiss
Dear friends,
Today we honor a saint, St Martin of Tours, and our veterans.
St Martin was the Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to help a half-dressed beggar stay warm. That night he dreamed that Jesus appeared to him wearing half a cloak. This confirmed his intention to become a Christian.
Later, he told his leaders that he could no longer fight for the Empire, but instead must serve Christ. Accused of cowardice, he volunteered to stand unarmed between the Roman army and the enemy. Imprisoned, he was only released when a peace agreement was signed.
He became a hermit and then Bishop of Tours. He was unpopular with other Bishops because of his ascetic lifestyle and his strong opposition to violent repression of heresy. He was buried on November 11, 397.
November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, was the day the Allies and the Germans signed an armistice to end the “war to end all wars.” In 1954, an Act of Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to broaden who was honored.
Veterans Day has a three-fold purpose: to remember those who fought and died, to celebrate all veterans, and to promote an enduring peace.
It’s a coincidence that St Martin and veterans are celebrated on the same day. But as a veteran myself, I see more of a connection than just that St Martin was a soldier.
Most veterans seek to serve others, as Martin did both as a soldier and a Christian leader. They generally are strong-minded and courageous, as was Martin. And the best of us seek justice and stand up for truth, as did Martin.
So if you have a chance today, say a quick prayer to St Martin and thank the veterans you know for their service.
Prayer for St Martin:
Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice and set him as a bishop in your church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that, at the last, we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Thanksgiving for Heroic Service, BCP 839:
O judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—Dcn Leah