Mtr Taylor Devine

Dear Friend,

On November 11th many celebrate Veteran’s Day, Armistice Day, and Saint Martin’s Day - and they all have some shared themes. The story of Saint Martin is from the 4th century, when he went from being enlisted by his father in the Roman Army, to being a pacifist whose life was changed by an encounter with a poor stranger, to someone who started a Monastery near Tours, France, to a reluctant Bishop, to a defender of heretics, to being brokenhearted by his work and more. In that encounter with a stranger, he felt strongly that he had somehow encountered Jesus in him. He gave him half of his military cloak as it started to snow and in some way recognized Christ in him and felt called to become a Christian, as he had been considering.

In honor of his story, many people around the world celebrate him with lantern-making and small lantern parades at this time of year. The lanterns are reminders of light in the darkness, of hope, and of Jesus’ light that we bear. You can find more ideas about how to celebrate Saint Martin’s Day at this link. Lanterns, candles, and light are not just for children, and all of us can benefit from doing something with our hands to help us pray and think and discern ways we meet Jesus and show his light in our lives.

If you make a Lantern, please send me a picture! I’d love to see.

Today’s Gospel reading as a part of his feast day is the familiar Mathew 25 - a perfect text to pray with as you make a lantern, or ponder Saint Martin and his story.

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

In Christ,

Mtr Taylor