Fr Alex Swain
Beloved in Christ,
When I was in Seminary, I noticed that there were a lot of Episcopal churches named after Saint Alban. I had never really taken close notice of that saint before —and it didn’t seem to be particularly common among other denominations.
I think this is because Alban is venerated within the English church—as he was the first Christian known by name and, “according to tradition, the first British martyr.” (Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 288).
Alban served in the Roman army near modern day London and sheltered a Christian priest fleeing persecution. He was ultimately converted by this priest, and when the persecutors came looking for the priest, Alban dressed himself in the garments of the priest and offered himself to be tortured and ultimately martyred (sometime in the 2 or 3 century).
The witness of Saint Alban invites us to examine what we are willing to give up for the greater good in the name of Christ. Alban gave up everything to follow Christ and protect someone in need, following the very example of Jesus.
His life reflects today’s Gospel reading, where Christ calls on us to examine our lives in light of the Gospel. While talking to a young man, Jesus says, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
The young man turns away “for he had many possessions.”
What are the aspects of our lives which we cling to?
What are the things in our lives which prevent us from fully giving ourselves over to Jesus?
This deep reflection is a critical part of the Christian life, and I think even more relevant in our culture of fast-fashion and an orientation towards the latest things.
Saint Alban offers us an example of someone who gave everything away for Jesus, even his own life. While we do not currently live in a state of active persecution where our lives may be forfeit for the Gospel, the question of remains: What inhibits us from giving our whole self to our Lord?
As we ponder this over the course of our lives, may Saint Alban pray for us, that we may be made bearers of the Gospel of Christ, as he was!
Yours in Christ,
—Fr Alex