Memorial of Saint Boniface, bishop and Martyr
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on both apostleship and discipleship. As we come to the end of the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, Paul charges his young protégé to persevere in the work of spreading the gospel. As Paul has been sent (the word “apostle” literally means “one who has been sent”) by Christ, Paul is continuing the apostolic line by sending forth Timothy. Paul knows that his time on earth is coming to an end; he is about to be martyred. He has in Timothy, a successor in his apostolic work. Paul makes no bones about the difficulty of such a task – Timothy will need persistence to handle the hardships as well as wisdom to teach, to reprimand, to convince, and to encourage.
St. Boniface, whose feast we celebrate today, was an example of a persistent and wise apostle of the kind Paul exhorts Timothy to be. He is known as the “Apostle of the Germans” and is the patron saint of that country. When Boniface was sent to the German church, he encountered very little Christianity in the evangelized country largely because of the failures of the local clergy. Pagan practices were far more dominant. He was incredibly successful in establishing many Benedictine monasteries and a proper Church structure to support a vibrant Christian faith. This was not an easy task!
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus holds up an unlikely example for his disciples: a poor widow. She is the one who, against all appearances, is blessed. She stands in sharp contrast to the pretentiousness of the scribes who are reprimanded by Jesus. No one would’ve even noticed the widow’s simple act had Jesus not called attention to it. She is blessed not because she has given money, but because she has given everything to God. She holds nothing back, not even a need for recognition. Her whole life rests in God’s hands. For this reason, she serves as an example to the disciples, one from whom they can learn. For a good student of Jesus trusts Him completely (the word “disciple” literally means “learner” or “student”). Without trust, nothing can be learned.
What is one thing that we can’t give completely to God? The poor widow gave what she gave because she trusted God more than a retirement plan, more than a investment portfolio, even more than simple food and drink. Trust for St. Paul meant giving his life to Christ in martyrdom. God may not be asking us to disregard any of these things, but do we trust Him enough to really hear what He is asking of us? Do we trust Him enough to go wherever He leads us, as a good disciple does? Or does our trust end at a certain point? Let us pray today for the gift of trust, that we may trust God enough to give our whole lives as a return gift to Him.
- Tim Gabrielli