Remembering St Martin of Tours

Without the first two verses, which are the final two verses of chapter 2, today’s first reading from Wisdom 2:23-3:9 is regularly used at funeral services. Accordingly, the passage, as read in the funeral service, would begin, “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them.” This reading would then go on to talk about how many tend to view death as a “disaster” or an “annihilation”. But for those who have wisdom, the virtuous who have died “are in peace”. The writer goes on to talk about how the virtuous have been tested in this life on earth and they have not been found wanting. They have proved themselves worthy to be with God. In doing so they will be like the sparks that fly up from the fire ashes or the stars that glimmer in the night. They watch over us, guide us and care for us. Finally, the writer of wisdom says, “They who trust in God will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with God in love, for grace and mercy await those God has chosen.” It can be a comforting passage for us as we remember those who have died, which is what we do during this month of November. Today we also remember St Martin of Tours (336-397). During his early years of adulthood, he was a soldier in the Roman army. After baptism, he decided to leave the army and become a hermit. He eventually founded a monastery at Liguge in western France. Later he was ordained a priest and became bishop of Tours. In his book “Touch the Wounds: On Suffering, Trust and Transformation” (2023), Tomas Halik, the Czech priest-theologian, tells the story about how Satan appeared to St Martin in the guise of Christ. “The saint was not deceived, however. ‘Where are your wounds?’ he asked.” (p. 22) This was a story whereby Martin, like Thomas the apostle, came to know Christ through his wounds. When Satan could not show any wounds, Martin knew he was not Christ. Let us pray that we may come to know Christ through touching the wounds of those who suffer in our world today. Let us also pray in gratitude for those who have gone before us, those whose lives were examples of kindness, courage, virtue and faith.