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Reading
Matthew 8:10, 13
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Devotion
Yesterday, November 11, was Armistice Day, Veterans Day, and the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. Above you will see El Grecco's 1579 painting of St. Martin and the Beggar. The painting resides in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. The story goes like this:
The saint, who lived during the reign of Constantine the Great, was a member of the imperial cavalry stationed near Amiens, in Gaul. Coming upon a shivering beggar near the city gates on a cold winter day, the young soldier divided his cloak with his sword and shared it with him. Christ later appeared to Martin in a dream, saying, "What thou hast done for that poor man, thou hast done for me."
El Grecco has painted Martin in rich and elegant armor. It has gold highlights. His beautiful horse, perhaps an Arabian, prances energetically. The green cloak almost glows with opulence. The saint's sword is poised to cut the stylish cloak. The beggar, in contrast to Martin, is naked. His figure is elongated and distorted. Perhaps this hints at his otherworldly existence?
Think of a time when you encountered someone for whom you showed mercy, dear reader. Or, think of a time when someone showed you mercy. How was God present to you in that exchange? How was healing conveyed? Perhaps it was as unexpected as Martin's encounter with the beggar or of the Centurion's (God could love a Roman soldier??!!! What is the world coming to??!!!) with Jesus. Keep an eye open for such encounters this week, dear reader. They may change your life.
Prayer
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. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)