On this eventful celebration of St. Martin of Tours, a French soldier who later became a priest and a bishop, we pray for all our veterans. Today’s celebration is one of those beautiful coincidences that we often find in our daily interactions with God. Like many of our veterans, Martin became a well-known name in his time due to his commitment to charity. Martin saw God in the poor and vulnerable, and he served them as if he were serving God Himself, expecting nothing in return.
Connecting St. Martin to the outcome of faithful service, God makes those who are obedient to Him imperishable. Martin is numbered among the saints in heaven because he focused on the goal of life: righteousness and a good life. If we do as he did, we shall find happiness and be counted among the saints at the end of our lives.
We are fortunate in our times, as God’s expectations of us are fewer. He doesn’t seem to expect us to work as hard as St. Martin, a soldier out in the wild protecting his country. Instead, He expects us to be honest and be the best we can be. Today, and throughout November, we continue our prayers for the dead. As we celebrate, we lift them and ourselves that God may accomplish His will in our lives.