St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church celebrates our patron saint, Martin of Tours.
Saint Martin Sharing his Cloak With a Beggar
Anthony van Dyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Story of St. Martin
St. Martin was born in a province of the Roman Empire in the 300s. That territory is now the country of Hungary. His father was a member of the Roman Horse Guard, so he grew up learning how to ride horses. His father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and serve in the military.
Christianity wasn’t very common in Rome when Martin was growing up, but Martin had listened to some of Jesus’ teachings and always wanted to learn more. He joined the Roman cavalry and served all over the Empire - and while he was still just a teenager, something amazing happened to him.
One cold, miserable winter day, Martin was riding through a town named Amiens on his horse. It was freezing, but Martin was OK. He had a big, sturdy warm cloak to keep him warm. Then, he saw somebody in the street that just made him want to cry. It was a beggar. He was hunched over in the snow, shivering terribly, and he didn’t have very many clothes of any kind!
Well, Martin knew exactly what to do. As a Christian, he had learned the teachings of Jesus. He knew that he must help out poor people. Jesus wanted us to feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, and give clothing to those who do not have enough. So what do you think he did? He took out his sword. Then he took that big, sturdy warm cloak, and he chopped it in half!
He gave one half to the beggar, who thanked him with tears in his eyes. Some of the other soldiers Martin was with made fun of him for ripping up his cloak. Martin rode on home, shivering a little, and went to bed.
That night, he had the most blessed dream. Martin saw the beggar again, wearing his cloak. But suddenly, it wasn’t just a beggar anymore. Martin saw that the beggar he had helped was Jesus Himself. Jesus held out the cloak, and called to the angels. “Martin is only beginning to learn the Gospel, but he clothed me with his robe.” Some people say that Martin found his cloak in one piece, restored to him completely, by his bedside when he rose.
Martin was baptized the same week.
He served in the military for a little while longer, but his heart just wasn’t in it anymore. That’s not what God was calling him to do. He finally said to his commanders, “I am a soldier of Christ. It is not lawful for me to fight.” The Romans put him in jail for being a coward, but God gave Martin a miracle and got him released. Martin became a monk, and eventually convinced his mother to become a Christian. All through his life, he dedicated himself to taking care of people who are sick, hungry and poor. He eventually became the Bishop of Tours.
Our church is named after St. Martin, and we work very hard to follow his example and help poor people. Right now we have a coat drive going on and everybody is invited to donate used coats so people won’t be cold this winter. We also donate canned goods to the food pantry and send sack lunches to Union Gospel Mission, feeding homeless people.
Our monthly sack lunches generally include a sandwich, a nutrigrain bar, cookies, chips, and a water bottle.
This is the time of year when we ask everybody to remember our Church as they make their donations to the work of the Lord. The money people give the church goes to pay for our craft supplies, give our pastor a salary - it even helps keep the lights on! As we celebrate St. Martin, let’s all remember to give back to God in thanksgiving for all He has given us.
Today's Lantern Craft
Our craft for today is a lantern made of a water bottle, tissue paper, and a tea light. Children around the world lift their lanterns during the Feast of St. Martin to shine the light of Jesus against the dark of winter.
How to make our lantern:
Empty a plastic water or soda pop bottle.
Cut off the spout at the mouth.
Cut or tear many small pieces of colored tissue paper.
Glue or tape them onto the bottle.
Use a hole punch on each side of the mouth.
Run a chenille stem through each side and twist the ends to make a handle.
Place an artificial tea light in your lantern.
Remember that you are the light of the world!
More information on St. Martin of Tours is available at Catholic Online.
Comments