Saint John Fisher and Saint Thomas More

Okay, I do not necessarily plan on making a habit of posting about a saint on every memorial, but I do want to take a minute to make mention of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, both martyrs, who share today as a memorial.

Both were martyred for opposing Henry VIII's declaration that he was the head of the Church in England. If we look at the Church, from its conception, with open hearts, we can see the dire importance of unity and orthodoxy. Those who stand in opposition to unity and those who willfully promote schism stand in opposition to the very nature of Christianity and God Himself.

If unity does not matter, and heretical Christianity is just as good as true Christianity, then these men died for nothing. If this is the case, they cannot even properly be called martyrs, because they weren't dying as a witness to Christian truth. If unity is not important, then these men were in error, and died as a matter of their own mistake.

Of course, the Church knows these men DID die in defense of true Christianity, and that they are indeed heroic martyrs. If the Church knows this, what does that mean for each of us?

In honor of them, today would be a good day for us to look at our lives and practices. Are we accepting heretical notions and trying to blend them in with our Christianity? Are we denying the rightful authority of the Church? Are we promoting heresy in any way?

Prayerfully,
Dani

P.S. -
For married couples, it is particularly noteworthy that St. John Fisher defended the permanence and sanctity of Christian marriage. For me, it is particularly noteworthy that St. John Fisher is the patron of the Diocese of Rochester, NY. I was born in there. :)