THE PERFECTION OF AN ELDER

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS, BISHOP

Titus 1:1-9; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 17:1-6

The Character of an Elder

The gift of faith we receive from God is an invitation to become a sacrifice, for God himself is the Supreme Sacrifice. Thus, anyone who believes and approaches God has undertaken to travel the path leading to sacrifice. Earlier in the year, we have reflected on the meaning of sacrifice as it applies to God. We understand the concept of sacrifice as consecration to a higher or rational course. Since God is the highest rational being, he is consecrated to himself. Thus, it is easy to see why the gift of faith comes with consecration to God, which is a sacrifice. We have explained that this consecration or sacrifice, which springs from the gift of faith we receive from God, is imperfect. The perfection of our sacrifice follows the acquisition of knowledge and love, causing the Blessed Trinity to dwell in our hearts. The only perfection of the sacrifice initiated by faith is what it has as the principle of eternal life in us. St. Paul confirms this explanation in the opening of his letter to Titus while introducing himself. “From Paul, servant of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ to bring those whom God has chosen to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to true religion.” Those chosen by God are to come to faith, to the knowledge of truth, and then to true religion based on love.

The ordering gives the sequence of progressive consecration to Jesus Christ, our Sacrifice. This ordering aligns with our presentation of our growth in the mystery of Jesus Christ as a journey we must undertake. God finds us in our lost state and sets us on the right path or way leading back to him. So, we know that faith is a gift from God that kindles a spiritual life that grows as we journey into Christ, the knowledge of God. The importance of growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ is further stressed when Paul admonishes Titus to appoint only elders who are irreproachable in character to a position of authority in the community. “Since, as president, he will be God’s representative, he must be irreproachable: never an arrogant or hot-tempered man, nor a heavy drinker or violent, nor out to make money; …; and he must have a firm grasp of the unchanging message of the tradition, so that he can be counted on for both expounding the sound doctrine and refuting those who argue against it.” His ability to expound and explain the revealed truth, refuting those who argue against it, demonstrates his growth in the knowledge of the mystery. An elder’s irreproachable character tells of his love for God, which implies the consecration of his heart and will to God, otherwise known as the sacrifice of love. The sacrifice of love indicates our perfection in Christ’s mystery.

We are all expected to grow likewise unless we have not treated our initial consecration seriously. Lack of growth means we have failed to cultivate the initial consecration of faith in good works that would make it bear fruits. The opportunity to grow our consecration abounds in our daily living. The Lord gives us an example. “If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I am sorry,’ you must forgive him.” This is a familial example of how to deepen our consecration or self-sacrifice. Though the misbehaviours of people against God, the family, community, and society would be adequately punished, as assured by the Lord, they provide opportunities for us to deepen our consecration in the knowledge of the mystery of Jesus Christ and the love of God. Hence, the Lord corrected the apostles not to pray for the increase of faith but for opportunities to exercise what God gave us. What is needed is for us to invest what we have. “Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.”

St. Martin of Tours received the gift of faith, invested, and nurtured it to greatness; he was an elder who deserved the name. He was born around 316 in what is now known as Hungary. He was educated at Pavia in Italy. He was in the army, which he left after his baptism. He spent some time as a hermit on an island off the Ligurian coast. He founded a monastery in western France, where he lived under St. Hilary. He was later ordained a priest and consecrated bishop of Tours. He lived as a good Shepherd to his flock. He founded many monasteries, educated his clergy, and preached the Gospel to the poor. He died in 397. There is a story about his encounter with a beggar in the army, whom he covered with his coat. He later saw our Lord in a dream wearing the coat he gave to the beggar. This encounter started his religious conversion. The story confirms that opportunities abound for us to grow in love consecration daily.                      

Let us pray: O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin both by his life and death, make new, we pray, the wonders of your grace in our hearts, that neither death nor life may separate us from your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.