St Martin Moments


I am a little late in posting this, but one of the things that has stayed with me since hearing yesterday's Gospel passage (Matt. 25:31-46), is the story of St Martin's Cloak. While Martin was a soldier passing outside the city of Amiens, France, garbed in his uniform, he happens upon a beggar with no coat. Martin takes his sword and cuts his military robe in half and gives half to the beggar. Martin is laughed at by the locals who witness his kind deed.
That night Christ appears to Martin in a dream wearing the piece of cloak Martin gave to the beggar earlier that day. Christ says to the angels around Him: "Martin is still only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment."
Martin lived out the passage from Matthew's Gospel- "...whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me."
Moments such as these present themselves to us throughout our lives, for some, perhaps each day. Fr. Joseph T. Lienhard,  in a reflection on this Gospel passage, calls these moments "Martin Moments". I love that! There is always someone in need of food, clothing, shelter, or maybe just a kind word or a visit.
During these days of Lent may we become more aware of these Martin Moments and act on them as St Martin did that cold winter's day.

Comments

Caroline said…
Oh--I have always loved this account of St Martin...and now Martin Moments!
So beautiful. +
Hi,

You've been nominated for an Award on my Blog.

God bless.
Unknown said…
Thanks Caroline. I loved the "Martin Moments" idea as well.

Victor, Thanks for the award~will post it at some point today.

God bless you both.
Mary N. said…
Oh! I love this idea of Martin moments! Posts like these motivate me! Each and every day we have so many opportunities laid out in front of us and this post is a good reminder that when we do good to others we are doing it to Christ.

(Love Victor's new award :)
Unknown said…
Thanks Colleen and Mary.
Colleen- I thought of the Simeon Moments too when I read this reflection. All of the saints give us such great examples of how to live the Gospel in even the little ways.

Mary- Glad you found this motivating. I agree. That passage from Matthew always makes me squirm a bit- this put a gentler light on it :)