Jun 5 – Memorial for St. Boniface, bishop and martyr
Educated at the Benedictine monastary at Exeter, England where he became a monk, Boniface (c.673–754) was a missionary to Germany from 719, assisted by St. Albinus, St. Abel, and St. Agatha. They destroyed idols and pagan temples, and then built churches on the sites.
He was ordained a bishop and later became Archbishop of Mainz. He reformed the churches in his see, and built religious houses in Germany. He ordained St. Sola. He founded the dioceses of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Franconia. He evangelized in Holland, but was set upon by a troop of pagans and he and 52 of his new flock, included St. Adaler and St. Eoban were martyred.
Once in Saxony, Boniface encountered a tribe worshipping a Norse deity in the form of a huge oak tree. Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took up an axe, and without a word he hacked down the six-foot wide wooden god. Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, “How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he.” The crowd’s reaction was mixed, but some conversions were begun.
One tradition about St. Boniface says that he used the customs of the locals to help convert them. There was a game in which they threw sticks called kegels at smaller sticks called heides. Boniface brought religion to the game, having the heides represent demons, and knocking them down showing the purity of spirit.
He is the patron of many groups, including World Youth Day.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 22:30,23:6-1
Jn 17:20-26
…a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties.
In Jesus’s time, the Pharisees and Sadducees were just like the Catholics and Protestants today. Some beliefs are same, but everything else is rather different and irreconcilable! For St Paul, this grave tension between the two groups saved him when he was arrested in Jerusalem for causing huge riots.
According to the first reading, the riots broke when St Paul spoke to the crowd about his conversion to a staunch believer of Jesus Christ. It was so ferocious that the Roman commander rushed to the scene and had him arrested for his own safety. To find out more, the commander ordered the Sanhedrin council to assemble and interrogate St Paul.
The council comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees. These two factions despised each other. They disagreed over many doctrines, especially on life after death. The Sadducees did not believe in it. St Paul wisely aligned himself with the former by stating that he was born and bred a true Pharisee. He believed in the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ. When St Paul said this, the council erupted furiously. The Roman commander had to rescue St Paul again. He was eventually sent to Rome.
Today, Catholics and Protestants remain deeply divided over theological doctrines. Fortunately, we have stopped fighting wars against each other because of this, and have become friendly and respectful. Nevertheless, there is limited faith-based interaction between the two.
I felt this keenly when I recently attended the 90th birthday celebration of my mother in law’s long-time friend, who was from the Presbyterian denomination. My family were the only Catholics there. It was a grand lunch cum Christian worship session at the Shangri La hotel. The rest of the guests were Christian couples and families. They were also of the same denomination. The pastor explained that it is best to look for and marry a person who is “equally yoke” in faith with them. Unity in beliefs and doctrine were essential to a Christian family. It makes a lot of sense, and I actually agree with this.
A few years back, I helped out as a facilitator with the Catholic Marriage Preparation programme. I remember the mentor couple, who had 20 years experience, saying that couples with mixed Christian faith (ie Catholics and Protestants) are the ones that have to work the hardest in maintaining their future marriage. The different beliefs do cause tension, especially when they have children.
I should know. 33 years ago, I was on the verge on marrying my dream girl. She was beautiful, smart and she loved me. She was also a devout Presbyterian. Months before the wedding, we had difficult discussions over Mother Mary, the Pope, sacrament of confession…the lists went on. One day, she asked me to convert so that I would be “equally yoke” with her. I thought really hard about it, but could not do so. I said goodbye, shed tears and moved on. Even though so many years have passed, I have no regrets at all.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Jesus, let your grace be sufficient for me. Help me to remain faithful to the Catholic church.
Thanksgiving: Thanks be to Jesus, who brings eternal hope for all sinners.
OXYGEN 
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