A Man For All Seasons

    We live in morally perilous times.  Our society is turning farther and farther away from God and His Holy Laws.  Sadly, many in our government openly mock and defy God's laws as well and, criticize those who desire to uphold those laws. 

    More and more we are all being faced with difficult choices; to remain faithful to God and to His Church or, to cave in to the mounting political and social pressures that are ever increasing.

    There is a model we can look to for guidance, St. Thomas More.  No doubt, one of the greatest films ever produced was the film, "A Man For All Seasons."  This film tells the story of St. Thomas More that begins with events leading up to Henry VIII's break from Rome.  St. Thomas More is entirely opposed to anything that would in any way demonstrate infidelity to the Holy Father. 

    Despite this, the king appoints St. Thomas More as his chancellor for England.  Once the king breaks with the Pope, St. Thomas More resigns his position.  Like all despots, the king promises St. Thomas More that he will leave him alone.  Of course St. Thomas More's failure to support the king's break with Rome and the king's invalid marriage to Anne Boleyn was a most eloquent yet silent rebuke.  St. Thomas More had a world wide reputation as a good and just Roman Catholic. His lack of approval caused many others to question the king's actions.

    The king and the anti-Catholic minions surrounding him of course could not tolerate St. Thomas' silence.  He had to be silenced for good. St. Thomas was abandoned by his friends at court, you see, it was dangerous to be his friend.  False charges were trumped up, perjury was spoken under oath. St. Thomas More finally was condemned to death.  St. Thomas More was then beheaded and in the 20th century proclaimed a Saint, a martyr for the Holy Roman, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

    St. Thomas was under such pressure as were others who chose to remain faithful,  that only one single bishop remained faithful, St. John Fisher, who was martyred the week before St. Thomas.  

    What a model for us today.  St. Thomas More suffered even death rather than compromise his Catholic principles.

    May we, through the intercession of St. Thomas More boldly defend our faith despite increased pressures to conform to abortion on demand, same sex marriage, to acceptance of public blasphemy etc.