Celebrate the lives of Saints: Paulinus of Nola, John Fisher and Thomas More.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."
(Matthew 7: 13 - 14).

Tuesday 22nd June 2021, in the 12th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast day of three giants of the Christian Church:
St Paulinus of Nola (355 - 431). French Bishop. Over a thousand years separated him from the two English saints we honor today. St John Fisher (1469 - 1535). Bishop and scholar. And his friend, St Thomas More (1477 - 1535). Lawyer, Statesman and Chancellor of Exchequer of King Henry VIII. St Thomas More is revered all over the world as the patron saint of lawyers.
St John and St Thomas were martyred under Henry VIII for refusing to compromise the teachings of the Church.

Many of us are familiar with our key Scripture: Broadway and Narrow Way. Now that you know the way that leads to Heaven, blessed are you if you follow it. (Cf John 13: 17).
The choice is stark. Choose high life, pleasures and amusements, and all the deceits of the Devil called the good life, you are on the Broadway that many choose.
The opposite is the Narrow Way. This is the Way of Jesus who says: I am the Way, the Truth and Life. He who follows me is on the Way to eternal life.

Our saints of today give us excellent examples about the Broadway and the Narrow Way.
St Paulinus of Nola was from a prestigious patrician family of Rome. He was a high official in the Roman imperial system. When he discovered the Good News, he renounced everything and embraced the Narrow Way.
St John Fisher was one of the most learned men in Europe in his time. As a priest and prelate, he discovered the Narrow Way earlier in his life. This helped him to lay down his life rather than succumb to the bribery of the Broadway offered by King Henry VIII.
St Thomas More, also discovered the Narrow Way before the temptations of power, wealth and pleasure could destroy him. He too remained steadfast in embracing the Way and His Narrow Way.
All the three scholar saints are bright lights on the hill.

Do not be afraid to embrace the Narrow Way. This is the only way to life.

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com