Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

Across the Bristol Channel, at the most southerly tip of the Diocese of Llandaff, is the Island of Flat Holm. Now a Conservation Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the island has a fascinating history that is touched by the Second World War, the Napoleonic Wars, and beyond that to St Cadoc, St Baruc and other ancient celtic saints. As you would expect of such a place is it steeped in legend and it is, as you would also expect, difficult to draw historical truth from legendary tales. One of those tales is that two of the four knights who killed St Thomas Becket in his own cathedral of Canterbury are buried there. St Thomas was killed because he clashed with the King, whose rule and power conflicted with the freedom of the Church. St Thomas Becket, therefore, stood his ground and under attack from a worldy ruler refused to give in. He was killed on the Tuesday after Christmas, in the year 1170. His struggle is over. The victory won.

In the second letter of St Paul to Timothy, St Paul says, 'You are well aware, then, that anybody who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain to be attacked.' He knew, all too well, the dangers and difficulties of following Jesus but he was undeterred. The persecutions he endured only served to strengthen him. It is easier, of course, to give in, to give up, and to fall into line. But what will we gain, asks Jesus in the Gospel Reading, if we gain the whole world and ruin our life. 'If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.' We need to struggle on.

There is often a clash between Church and State. Christian leaders will speak up and speak out against the failure or flaws of those who make decisions and policies, or those who are in positions of power or leadership. And the Church too, along with individual Christians, are also attacked - not necessarily physically (although that of course does happen, and today's commemoration is testament to that) but also verbally. We are often put down or put in our place. Our Faith may be spoken of as an irrelevance or an obstacle to society. People may be antagonistic towards us. Sometimes our faith and values may stand us in opposition to others, or may make us unpopular. 'Remember the Good News that I carry,' said St Paul. '"Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David"; it is on account of this that I have my own hardships to bear, even to being chained like a criminal - but they cannot chain up God's news.' And so we struggle on.

Readings: 2 Timothy 2:8-13. 3:10-12; Matthew 16:24-27