Becket

[thomryng]

Today is the feast of St. Thomas Becket, one of the earliest saints to fascinate me for many reasons, not the least of which is that I share his name.

His is a compelling story of continuing conversion, culminating in martyrdom.

I consider him one of my patrons, along with St. John the Divine, whose feast was the day before yesterday.

Comments

Johnny Pedant strikes...

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I though the quote was "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest!"

Re: Johnny Pedant strikes...

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

Well, it's true that your version is the version I learned on Blackadder... however the actual words are in some dispute.

Pedantic is my middle name.

Becket Rocks!

[kevinandliz.livejournal.com]

I remember when I first saw the movie Becket staring Burton and O'Toole while I was in high school. It was to me a fine example of honor, duty and friendship. The tragic part was that Henry asuumed that his good friend would run roughshod over the church if Becket was made archbishop. The fact that Becket found himself honorbound to do the duty of the Archbishop and stand against his friend the king..that in being in the preistly office he found perhaps the higher calling and even conversion is awsome (and tragic for his friendship with Henry). It's always been a great story of how people grow and change and how duty can put us on opposites sides of an issue. As a christian that has quite a few friends of other faiths and belief systems I understand the importance of embracing the friendship and at the same time not comprimising on my faith. It's important to respect others points of view and not expect your friends to comprimise cuz you don't agree with them.
John 15:12-14 (New King James Version)
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.