The Memorial of St Boniface

Tobit 1:3.2:1-8, Mk 12:1-12. In an age of shifting cultural values, we need the strong wisdom of today’s first reading, which integrates religion with everyday life. The deeply-held family values are revived to provide a foothold of meaning. In the story, God responds to Tobit’s sense of fidelity. Today’s Gospel also wrestles with the problem of failure and the sense of loss. The vineyard owner seems to have vanished, so the tenant farmers behave recklessly, even killing the owner’s son to seize control of the property. When Jesus told this parable, He surely had in mind the familiar text: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Ps 118:22).

This principle of reversal holds that God is always faithful to those who trust Him and can draw new life from the worst of situations. Jesus who knew the pain of rejection identifies with us in our moments of rejection. He also assures us that there can be life and love beyond rejection; the rejected stone can become the keystone. God can work in a life-giving way in and through various painful experiences that we struggle with in life. Experiences that we might judge to be completely negative can turn out to be foundational for our lives. The Lord’s power often manifests itself in surprising ways in our moments of greatest weakness. The Lord manifest Himself in the life of St Boniface, a great bishop and martyr who dedicated his life and works for the greater glory of God. He was an English Benedictine monk who was especially remembered for his efforts in evangelising the Germanic people in the northern parts of Germany, proclaiming the Good News to many of the people there who still believed in pagan and false gods and beliefs. He was born in England to a prominent family and then against the wishes of his father, learnt theology and eventually became a monk and priest.

May the Lord direct our thoughts and will to serve him faithfully all our days! Amen!! Have a fruitful week!!!