Today is the feast day of Saint Boniface, widely considered the Apostle to Germany.
Boniface was born in 672 in England. Against his father’s objections, he went through formation at a Benedictine monastery and became a priest at the age of 30.
In 719, Gregory II commissioned Boniface to evangelize the tribes located in present-day Germany. He was consecrated a bishop in 722.
In 723, Saint Boniface felled the sacred “Oak of Thor”, which the local pagans had kept as a sacred place. With Elijah in mind, Saint Boniface called upon Thor to strike him down if he cut his "holy" tree. It is said that Saint Boniface started to chop the oak down, when suddenly, a great wind, as if sent by God, blew the ancient oak over.
When Thor did not strike him down, the people converted to Christianity. Saint Boniface then built a chapel from the wood of the felled tree.
Many people credit Saint Boniface with the inspiration of the Christmas tree. It is said that a fir tree grew in the roots of the “Oak of Thor” that was chopped down by Saint Boniface. This was claimed by the saint as a new symbol as he said, "This humble tree's wood is used to build your homes: let Christ be at the center of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light. Its boughs reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let Christ be your Comfort and Guide".
Boniface was elevated to archbishop in 732. He established several dioceses, restored Church hierarchy across the area, and founded the influential Abbey of Fulda.
In 754, Boniface traveled to Fresia. As he was preparing to confirm a group of converts, he and his companions were ambushed and martyred by armed locals.
Saint Boniface gives us a clear example of Missionary Discipleship.
We cannot give what we do not have. We must continue to grow in a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must look for ways to continue to deepen our faith. We must stay connected to Jesus and to each other through the Mass, the Sacraments, and the ministries of the parish.
We must not be afraid to fail. As Mother Teresa would say, “God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” We will face setbacks, just as Boniface did. We must remain obedient to the mission of the Church and to the Holy Spirit, and we must trust God's timing rather than our own.
We must grow in holy boldness. We must challenge the modern-day idols we face: human secularism, relativism, consumerism, individualism, and the -isms that bombard us on a daily basis. We must demonstrate the superior power and love of God made visible in our lives.
We must make disciples who in turn, make more disciples. We must support a parish culture that seeks out and embraces the lost sheep, and then walks with them to encounter the saving love of Jesus Christ...ultimately, helping them to do the same for others.
Saint Boniface challenges us to step outside of our comfort zone. He challenges us to bring the Light of Christ to a world that has been darkened by evil. He challenges us to spread the Kingdom of the Sacred Heart out into the world around us. He challenges us to go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Thanks be to God!
