Pope St Martin I, whom we read about today in In Caelo et in Terra, was the last pope we celebrate as a martyr. He called a council to condemn a heresy, and it just so happens that the Eastern emperor was a big fan of this heresy, which was called monothelitism. The Eastern emperor had him imprisoned and ordered to be killed, but the patriarch of Constantinople interceded for him and instead he was just held in prison for two long, lonely years until he finally died of neglect.
While in prison, he lamented that everyone had forgotten about him - his friends and family paid him little or no attention. You can read more about him here.
There are SO MANY lonely people today. Especially the last 12 months, as people have been locked away for their safety and unable to see or even fearful of other people.
Who can you visit today to cheer them up? Who can you pray for, that their burden might be lighter?
God, thanks for the good example and bold leadership of this pope, who reminded us also to take care of the lonely. Pope St Martin I, pray for us.
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