Optional Memorial of Saint John Fisher, and Saint Thomas More, Martyrs

Brief Background:

St. John Fisher was the Bishop of Rochester and one of the most respected scholars and church leaders of his time. Known for his holiness, learning, and dedication to the truth, he courageously defended the teachings of the Church when King Henry VIII sought to break away from the authority of the Pope. Fisher refused to compromise his faith or recognize the king as the head of the Church in England. As a result, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London and eventually executed on June 22, 1535. Today, he is remembered as a patron saint of bishops, theologians, and those who courageously defend the faith.

St. Thomas More was a husband, father, lawyer, scholar, and Lord Chancellor of England. A trusted advisor and friend of the king, More was widely admired for his intelligence, integrity, and deep faith. When faced with the choice between loyalty to the king and loyalty to God, he chose God. Refusing to support the king's claim over the Church, he was imprisoned and eventually executed. His famous final words, "I die the King's good servant, but God's first," continue to inspire Christians to place their faith above all earthly powers. He is the patron saint of lawyers, judges, politicians, and public officials.

Together, Saints John Fisher and Thomas More remind us that true faithfulness often requires courage. They were not rebels seeking conflict; they were faithful Christians who followed their conscience, even when it cost them their positions, their freedom, and ultimately their lives. Their witness challenges us to ask whether we are willing to stand for what is right when it is difficult, unpopular, or costly.

In a world that often pressures us to compromise our beliefs, these two saints remind us that our first loyalty belongs to God. Their lives teach us that holiness is not measured by success or popularity, but by faithfulness to Christ and His truth.

REFLECTION:

One of the apps I regularly use is the Hallow app. Besides offering prayers, reflections, and interviews, one feature I appreciate is its reminders. Sometimes it will notify me that it's time to pray, or it will tell me that I have thirty minutes before Night Prayer begins. These reminders are helpful because, in the midst of a busy day, it is easy to lose track of time and forget something important.

As I reflected on today's reading from 2 Kings 17, I couldn't help but think about those reminders. The difference is that God was sending reminders long before smartphones and apps existed. Throughout Israel's history, God repeatedly sent prophets to remind His people of the covenant, to call them back to faithfulness, and to warn them about the consequences of turning away from Him. The problem was not that God failed to remind them. The problem was that they ignored the reminders.

The reading tells us that the people adopted the practices of the surrounding nations and gradually drifted away from God. Little by little, they stopped listening. Even when prophets spoke God's message, they hardened their hearts and refused to change. Eventually, the consequences of their choices caught up with them, and the kingdom fell.

Perhaps the lesson for us today is to ask ourselves: What reminders is God sending me right now? Maybe it is a passage of Scripture that keeps speaking to us. Maybe it is a homily that hits close to home. Maybe it is a spouse, parent, friend, teacher, or coworker who is encouraging us to make a change. Maybe it is the quiet voice of our conscience reminding us to pray, forgive, or return to the Lord.

Unlike the notifications on our phones, God's reminders are not trying to get our attention for just a moment. They are meant to guide us toward life, holiness, and a deeper relationship with Him. The tragedy of Israel was not that God stopped speaking; it was that they stopped listening.

Today, when God sends us a reminder, may we not swipe it away. Instead, may we pause, listen, and respond before small compromises become bigger problems. God's reminders are ultimately signs of His love, because He desires not our punishment but our return to Him.