“For the name of Jesus” – Saint Thomas Becket

On December 29th, 2020, President Donald Trump declared that the anniversary of Saint Thomas Becket’s death should be observed nationwide. The official proclamation tells the story of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop who refused to allow King Henry II to exert more control over the church in England. When King Henry II threatened Archbishop Becket, he responded, “God is the supreme ruler, above Kings” and quoting Acts 5:29, “we ought to obey God rather than men.”Show more

Eventually, they gave him an ultimatum: give in to the King’s demands or die. He replied: “For the name of Jesus and the protection of the Church, I am ready to embrace death.” Our current religious liberty was bought with the blood of martyrs. In an age of endless lockdowns, mandatory masks and restrictions of all kinds, it’s important to remember that any freedom we give up is hard to get back.

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. It’s how America was founded. In the words of Patrick Henry, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Defending liberty is more important than being comfortable; it’s more important than life. God’s love is greater than life; nothing can separate us from His love. Be firm, immovable in faith, never wavering or giving an inch. Like Jesus said, in this world we’re going to suffer a bit, but don’t worry: He has overcome the world.