(1118-1170) Thomas was born to nobility of Norman descent in London. He studied civil and canon law, became Archdeacon of Canterbury, Lord Chancellor to King Henry II, was ordained a priest, and eventually made Archbishop of Canterbury. Friction between King Henry II and the Church arose, and Thomas opposed the monarchy’s interference in church affairs. Some of Henry’s knights saw this as treason and murdered Thomas in the Cathedral at Canterbury.
After Thomas was made Archbishop, he increased his personal discipline, prayer, and fasting, resulting in a change in Thomas that seemed to incite the conflict with the monarchy. Has a positive change in your spiritual life ever caused an apparent negative reaction in someone around you? If so, how did you deal with that situation?
“Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered…the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith…All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown” (Saint Thomas Becket).
Reflection by Brad Farmer