Today is the feast day of Saint Stephen, the first martyr stoned probably around 36 CE, the day when Wenceslaus I, who was not a king but the Duke of Bohemia, part of the Czech Republic. He is chiefly remembered through the carol, “Good King Wenceslas,” written by John Mason Neale in 1853.
Like many nobles of his time, Wenceslaus did not have a long life, being assassinated by his younger brother appropriately known as Boleslaus the Cruel in 935 when he was just 28 years old. But during his short life, as chroniclers wrote, “he went around to God’s churches and gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered, not a prince, but the father of all the wretched.”
It's a shame that his carol is not in most hymnals because it speaks of the true meaning of the season we celebrate: giving to the poor without regard. Venerated as a saint shortly after his death, all kinds of legends about him grew. But one truth we do know, Wenceslaus shared what he had with the poor. We are called to do the same.
Prayer for the Day
Responding to your call, O God, we give to the poor,
But we know what is really necessary: an end to poverty;
Give us the spirit not just of Wenceslaus but of many others
Who have given of themselves to create your kingdom of equity.
Hold us in your heart, O God, so we become transformers
Of your world and its people who suffer from want.
In the name of the One who can empower us all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Good King Wenceslas looked on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.
- John Mason Neale, Anglican priest/hymn writer (1818-1866)
Change is more needed than ever, as we take up the challenge of building a better world after COVID-19. We want no one to go hungry. We want the same opportunities to succeed for all the world's children
- Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, sell all you have and give to the poor,” and the young man was saddened for he had many possessions – Matthew 19: 22