Thomas More and Our Work
I saw Thomas More at the Frick Museum recently. There he was, as painted by Hans Holbein. It's a famous painting and the original hangs in the Frick (70th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan). Holbein met St Thomas More. He got to know him a bit. He didn't just paint him from some description, or from some inspiration. I've seen it on three separate occasions. It's a real attraction at the Frick and sometimes people standing next to you will remark on how stunning the portrait is.
If you can't see Thomas More at the Frick, try the movie starring Paul Scofield. I've watched "A Man For All Seasons" - the movie with Paul Scofield as Thomas More - at least a dozen times. We have the DVD (and once had a video). It's one of our family's favorite movies. It's perfect - not a single word, camera shot, edit or note of music out of place. Incredible.
Thomas More stands as an example for us Catholic men at work. If you've got the movie, watch the movie attentively. See the machinations of the characters jockeying for positions of power and influence. Watch them responding to Henry VIII's demands for loyalty as he divorces Catherine and makes himself head of the Church of England. Compare Thomas More's reactions and responses to the majority of other men.
More didn't seek martyrdom. He didn't want to be a "hero." He simply lived according the dictates of his conscience, above all. (And, by the way, More's idea of consciences wasn't just that he was following what he thought was right. He understood that good conscience is informed by the teachings of Holy Mother Church.)
Even more, you will be struck by how this brilliant man of the world lived his life fully aware and conscious of the supernatural: the reality and central importance of conscience, his eternal soul and the fact that someday he would account for his actions before God Himself.
Most of our decisions at work (or in life in general) are (fortunately) not so important or critical as the sorts of decisions we see Thomas having to make. But in our own ways we work with people, some of whom have their own power and influence as their foremost motivation for their daily decisions and actions. But we Catholic men are not like that.
We Catholic men work and live according to a well-informed conscience. We know that, in the end, if our daily decisions are consistent with the dictates of our conscience we will someday stand before God humbly, begging His mercy, yet confident of the sincerity of our efforts during our brief stay here on earth.
Thomas More saw his life in this eternal context. Do we? Or are we wrapped up in the "here and now"? Are we consumed with daily concerns, allowing a secular culture to dominate our thoughts, words and actions every day? Is the example we give our families and co-workers one of a man of this world, or that of a man of God?
Thomas More was a lawyer, scholar and writer, as well as a top government official. He's a good example for us Catholic men at work. Pray that his example, both as a husband, father and worker will lead us to be better at all we do.
Believe me, I don't want to be called upon to give up my life as a martyr. Then again, neither did More. What's impressive is that he would have been just as great a man, perhaps as great a saint, even if he had not been martyred.
If you can't see Thomas More at the Frick, try the movie starring Paul Scofield. I've watched "A Man For All Seasons" - the movie with Paul Scofield as Thomas More - at least a dozen times. We have the DVD (and once had a video). It's one of our family's favorite movies. It's perfect - not a single word, camera shot, edit or note of music out of place. Incredible.
Thomas More stands as an example for us Catholic men at work. If you've got the movie, watch the movie attentively. See the machinations of the characters jockeying for positions of power and influence. Watch them responding to Henry VIII's demands for loyalty as he divorces Catherine and makes himself head of the Church of England. Compare Thomas More's reactions and responses to the majority of other men.
More didn't seek martyrdom. He didn't want to be a "hero." He simply lived according the dictates of his conscience, above all. (And, by the way, More's idea of consciences wasn't just that he was following what he thought was right. He understood that good conscience is informed by the teachings of Holy Mother Church.)
Even more, you will be struck by how this brilliant man of the world lived his life fully aware and conscious of the supernatural: the reality and central importance of conscience, his eternal soul and the fact that someday he would account for his actions before God Himself.
Most of our decisions at work (or in life in general) are (fortunately) not so important or critical as the sorts of decisions we see Thomas having to make. But in our own ways we work with people, some of whom have their own power and influence as their foremost motivation for their daily decisions and actions. But we Catholic men are not like that.
We Catholic men work and live according to a well-informed conscience. We know that, in the end, if our daily decisions are consistent with the dictates of our conscience we will someday stand before God humbly, begging His mercy, yet confident of the sincerity of our efforts during our brief stay here on earth.
Thomas More saw his life in this eternal context. Do we? Or are we wrapped up in the "here and now"? Are we consumed with daily concerns, allowing a secular culture to dominate our thoughts, words and actions every day? Is the example we give our families and co-workers one of a man of this world, or that of a man of God?
Thomas More was a lawyer, scholar and writer, as well as a top government official. He's a good example for us Catholic men at work. Pray that his example, both as a husband, father and worker will lead us to be better at all we do.
Believe me, I don't want to be called upon to give up my life as a martyr. Then again, neither did More. What's impressive is that he would have been just as great a man, perhaps as great a saint, even if he had not been martyred.
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