July 3, 2017
Devotions: Timeline of the Reformation: John Fisher executed 1535

We have already heard much about King Henry the VIII in my June 26 devotion. Henry the VIII is probably best known for his many marriages, his obesity, and his break from the Catholic Church and starting his own church, the Church of England. Because his efforts to have his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled were not successful leading to a disagreement with the Pope on the question of the annulment, Henry initiated the English Reformation – separating the Church of England from the authority of the Pope and appointing himself as Supreme Head of the Church of England. Though he remained faithful to many of the teachings of the Catholic faith, he used his authority with deadly aim, executing many without formal trials, and many of his own ministers were also executed when they fell out of his favor.

One of those Henry had executed was John Fisher, also known as Saint John Fisher. The Catholic Church established a feast day in his honor (and also St. Thomas More) on June 22. Fisher was a Catholic Bishop and a theologian. Fisher sided with Catherine of Aragon when Henry first announced his intent to divorce her. He appeared on behalf of Queen Catherine and surprised the court with his directness and willingness to die for the issue of not dissolving the marriage. Obviously this did not please the king. Once King Henry separated from the Catholic Church, he did not forget the forceful support fisher gave to Catherine of Aragon – and eventually he had Fisher executed. Henry had Fisher imprisoned in 1534. The next year he was made a Cardinal by Paul III and Henry retaliated by having him beheaded within a month. (Adapted and adopted from catholic.org, St. John Fisher, wikipedia)

It was a completely different time in the 16th century: faith, politics and everyday life were so intertwined they just flowed seamlessly from one to the other. And when those in authority decided they didn’t like something, or like a decision, they just formed their own religion or changed the hierarchy. What inspires me about these people of faith is their willingness to stand firm in the face of death, imprisonment, exile, and excommunication. Thank the Lord we do not need to die for our faith, but we should stand firm in our faith. When we see something that is happening around us that we know us just not right, at least from a faith perspective, may we have the fortitude to stand up, and stand firm.

Pastor Dave

Please collect toilet tissue and facial tissues for Trinity’s Table.