Saint Eric of Sweden

Eric of Sweden was king of most of Sweden, during the middle of the 12th century.  Realize much of Scandinavia was still occupied and governed by tribal clans at this time in history.  Eric welcomed and promoted Christianity in the mainly pagan nation.  As his armies forged into neighboring Finland, he set about establishing a Christian presence there.  Not all of his nobles were happy about his promotion of the Christian Religion.

When the Danes were bearing down on Sweden, as Eric prepared to ride into battle, a conspiracy arose, and some of his closest advisers murdered him before he could reach the battlefield.  He is considered a Martyr and his writings and witness are still of importance among Christians in Sweden today.

I believe it was during his general audience on Wednesday, that Pope Francis challenged catholics not to be 'couch potatoes' in regards to faith.  While imposing faith as part of conquering a nation is probably not the best form of evangelization, we are called to live out our faith as witnesses of all that we have seen and heard.  Even as I plan for next weekend's homily, I was contemplating the reality that many who have received the sacraments of initiation over these last few weeks, are nowhere to be seen.  This is a real sadness.

The vision of the Second Vatican Council seems to have been that as the Eucharist is the focus of our catholic life, we use it as a springboard out into the world.  I recall a man mentioning that he really did not need the sacrament of reconciliation, since he had not murdered anyone.  But what about the Beatitudes, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and the precepts of the Church?  Being Church in the modern world is not something which Bishops, Priests, and Nuns do.

Not many folks have heard of St Eric, or uncle Ned, aunt Zelda, the Sorokas family; but it is through faithful participation by which the Church grows into a vital entity which unfolds the Word of God, and the Paschal Mystery.