November 27

On this day in 1095, Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade, with the aim of capturing Jerusalem. When Jerusalem fell, the Crusaders massacred resident Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. In this and subsequent crusades, an estimated nine million people were killed.

Also on this day in 1825, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel signed his will, establishing that his fortune and estate would be used for the creation of an award for those who contributed to the benefit of humanity. Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was especially concerned that his legacy be one of peace.

Today is the feast day of Saint Vergil of Salzburg, who died in 784. He was twice denounced by colleagues and exonerated by Rome. In the first case, he argued that baptisms were valid even if the priest mispronounced the words. In the second, he argued that the world was a sphere and the people might even live on the other side of the planet. 

Reflection:

Today I’d like to share a quote from Albert Schweitzer, who wrote: 

Vergil was born in Ireland, but settled in Salzburg, and was one of those early monastic philosophers who believed that all truth was God’s truth. His belief in a round Earth was likely buttressed by the knowledge of early Irish explorers who sailed West. 

Prayer: God, help Christianity to grow past its adolescence into a mature religion. Amen.