September 28

Today marks the martyrdom, in 935, of “Good King Wenceslaus” of Bohemia, a Czech national hero who was assassinated by his brother. 

Today is also a feast day for Eustochium, a woman who was a Christian leader and disciple of Saint Jerome dedicated to asceticism. She was a scholar of Greek and Hebrew and may have helped Jerome in his reading and interpretation of the Bible. She died in the year 420. 

Today also marks the death, in 1959, of Albert Peyriguère, a Catholic hermit and follower of Charles de Foucauld (who we remembered on September 15). Like Charles, Albert became a missionary to a remote people group, the Berbers of Morocco, not to convert them, but to embody the living presence of Jesus Christ. He also became a voice against French colonialism

Today also marks the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva in the year 135. He was one of the sages recorded in the Mishnah, ancient Jewish oral traditions and commentaries on the Torah. Legend has it that he was moved to study Torah when he witnessed a hole worn in a rock by the slow, steady drip of water. He had a revelation that the study of Torah would do the same thing to his heart, and immediately committed himself to study for decades.  

Reflection: 

Tales of the “Good King” Wenceslaus began to circulate shortly after his death, and while many of them are probably folk legends, the stories reflected a medieval longing for righteous leadership. These stories are similar to the stories of King David in the Bible, which are likely based on a real king but are mostly religious propaganda. What makes David or “Good King Wenceslaus” stand out is the way their faith informs their just and merciful use of power. The Christmas hymn “Good King Wenceslaus” ends this way: 

Prayer: God, we once again hunger for righteous leadership, but you consistently point us away from earthly saviors to the one in our hearts. Help us to be not leader-less, but leader-full, with all who follow you embodying the virtues of a righteous leader—especially your divine compassion on those who are oppressed by poverty. Amen.