Egton Bridge

5 July 2009

As we remember and commemorate Blessed Nicholas Postgate and the Martyrs of England and Wales, I can say that my life has been surrounded by, associated with and inspired by the Martyrs of England and Wales.
Our diocese of Middlesbrough has never lacked saints and martyrs to inspire, guard and guide us; Wilfrid, William, Willibrord, Aelred, Hilda, John of Beverley, John of Bridlington, Margaret Clitherow, our own Nicholas Postgate, and Thomas Palaser, not mentioned much around these parts, but he was born in Ellerton upon Swale near Richmond, nearer Catterick. We should give great thanks to Almighty God for such a rich heritage and for their prayers and example.
In the Gospel we have just heard this afternoon, Jesus is referred to as the carpenter. To show that Jesus was nothing out of the ordinary; you will not find his authority in his job or social position.
A prophet is only despised in his own country among his own relations and in his own house. In the past God spoke his word through the prophets, who were rejected. Now he speaks his word through Jesus, the greatest of the prophets, who is rejected by his own people. Jesus’ authority, like that of the prophets of old, comes from God.
The crowd’s lack of faith distresses Jesus. Faith comes through powerlessness. The prophet Jesus will be put to death. Those who want to be followers of Jesus must relinquish power and they must accept that the path they take will lead to the cross.
For so many years Nicholas Postgate faithfully followed the Lord. He gave up power and position to witness to the saving power of the death of Christ offered in the Sacrifice of the Mass. He possessed a powerful powerlessness.
A humble man, a prophet of God’s word, whose authority came from God.
He also accepted that his disciple’s path would eventually lead to the cross. Thus, after nearly fifty years of faithful, fruitful priestly ministry, he was captured, imprisoned and condemned for being a priest. He was martyred on 7 August 1679 at York.
We are the beneficiaries of Nicholas Postgate and his martyr companions of England and Wales. We stand here today celebrating the same Mass because of his faithful witness. We are also called to be witnesses in powerlessness, in our weakness – My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness….For it is when I am weak that I am strong. Nicholas Postgate knew that the Lord would provide him with everything that he needed to be a true witness, a true disciple.
Through the intercession of St Nicholas Postgate may our faithful yet powerless witness cause the words of scripture to ring true again in our generation: Whether they listen or not, this set of rebels shall know there is a prophet among them.