Thomas Becket/es: Difference between revisions

[[File:Meister Francke 007.jpg|thumb|alt=Thomas Becket on horseback|Thomas Becket]]

'''Thomas Becket''' (1118–1170) was Lord Chancellor of England in the twelfth century under Henry II, archbishop of Canterbury, and an incarnation of the ascended master [[El Morya]]. He was deeply devoted to the will of God and endured years of conflict with King Henry II over the rights of Church versus State. Becket was brutally murdered in his own cathedral by four knights who acted in response to Henry's desire to be rid “of this turbulent priest.” For centuries after his death, pilgrims flocked to his tomb at Canterbury and Saint Thomas worked many miracles there.

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<blockquote>Durante mucho tiempo he guardado silencio, esperando que tal vez el Señor os inspiraría para que recuperarais vuestras fuerzas; si cuando menos uno de vosotros se levantara y se apostara como un muro para defender la casa de Israel, y cuando menos en apariencia emprendiera la batalla contra los que no cesan diariamente sus ataques contra los ejércitos del Señor. He esperado; nadie se ha levantado. He sido paciente; nadie se ha apostado. He guardado silencio; nadie ha hablado. He; disimulado; nadie ha luchado, ni siquiera en apariencia... Apresurémonos, pues, juntos a actuar, para que la ira de Dios no descienda sobre nosotros por ser pastores negligentes y ociosos, para que no se crea que somos perros mudos, demasiado débiles para ladrar.</blockquote>

Becket excommunicated the bishops who had aided Henry. He also threatened England with an interdict that would forbid the people from participating in church functions.

The historic quarrel had dragged on for three years when at last King Louis was able to effect a partial reconciliation between Thomas and Henry. Henry invited Becket to return to England, where he was welcomed by enthusiastic crowds. As he entered Canterbury Cathedral it was said of him by a contemporary biographer, “Some saw and marveled at the face of this man, for it seemed as though his flaming heart burned in his very countenance.”

== Martyrdom ==

Becket was met with fierce hostility from some, however. Three bishops who had been excommunicated by Thomas for direct disobedience to the Pope went before the king, who remained yet in France. In a fit of rage, Henry cried out, “What disloyal cowards do I have in my court that not one will free me of this lowborn priest?”

Four barons who overheard the king’s remarks plotted to kill Becket. When the archbishop received word of their plan, he said, “I think I know for certain that I will be slain. But they will find me ready to suffer pain and death for God’s name.”

On December 29, 1170, the barons brutally murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, four days after Christmas. His last words were, “For the name of Jesus and the defense of the Church, I embrace death.”

El increíble sacrilegio de asesinar a un arzobispo en su propia catedral produjo una reacción de horror por toda la cristianidad. Cuando le llegó la noticia al rey, se dio cuenta de que su observación errónea había causado la muerte de Becket. Enrique se recluyó y ayunó durante cuarenta días; más tarde manifestó públicamente su arrepentimiento en la catedral de Canterbury.  

Elizabeth Clare Prophet, 17 de febrero de 1991.

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