Imagine a saint who would make modern liberals squirm. Meet Blessed John of Meda. He was a 12th-century cleric who embodied values that have become surprisingly controversial today. John of Meda, born in 1100 in Meda, near Milan, Italy, is celebrated for his devotion to faith, community service, and living a life of purpose. He was a Cistercian abbot, known for reforming monastic life and establishing a legacy of religious discipline. His life was one of simplicity and sacrifice—a notion that’s almost an affront in today’s world where personal gratification often trumps sustained commitments.
Now, let's look at what John represents. He upheld strict discipline and devotion, leading with moral integrity. John died in 1159, but he spent his life making real changes in the world. Let's be honest, even the hint of moral absolutism like that is enough to send some into a tizzy today. Here are ten things that make John of Meda a saint whose principles could ruffle quite a few feathers.
Faith as an Unyielding Pillar: John’s life was grounded in a faith that was as unyielding as it was ancient. He adhered to a belief system that didn't bend or break for the sake of fashionable trends. The man was all about objective truth, an idea less popular now in an age where everything is subjective.
Monastic Renewal: Let's discuss how John of Meda saw the corruption in the church and took it head-on by renewing monastic life. He led the erection of the Priorate of Meda. The monastery was an experiment in creating a society that valued discipline over chaos, where rules existed to be followed, not debated endlessly.
Austerity Over Excess: Think giving up material wealth voluntarily, especially when excessive consumerism and instant gratification are the orders of the day. His choice would be seen as radical today.
Community and Sacrifice: He wasn't about individualism, the narcissism of the self-focused modern mindset. John believed in community service, in putting the community before the individual, in sacrificing personal ambition for a greater common good.
Leadership, Not Popularity: If you are looking for a saint who'd spend his life in online debates to win popularity points, look elsewhere. John wasn’t interested in being liked; he wanted to lead. He took positions that were unpopular but essential, holding firm to principles that withstand time.
Merit Over Entitlement: Let's face it, entitlement wasn’t part of John's mindset. He valued merit. The modern rewriting of equality to mean equal outcomes would have had him scratching his head in bewilderment.
Education with Purpose: John's take on education was rigorous and purposeful. He founded schools to help others attain not just knowledge but wisdom—a distinction often lost today in higher education.
Charitable Focus: Contributing to welfare meant more than throwing money at problems for John. He actively worked to help the needy, emphasizing spiritual upliftment along with material support.
Absolute Morality: For John, moral relativism wasn't an option. He believed in absolute truths and stuck by them, concepts as outdated today as a rotary phone.
Legacy Through Action: John left a legacy by performing verifiable actions that aligned with his beliefs. Much more meaningful than today’s trend of making a grandstand gesture for social media approval.
In a time where certain words seem to become ambiguous, where morality bends to the will of the loudest voice, figures like John of Meda remind us of values based on tradition, enduring truth, and the audacity to commit to them without apology.