June 5, 2026 Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr Gospel: Mark 12:35-37
Today, Holy Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Boniface. The Saint was born around the year 675 in Crediton, Devonshire, England. From his youth, he entered a Benedictine monastery. In the year 716, he undertook his first missionary expedition to Frisia, though without success. Two years later, having received papal approval, he set out again and successfully evangelized vast regions of southern Germany. Eventually, he was appointed Archbishop of Mainz by Pope Gregory III. In his seventies, he embarked on a new mission to Holland. In the year 754, at Dokkum in Frisia, he was martyred together with fifty-two companions. His body was taken to Fulda and laid to rest in the monastery he had founded.
Today’s Gospel passage from Saint Mark continues to present Jesus teaching in the Temple of Jerusalem. I wish to take this occasion to offer some further reflections.
How are we to understand Jesus’ question: “How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’” (cf. Mark 12:35-37; Psalm 110[109]:1)? We ought to consider: if Christ were not from God, if He were not the Eternal Word of God who was with God in the beginning (cf. John 1:1-2), then David would have called the Messiah his son, rather than calling Him his Lord.
Indeed, through the sin of the first Adam, humanity lost all those graces which God had bestowed upon man created “in His own image” (cf. Genesis 1:27-31). But God, rich in mercy, according to His promise made to our first parents (cf. Genesis 3:14-19), sent forth His Only Son, our Lord and God, Jesus Christ. He, though knowing no sin, was made sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). We firmly believe that the Sacred Baptism we receive causes us to be reborn in Christ (cf. Romans 6:3-5). And when we follow Christ and are led by the “Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father” (cf. John 15:26), we are truly children of God, for “whoever are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (cf. Romans 8:14).
Today, as the Church commemorates the martyr Saint Boniface, she calls us to imitate his example—to remain faithful to the Word and to live as true children of God, as taught by Jesus. May our thoughts, words, and deeds reflect the likeness of the Heavenly Father, whom Jesus revealed. May those who live with us witness this transformation and themselves be converted, so that this world, now filled with strife, may once more radiate the harmony of God’s first creation.
May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord, that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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