William P Wolfe

Medieval/Renaissance
History & Literature

Thomas More 
A Saint for Today 

“Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the
word of the kingdom without understanding it, and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the
word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When
some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and
the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is
the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a
hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13:18-23)

One of Christ’s most well-known parables is the “Parable of the Sower”. It illustrates the

various ways that people can fall away from God after hearing His Word. Despite its familiarity,

the modern world clearly shows that men do not heed its message. Constantly, men fall away

from Christ whether from ignorance, cowardice, arrogance, or avarice. The parable clearly

shows that these vices can only be overcome by those who are routed in “rich soil”. St. Sir

Thomas More, a political figure, Saint and Martyr of 16th century England, was just this type of

man. Since his youth, wise men have praised this “marvelous man”1 “of singular virtue and of a

clear unspotted conscience … and of such an angelic wit, as England never had the like before,

nor never shall again.”2 Having earned the title “A Man for All Seasons”, St. Thomas More

1
​Words of Cardinal John Morton according to William Roper;
Roper, William: T
​ he Life of Sir Thomas More (p. 9);​ copyright© Templegate Publishers
2
​Words of Erasmus, good friend of Thomas More, and William Roper, Son in Law of Thomas More
Roper, William: T
​ he Life of Sir Thomas More (p. 7);​ copyright© Templegate Publishers
possessed the wide variety of virtues needed for enduring holiness; therefore imitation of this

Christ-like saint is most profitable.

In the first part of the Parable, Christ described those who receive the Word of God

without understanding and lose their faith quickly. In the present time, the abundance of

lukewarm individuals is like no other period in history; indifference, agnosticism, and atheism

have become so prominent that their chaotic effects are seen in almost every corner of modern

society. The existence of morality is questioned, and with it, the institution of all that is orderly.

On the contrary, St. Thomas More was well equipped with understanding of God’s Word,

and as a result acquired the virtue of true Wisdom — that is, pious fear of the Lord. ​Thomas

took the Catholic Faith very seriously. He prayed together with his family and had routine

scripture readings before meals. He devoutly prayed in private, sometimes late into or

throughout the entire night. Doing the Will of God was his first priority, and no one could take

this away from him. When his time of trial came, he persevered knowing that a few years of

wealth could not compare to the eternal happiness in store for those who remained obedient to

God. His conscience was so well formed that neither the collusive men who desired his downfall

nor members of his own beloved family could convince him to deny the faith. When Thomas

was in prison, he looked forward to death, knowing it would unite him to Christ. Outside the

Tower of London, he often witnessed men dying cheerfully for the Faith; he told his daughter

that these martyrs went to death “as bridegrooms to their marriage.”3

Secondly, in the Parable of the Sower, Christ explained those who receive the word with

joy, but as soon as tribulation or persecution comes, they quickly fall away. Many people can

3
​Roper, William: ​The Life of Sir Thomas More (p. 98);​ copyright© Templegate Publishers
seem to have an ardent love of God, yet their love becomes cowardly and conditional. This is

why indifference or non-belief spreads so rapidly; people of this day lack all strength to

persevere in faith. ​Thomas More’s perseverance was extravagant. He illustrated the saintly

balance between meekness and fortitude. Throughout his life, he honored his father, his wife,

and the king, gladly sacrificing his will for theirs; yet when others desired him to go against the

will of God, he always remained faithful to God. Countless times his trust in God and the

Church surpassed his fear of harm. He never supported Henry’s endeavors to divorce his wife or

to become the supreme head of the Church in England. Even when Henry commanded an oath

of support to be taken under penalty of death, Thomas More’s faith would not be shaken. On the

way to his death, he suffered much like Christ on Mt. Calvary. Just before his death, he was

given an easy last chance to revoke his sentence, but he still stood firm. The knowledge of

heaven would always fortify him, and so he died “the king’s faithful servant, but God’s first”4

Christ’s parable next explains the third reason people fall away from him: anxiety.

Anxiety along with confusion is often the cause of cowardly unfaithfulness. ​Thomas More was

always an optimist, and he thanked God in all circumstances. This undoubtedly was a great

assistance in maintaining his courage against tribulation. Often, Thomas found himself

comforting those who lamented his maltreatment. The more troubles arose, the more he was

thankful to God for granting him this perseverance. He was grateful for the extent of time

granted to prepare for death in the Tower, and he thanked King Henry VIII for the “gracious”

sentence of beheading and for allowing his family to attend his burial. In addition to optimism,

Thomas had always loved laughter, and this also continued through his last days. Whenever his

4
​E.E. Reynolds: ​The Field is Won: the life and death of Saint Thomas More ​(pp.376-377); © 1968 Milwaukee
prison attendants were present, he was in high spirits, frequently making jokes with them. In

fact, Thomas’s last words were humourous: just before the axe reached his neck, he reportedly

cried out, “Stop! I must put my beard aside. It would be a shame to chop it off. After all, my

poor beard is not accused of treason!.”5 In the words of Brandon Vogt “​Thomas answered St.

Teresa of Avila’s plea: ‘God protect me from gloomy faced saints.’”6

Though the parable of the sower does not directly reference the vice of pride, Christ’s

teachings clearly show that pride always leads to destruction. With disbelief in God comes an

ironic counterfeit sense of pride; this is why humility, which leads to charity, is in such short

supply in modern times. On the contrary, Thomas More possessed a compelling humility,

despite his often superior intelligence and ability to outwit others. In fact, More respected

others’ reputation so much more than his own that when he won an argument he would often

change the subject completely to avoid ridiculing his opponent. ​Often this made More look like

the fool, but his concern was not what others thought of him. This Saint thanked God for all

those who slandered or convicted him, and he openly prayed for them. Thus, St. Thomas More

assuredly had no ambition for fame or fortune — he simply did his best for the Will of God.

Finally, Christ addressed in the parable of the sower the “lure” of fame and fortune. This

depravity is not particular to modern time but is an age-old motive of adversity throughout

history. Christ made it clear that “​it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than

for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”7 Hence, so many men have fallen into “lure of

riches”, trading it for their souls; however, for the miraculous Thomas More, it was not so. ​He

5
(unknown original source) ​Ince, Elizabeth M.: S
​ t. Thomas More of London (p. 160) ;​ © 1985 by Elizabeth M. Ince, published in 2003 
by Ignatius Press
6
​Vogt, Brandon: ​Thomas More, A Saint for All Seasons; ​©2016 Word on Fire
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/st-thomas-more-a-saint-for-all-seasons/
7
​Matthew 19:24
was given an expensive education; his reputation and prosperity quickly progressed. Throughout

his life, he was given ample opportunity for great power and fame, which other more ambitious

men, such as the corrupt Cardinal Wolsey, would have taken advantage of. Nevertheless,

Thomas More had no ambition for temporal ascendancy. He never asked for more money than

what was due to him, several times rejecting bribes and rewards.

Thomas only accepted his temporary wealth and position for the betterment of others:

specifically, to raise his children in virtue with a good education and to fulfill his duty to God

and his beloved country. Once while speaking to his son-in-law, William Roper, Thomas

revealed his greatest desires:

" ‘The first is, That whereas the most part of Christian princes be at mortal war, they were all at
universal peace. The second, that where the church of Christ is at this present sore afflicted with
many errors and heresies, it were well settled in perfect uniformity of religion. The third that
where the matter of the kings marriage is now come in question, it were to the glory of God and
quietness of all parties brought to a good conclusion’ ”8
Thomas proved his authentic aspiration for these things in the way that he valiantly took up his

cross and strove to serve his family, king, country, Church, and ultimately God to the best of his

ability. His many positions — including Treasurer, Under-Sheriff of London, Speaker of the

House of Commons, an ambassador of England, and Lord Chancellor — were dangerous and

burdensome (not to mention demanding). Yet Thomas More’s endeavor was full of great

success: As Undersheriff, the common people loved him for his justice and charity; as Speaker

of the House of Commons, he daringly worked for the non-existent freedom of speech in

parliament and several times boldly spoke out against the corrupt demands of Chancellor

Archbishop Wolsey and King Henry VIII; as an ambassador to England for foreign affairs,

More acquired peace treaties between England, Spain, and France; and finally, as Lord

8
​Roper, William: T​ he Life of Sir Thomas More (p. 33);​ copyright© Templegate Publishers
Chancellor, Thomas More fought against heresies with understanding, faithfully served and

spoke on behalf of the king, and ultimately resisted Henry’s attack on the Church. Furthermore,

he never changed his amiable treatment of the common folk despite his high positions. Equally

admirable, he established a charitable home for retired servants and put his life in danger in order

to calm down a riot in London. Once More lost his wealth, he diligently returned to his studying

and writing. His writings would include the famous ​Utopia​ and several apologetical letters,

which he used to reform the Church instead of dividing it. It was clear that Thomas More served

out of selfless love, and never for worldly dominance as do many men with political power.

St. Sir Thomas More possessed Knowledge, Understanding, and Piety to protect him

against the evil one; Fortitude and Fear of the Lord to guard him against cowardice; and Council

and Wisdom to persevere in faithfulness. This made him a seed sown in rich soil, a plant bearing

much fruit, so tall that all may witness its fruit-bearing as a model for holiness. As he was open

to the will of God, so did God work within him, and use him to reap benefits in the Church, in

his country, and in all who learn of St. Thomas More. He made himself like Christ, and so

brought Christ to the world. Thus those who follow in the footsteps of Saint Thomas More will

also follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who is the Way — the way to mend this broken

world.  

 
 
Bibliography:
Roper, William: ​The Life of Sir Thomas More;​ copyright© Templegate Publishers

Ince, Elizabeth M.: ​St. Thomas More of London;​ © 1985 by Elizabeth M. Ince, published in 2003 by Ignatius Press,
San Francisco

Vogt, Brandon: Thomas More, A Saint for All Seasons; ©2016 Word on Fire
https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/st-thomas-more-a-saint-for-all-seasons/

Smith, Dorothy: ​THOMAS MORE the King’s Good Servant;​ copyright© 1988 Dorothy Smith