Our Reverend Phillip Smith has a
label of “Chaplin” for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Jail system. Where
did the name come from?
The story is
told about St. Martin of Tours in France, a compassionate fourth century
soldier, who encountered a shivering beggar on a cold winter night. Having no
money in his purse, this soldier took off his cloak and slashed it with his
sword to give half of it to the beggar. Later that night he saw a vision in
which Jesus Christ was wearing the half-cloak. As a result of this experience
he became a Christian and was baptized. Ultimately he left the army to devote
his life to the church. In time he became the patron saint of the French kings
of the Middle Ages. St. Martin ’s cloak
(cappella) was carried into battle by the kings as a banner signifying ‘the
presence of God.’ But since the cappella was a sacred relic of the church, a
priest went along as custodian. This keeper of the cloak, or cappellanus, also
tended the king’s religious needs, and from his office was derived that of
‘chaplain.’ The depository for the cloak became the “chapel,” the place of
worship.
As a child of God, we
have God’s name upon us, which covers our needs. Covered by the cloak of the atoning blood
of the blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior for salvation, Covered
by the cloak of God’s grace and love, and covered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God bless the Chaplain.
In Christ, Brian
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