Welcome to the opening matchup of Lent Madness 2020! If you're a veteran of the Saintly Smackdown, we're delighted you're back for another
year of saintly thrills and spills. If you're joining us for the first time, we're especially glad you're along for this wild penitential ride. If you're curious about what this all entails, check out the About Lent Madness tab on the website.
To experience the fullness of the Lent Madness experience, the Supreme Executive Committee (the somewhat benevolent dictatorship that runs this whole enterprise) encourages you to do several things. First, like Lent Madness on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter. Second, subscribe to the Lent Madness e-mails so you never miss a vote -- you'll get each matchup hand-delivered to your inbox on the weekdays of Lent. You can do this by going to the home page of our website and entering your e-mail address (near the top right). Third, you can support the ministry of Lent Madness by heading over to the Lentorium and purchasing Lent Madness swag, thereby impressing everyone on your block. Or at least in your pew.
But mostly, we encourage you to read about the 32 saints participating in this year’s edition of Lent Madness, faithfully cast your (single!) vote on the weekdays of Lent, and add your comments to the great cloud of participating witnesses that gathers as the online Lent Madness community each year. If you're wondering when your favorite saint will be competing - in order to rally your friends and neighbors (creative campaigning is encouraged, voter fraud is not) - you can check out the 2020 Matchup Calendar.
Things kick off with an early 16th century Anglican facing off against a Biblical character as Thomas More clashes with James the Less. We hope you enjoy reading about these two saintly souls, more or less, before casting your very first vote of Lent Madness 2020! We're glad you're all here. Now get to it!
Thomas More
Of all the characters of the English Reformation, few are as remarkable as Sir Thomas More. He was considered a scold yet also a man of quick wit, at once both politically astute and obstinate, and a man who was behind his time even as he lived ahead of it.
Born in 1478, Thomas became a barrister in 1502 and was elected to Parliament in 1504. For a time, Thomas debated becoming a Franciscan or a priest — and ultimately chose neither, pursuing marriage and a legal career instead. While known for his strict piety, including the wearing of a hair shirt, and the daily recitation of the Offices, Thomas delighted in life in London and was eager to engage in argument and debate.
Thomas’s intellect, honesty, and loyalty to his family and king brought him into the service of Henry VIII. During this time, Thomas wrote Utopia, a political essay envisioning an ideal community in which there is no private property, universal religious toleration, and free education for men and women alike.
Thomas was a devoted husband and father, committed to the education of his wife and four daughters to a level far exceeding the standard education of women during that time; his dedication to this task was often noted by his contemporaries.
In 1529, Thomas became Lord Chancellor of England. Thomas was strident in his opposition to the Protestant Reformation, and his support in joining Henry VIII’s attack on Martin Luther earned him the title “defender of the faith” by the Pope. As Henry moved to assert his power as king over the Church in England, Thomas, dedicated to the Roman Church, found himself in opposition to the king he loved. He resigned as chancellor in 1532. When Thomas later refused to take an oath swearing that Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn was true and valid (after the divorce from Catharine of Aragon), he was thrown into the Tower of London. At trial, Thomas defended himself as being true to the church over any king. He was condemned to die and executed in 1535. His final words were that he died for the faith of the Church and was “the king’s good servant, but God’s first.”
Collect for Thomas More
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Thomas More triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember him in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
James the Less
Who was James the Less? Well, it depends on whom you ask. This is because the gospels are replete with Jameses. There’s James the son of Zebedee, James the son of Alpheus, as well as James the brother of Jesus. The confusion is further compounded because the gospel writers don’t always distinguish which James they’re referring to in a passage and the Gospel of Mark only refers to “James the Less” in one passage (Mark 15:40).
Some Roman Catholics believe James the Less refers to James the brother of Jesus, while Anglicans consider James the Less as James the son of Alpheus. Even if we blithely assume the Anglicans are right in saying that James the Less is, indeed, James the son of Alpheus, this biography almost comes to a full stop. The truth is, we know very little about this apostle. Yet perhaps what we know is important enough. James the son of Alpheus was most certainly an apostle as three of the gospels include him in their lists (Mark 3:18; Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:12-16) — and he is also present in a room that is full of apostles in Acts 1:13. Beyond this, however, there’s not much more to go on.
Of course, this has never stopped the wider church from filling in the gaps — as you’ll see, neither will it stop me. Some legends hold that James the son of Alpheaus lived to ninety-six years old and died by crucifixion at the hands of the Jewish authorities in Ostrakine in lower Egypt. His body was then sawed in half. This is dubious for many reasons, including the fact that crucifixion was a favorite execution method of Roman, rather than Jewish, authorities.
But since I’m already giving space to dubious claims, I want to offer a new one, entirely of my own creation, and equally bereft of any evidence. In Mexican Spanish, we add a diminutive to people we feel an incredible amount of affection for, to those we love and adore. Mexican Spanish contrasts with America’s obsession with “bigger is better” by linguistically shrinking everyone we love to make them cuter and sweeter and more adorable still. I’d love to believe that “the less” is, in fact, a diminutive rooted in affection. If so, then Mark 15:40 is talking about James the little guy, James the adorable apostle, James the cherished one. Which James, exactly, this passage refers to remains a mystery, but to my mind that’s still a James worth voting for.
Collect for James the Less
Almighty God, who gave to your apostle James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of his victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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311 comments on “Thomas More vs. James the Less”
As others have stated, I can't support the burning of people.
Does James win if he gets less than More?
Despite the clever "More or Less" humor, I find today's choice rather unsettling. A man steeped in politics, and a man whose very identity is unknown. I'm looking forward to future matchups.
I agree with you.
The Sunday School at St. Raphael (Lexington KY) are learning about the saints). They voted for Thomas Moore. As Kate Melton said, “He loved Jesus more than the King.”
In the battle of More vs. Less had to go with More. Lotta Jameses running around the Gospels, but not that many men had the courage to stand up to Henry VIII.
For those of you who want politics left out of Lent Madness, alas, you are faced straight out of the gates with Thomas More, who resisted a despot. Sad. And he seems to be winning. Although he lost. The lesson of More appears to be that careful, moderate parsing of positions, such as "the king's good servant, but God's first," will only enrage autocrats who put self and power first and do not acknowledge God. The collect for compline reminds us: "Be sober, be watchful; Satan your adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking souls to devour." Ignoring destructive power relations and pretending that not talking about evil is "the high road" is not a Christian stance. Myself I voted for Jamesito because I was absolutely charmed by Miguel's brilliant if desperate nominal exegesis. I am willing to buy the argument of the heart here in Lent. Our homily for the Ash Wednesday service last night was a reading of Jan Richardson's poem "Rend your Heart." It begins: "To receive this blessing, / all you have to do / is let your heart break." Always in Lent Madness we debate the virtues of the activist saints versus the contemplative saints. It seems that in this little band of pilgrims the "deacon" types always win. But this year I want to insist on the primacy, in the face of false power, of the mystical, the reflective, the prayerful, NOT as a form of quiescence or fearful "rising above it all" but as a form of deep faith and union with the beloved. Or as Nadia Bolz-Weber would put it (or possibly Rumi if he was very drunk indeed), I'm going to let the Boyfriend get all up into my [deleted]. Blessings to all of you on this first morning just out of the gates on the road to Canterbury. The wise virgins among you will have had your horse shod before departure. This road is not without its rough spots, both high and low.
Touché. You know I'm with you on this!
Amen! Bless your heart ❤️
Ah, St. Celia, I wish I could write like you! Beautifully (and precisely) said, as always. Nice to see some familiar names already in the comments. I will do my best to trod this road carefully over the next forty days.
Brilliant!!
This is why I love Lent Madness - hearing from voices such as yours.
I have been reading a lot about Henry VIII and his bloody and cruel reign. So Thomas More held to his belief that the marriage to Anne Boleyn was indeed wrong, especially since Henry had his first wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon removed as queen to live out her life lonely and destitute after 16 years of marriage to the beast. I vote for More who had the courage to stand up to him and get slaughtered for it. I know a great deal of nasty killings went on during the reformation on both sides
Thomas More is my 13x great grandfather and so, of course, I am rooting for the captain of the "home team"! GO MORE!
Thomas was advocating free education in 1528. Amazing.
"Defender of the Faith" got my vote this time
JAMES THE LESS!!!!!!
I cheer the Mores in our midst and pray for more. He gets my vote today.
The battle prompted a reading of Mark Ch. 15 to learn more about James the Less. I followed that up with more research of Thomas More, which made me rethink my vote for him after hearing about some of his rulings as Chancellor. That being said my devotion with the Gospel reading was the reflection I needed today more than these 2 saints, as I reflect on the mercy given by Christ.
Although I do like your version of the meaning of “the Less” if only more would do likewise
One of the biggest Catholic names in history ooooor a guy who could be any number of guys, we don't really know...
Can't vote for More. First, it's just downright hypocritical to have him on our calendar. Second, he did burn those Christians whom he considered heretics. Stood and watched them burn. But he was given a quick death. A Man for All (Burning) Seasons he was.
I think that Thomas More's political beliefs and faith are on point for today where our loyalty isn't to a person but to the Divine. I appreciate the humor as well!!!
Tough choice! I feel kind of sorry for James the Less because so little is known about him. On the other hand, Thomas More’s choice of faith over life is admirable. On the other other hand, James the Less was an apostle!
Several people were burned at the stake while More was chancellor. But this had been the standard punishment for heresy for over a century. More isn’t going to lose my vote for failing to overturn the law; I don’t even know if he had that power.
So I’m still up in the air. I’ll keep reading more comments as they come in before I make up my mind.
Me, too, Beth. This is harder than it should be!
Definitely a creative bio of James the Less, and almost worth my vote. But Less is More, right?
Little James the Less gets my vote for all the reasons listed above. Thank you Miguel for that insight.
Such good analysis and argumentation already! Remember it is "More," but probably pronounced moor.
This year's Living Compass "Living Well Through Lent" resource focuses on practicing courage - with heart, soul, strength, and mind. Thomas Moore stood up to a despotic leader with courage and determination, certainly a lesson for all seasons.
A choice between someone who is known with all his strengths and weaknesses, and someone only known as a name in a story. It sounds odd even to me, but I voted for James the Less because I have always felt kindred to all the unknown people of the world who have lived out their lives and faith in obscurity and who were known only in their own time and place - and to God.
I voted for Thomas, but I want to click "Like" on your perspective on living out lives and faith in obscurity. Too bad we only have 32 slots in Lent Madness -- it would be great if we could learn about and recognize ALL the saints.
I did not know that. Thanks!
If we stick with Lent Madness long enough, perhaps we will get to all the Saints.
“ I have always felt kindred to all the unknown people of the world who have lived out their lives and faith in obscurity and who were known only in their own time and place – and to God.“
This. This is why I have learned to read the comments before voting. I’m voting for James.
Same here! James gets my vote.
Why have James the Less if you’re not sure who he is or what he did? Doesn’t make sense if you’re comparing two people.
Yes, but who could resist pairing More with Less?
Maybe he stands for all of the unknown unsung people who loved and served God with all their heart and ability?
(plus the play on More or Less really is hard to pass up...)
Wish we had more Mores today who were , in the end, willing to stand up to tyrants and demigods.
Hmm, sounds like a reference to a certain political body that is too fearful of standing up to a wantabee dictator. I keep waiting for the child who will lead them to exclaim"The Emperor has no clothes!"
My son is a James so it was an easy choice.
This match-up should be a no-brainer.
On one side, you have a guy whose biography begins "Who actually was this goy"?
On the other side, you have the only person in this whole contest who was portrayed favorably in an Oscar-winning film for Best Picture. And by Paul Scofield no less, enough said.
Some here raise question here about some questionable things More did, to which I say, "It's not like he was some kind of saint or something"
Oh wait...
As someone whose day job is as historian of England in the 16th and 17th centuries, More is an easy pick. He was a complicated man, with characteristics we admire and those we condemn. But then, so are most of us. If you believe strongly in something, intolerance may reflect faithfulness. I’m intolerant of those who are sure they are right!
One minor (or given the theme for the day, lesser) historical error in More’s bio: it is Henry, not More, who gets the title “defender of the faith”.
Thought so
Voted for Thomas More because he stood up to a powerful bully of a king.
I didn't like either of these choices. It's hard to vote for someone when you don't know who you're voting for. So I voted for Thomas More, hoping he will lose in the second round.