Monday 17 November 2025

St Hugh of Lincoln was a man the world could never quite understand.
He was a bishop — yet he lived like a monk.
He walked with kings — yet he feared only God.
He reformed a diocese, rebuilt a cathedral, defended the poor, and still had time to feed the sick with his own hands.

He was great, not because of power, but because of purity.
He ruled a kingdom, but knelt like a servant.
He was bold in truth and gentle in mercy — the rare combination that makes a saint.

St Peter begins our first reading with words that could describe Hugh’s heart:

“All of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind.”

That’s the blueprint of holiness.
Peter doesn’t say, “Dominate others,” but “be humble.”
He doesn’t say, “Win arguments,” but “seek peace.”

And then the apostle adds a line that pierces pride:

“Do not repay evil for evil… but on the contrary, bless.”

That’s hard — but that’s Christian.
St Hugh lived it.
He had fierce enemies: nobles who stole Church lands, kings who taxed the poor.
He stood his ground — but never with bitterness.
He fought injustice, but without hatred.
He knew that truth without charity is cruelty, and charity without truth is cowardice.

That’s why people listened when he spoke.
Because holiness makes authority believable.

In the Gospel, the apostles are arguing again:

“Which of us is the greatest?”

And Jesus cuts through the noise:

“The greatest among you must be like the youngest,
the leader like the servant.”

That’s not just advice; it’s a revolution.
In the world, greatness means control.
In the Kingdom, greatness means service.

St Hugh believed that.
He wore a bishop’s mitre, but under it was a monk’s tonsure.
He ruled Lincoln, but his heart still belonged to the Charterhouse.
He would wash the feet of lepers before dining with nobles.
And when kings tried to sway him, he bowed only to Christ.

He understood that real authority is rooted in humility.
If you want to lead, you must kneel first.

One of the stories told about Hugh is that he once rebuked King Henry II to his face — and the king, who terrified everyone else, laughed and said, “You are the only man who dares to tell me the truth.”

Why? Because Hugh’s courage wasn’t pride — it was love.
He wanted the king’s soul more than his favour.

That’s what saints do: they love enough to tell the truth.
They don’t flatter power; they sanctify it.
They don’t abandon the world; they call it home to God.

We need that spirit again.
Not bishops afraid to offend, not Christians hiding faith under politeness,
but men and women like Hugh — humble, fearless, faithful.

St Hugh rebuilt Lincoln Cathedral —
but more importantly, he built a living cathedral in his people.
Every time he heard a confession, comforted a widow, or reconciled enemies,
another stone was laid.

That’s what the Church is meant to be:
a house of mercy, built of living stones — us.
A parish isn’t strong because of its walls,
but because of its saints.

If we live as Hugh lived — loving, forgiving, persevering —
then Lincoln’s faith lives on in Wigston, Aylestone, Leicester, Nottingham —
wherever people still say, “Christ first, self last, others always.”

Peter ends with the reason for it all:

“Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
that you should follow in His steps.”

That’s the pattern Hugh followed.
He kept his eyes on the Cross — the throne of the true King.
There he learned how to lead by serving,
how to rule by loving,
how to conquer by forgiving.

That’s why we honour him — not for the stones he raised,
but for the souls he raised to heaven.

So what does St Hugh say to us today?

He says:

Be builders of peace in a divided world.

Be bold for truth in an age of compromise.

Be humble in heart, because pride builds kingdoms that crumble; humility builds the Kingdom that lasts.

We are his children — the Diocese that bears his name.
Let’s carry his spirit into our time:
a spirit of fidelity to the Church,
of compassion for the poor,
and of fearless love for Christ.

The world honours power;
the Church honours holiness.
The world crowns the proud;
Christ crowns the humble.

May St Hugh teach us again the only greatness that matters:
to kneel before Christ,
to serve one another,
and to build a cathedral of faith wherever we stand.