Once chancellor to King Henry II, he opposed the king after becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in order to defend the freedom of the Church. He was murdered by the king's knights in his cathedral, and his tomb became England's greatest pilgrimage site.
Life
Saint Thomas Becket was born around 1120 to a merchant family in London. He showed his abilities serving the Archbishop of Canterbury, won the trust of King Henry II and became Lord Chancellor, living in great splendor.
In 1162, at the king's wish, he became Archbishop of Canterbury, but from then on he turned to a life of prayer and self-denial and stood against the king to defend the freedom of the Church. After several years of exile in France he returned, and on December 29, 1170, he was murdered by the king's knights in Canterbury Cathedral. Pope Alexander III canonized him in 1173, and his tomb became one of Europe's great pilgrimage sites.
Spirituality
Thomas Becket's spirituality is a deep conversion that took place within the office entrusted to him. He rose as the king's friend, but once archbishop he put fidelity to God and the Church above all else. To the moment of his death he gave himself up for the Church.
Reflection
Thomas Becket was the king's friend, yet he accepted losing that friendship to remain faithful to God. Between human approval and fidelity to God, which do I choose first?