A non-violent solution to robbery

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	St. John of Kanty When: 1390-1473 Where: Poland What: Priest, pastor, teacher Feast: Dec. 23 Canonized: 1767 Patron: Poland and Lithuania

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the crowd that, if someone slapped them on the right cheek, they should offer their left one too; if someone asked for their shirt, they should hand over their coat too; if someone in authority asked them to walk one mile, they should go two miles (Mt 5:39-41).

St. John of Kanty knew and heeded those words. It's said that one day robbers demanded all his money. He not only gave it to them, as they fled, he found more coins and ran after them to give them those too. They were so astounded that they gave it all back.

Who was this generous victim of crime? John Cantius was born at Kanty, Poland. He was ordained a priest after studying at the University of Krakow, where he then taught theology.

He became widely known as a preacher. But, as sometimes happens, jealous colleagues forced him to resign after trumping up a false charge and not allowing him to defend himself. Next, he was pastor at Olkusz, where his parishioners did not like him. Plus, he was overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for their souls.

Still, he stayed there several years, winning over many before he was allowed to return to Krakow, where he taught Scripture until his death. When he left Olkusz to return to Krakow several parishioners followed him, begging him to stay.

For years after his death, students receiving advanced degrees from the University of Krakow wore his gown.

When word of his impending death spread, he told mourners, "Never mind about this prison, which is decaying, but think of the soul that is going to leave it."

John was known for scholarship, his concern for the poor - with whom he shared his belongings and money - and his austere life, which included sleeping on the floor, not eating meat and four times walking to Rome carrying his own bags. He also made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and said he hoped Turks would kill him en route.

Early on, he was advised to take better care of himself, to which he replied that the desert fathers lived long lives despite their harsh existence. It worked for him too - he lived to be 83.

His personal philosophy, which he taught his students, probably helped: "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause."

And what of his chasing down thieves to give them still more money and their subsequent repentance? That may not have been the intention of Jesus' message, but it certainly proves that strange things can happen when we live the Gospel.