1 00:00:03,390 --> 00:00:06,909 Speaker 1: Cremona, Italy, 1162 AD. 2 00:00:07,829 --> 00:00:12,228 Speaker 1: 8 years have passed since his father's death. Homobonus remembers 3 00:00:12,228 --> 00:00:15,670 Speaker 1: the two solemn promises he made to serve the poor 4 00:00:15,670 --> 00:00:18,809 Speaker 1: through his business and to marry a woman who loved 5 00:00:18,809 --> 00:00:21,540 Speaker 1: him for himself, not for his wealth. 6 00:00:22,590 --> 00:00:26,629 Speaker 1: Now, married to the beautiful Isabella, can Homobonus find a 7 00:00:26,629 --> 00:00:29,870 Speaker 1: way to serve the poor and save his marriage? 8 00:00:36,380 --> 00:00:43,709 Speaker 2: The Saints, Adventures of faith and courage. Saint Homobonus. Episode 3, 9 00:00:44,130 --> 00:00:47,409 Speaker 2: the father of the poor. Listen to all the episodes 10 00:00:47,409 --> 00:00:50,520 Speaker 2: and discover new shows at the Saintspodcast.com. 11 00:00:57,650 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 2: Would you like something else for breakfast, Master Homobonus? No, Leonardo, 12 00:01:02,169 --> 00:01:02,580 Speaker 2: thank you. 13 00:01:03,549 --> 00:01:06,470 Speaker 2: Could you please ask Darrio to prepare my horse? I 14 00:01:06,470 --> 00:01:09,029 Speaker 2: want to be at the cathedral before morning mass. Yes, 15 00:01:09,230 --> 00:01:10,190 Speaker 2: Master Homobonus. 16 00:01:11,650 --> 00:01:15,849 Speaker 2: Master, forgive me if I'm being disrespectful, but do you 17 00:01:15,849 --> 00:01:18,639 Speaker 2: know if the nobles have approved the new tax law? 18 00:01:19,860 --> 00:01:23,230 Speaker 2: Yes, it has been approved. Oh. 19 00:01:24,099 --> 00:01:27,419 Speaker 2: We must prepare for the upcoming riots in that case. 20 00:01:27,739 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 2: That's exactly why I want to be at the cathedral 21 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,098 Speaker 2: before morning mass. 22 00:01:32,260 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 2: Only our Lord can protect us. 23 00:01:34,709 --> 00:01:36,470 Speaker 2: Now make sure your horse is ready, master. 24 00:01:37,819 --> 00:01:41,860 Speaker 2: Homobonus, we need to talk. Good morning, my love. I'm 25 00:01:41,860 --> 00:01:45,540 Speaker 2: not sure it's a good morning. What's the matter? I've 26 00:01:45,540 --> 00:01:48,980 Speaker 2: just received word that you've offered our summer villa to 27 00:01:48,980 --> 00:01:52,019 Speaker 2: be used as a hospital for the poor. We barely 28 00:01:52,019 --> 00:01:54,779 Speaker 2: go there, my dear, and Doctor Giovanni needs the space 29 00:01:54,779 --> 00:01:57,860 Speaker 2: to tend those suffering in the countryside. But I was 30 00:01:57,860 --> 00:02:00,419 Speaker 2: planning to host a banquet for the Merchants Guild there 31 00:02:00,419 --> 00:02:01,250 Speaker 2: next month. 32 00:02:01,610 --> 00:02:04,110 Speaker 2: I imagine you had your heart set on the event. 33 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 2: More than that. This was an opportunity for you. The 34 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,479 Speaker 2: guilt isn't just a gathering of merchants. It controls trade 35 00:02:11,479 --> 00:02:13,830 Speaker 2: in the city. If they accept you as a member, 36 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: it means protection, influence, and access to the best markets. 37 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 2: It could secure our future. What am I to tell 38 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,198 Speaker 2: them now? They'll make me a member of the guild 39 00:02:24,199 --> 00:02:28,038 Speaker 2: when the time is right. God will open doors, Isabella. 40 00:02:29,500 --> 00:02:32,679 Speaker 2: First, you refuse to replace our outdated carriage because, and 41 00:02:32,679 --> 00:02:36,508 Speaker 2: I quote, it still works, Isabella, and let's not forget 42 00:02:36,508 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 2: how you practically gave away those silk shipments to that 43 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 2: widow and her daughters at half their worth, my dear, 44 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:46,399 Speaker 2: that widow's husband was a loyal customer for 20 years 45 00:02:46,399 --> 00:02:48,959 Speaker 2: before God called him home. It was the right thing 46 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:49,529 Speaker 2: to do. 47 00:02:51,179 --> 00:02:55,380 Speaker 2: I understand charity Homobonus. It's good to help others, but 48 00:02:55,380 --> 00:02:58,850 Speaker 2: not at the expense of our own comfort and standing. 49 00:02:59,380 --> 00:03:02,609 Speaker 2: It's one thing to give alms, it's another to reduce 50 00:03:02,610 --> 00:03:03,698 Speaker 2: ourselves to beggary. 51 00:03:04,679 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 2: When we give to others, we receive God's mercy and blessings. 52 00:03:10,050 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 2: That yields the best spiritual interest. 53 00:03:13,538 --> 00:03:17,149 Speaker 2: Donors benefit from giving as much or more than the recipients. 54 00:03:18,350 --> 00:03:20,829 Speaker 2: If God truly rewards such generosity. 55 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:24,288 Speaker 2: Then why has he not blessed us with children? 56 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:30,250 Speaker 2: 7 years, Homobonus, 7 years of marriage, and still our 57 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:32,169 Speaker 2: home lacks the sound of little feet. 58 00:03:34,759 --> 00:03:37,550 Speaker 2: God will give us children at the right time. 59 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 2: And what if that time never comes? What then Homobonus? 60 00:03:43,929 --> 00:03:46,289 Speaker 2: Will your excessive generosity have been worth it? 61 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:02,940 Speaker 2: Lord, I come before you today with a heavy heart. 62 00:04:04,309 --> 00:04:07,148 Speaker 2: The tensions in our city between the merchants and the nobles. 63 00:04:07,809 --> 00:04:12,479 Speaker 2: They threatened to erupt into violence once more. I pray 64 00:04:12,479 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: for your protection for all the people of Cremona. 65 00:04:17,910 --> 00:04:20,059 Speaker 2: I also pray for guidance in my business. 66 00:04:21,218 --> 00:04:24,049 Speaker 2: That I may use it wisely to honor your will 67 00:04:24,049 --> 00:04:26,648 Speaker 2: and to help those in need, as my father taught me. 68 00:04:29,899 --> 00:04:30,450 Speaker 2: And 69 00:04:31,260 --> 00:04:34,769 Speaker 2: I pray for wisdom and patience in my marriage. 70 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,099 Speaker 2: Isabella and I 71 00:04:39,079 --> 00:04:40,350 Speaker 2: We see the world 72 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:42,229 Speaker 2: Differently 73 00:04:43,890 --> 00:04:45,799 Speaker 2: I struggle to understand her. 74 00:04:47,589 --> 00:04:50,059 Speaker 2: I fear I'm failing to be the husband she deserves. 75 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,420 Speaker 2: Show me how to bridge the divide between my wife's 76 00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:59,149 Speaker 2: expectations and my duty to serve you through serving the poor. 77 00:05:00,769 --> 00:05:02,190 Speaker 2: And if it be your will 78 00:05:04,079 --> 00:05:05,519 Speaker 2: Bless us with a child. 79 00:05:07,850 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 2: Guide me, Lord. 80 00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: To be a good husband 81 00:05:11,730 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: And a steward of those around me. 82 00:05:25,649 --> 00:05:31,159 Speaker 2: Hey, stop that boy. Hold there, young man. Please let 83 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:36,799 Speaker 2: me go. Return what you have taken. There's the little thief. Gods, 84 00:05:37,119 --> 00:05:39,289 Speaker 2: County Rossi, please allow me to handle this. 85 00:05:40,109 --> 00:05:42,899 Speaker 2: You know this boy. I know that theft is often 86 00:05:42,899 --> 00:05:44,950 Speaker 2: born of desperation, not evil. 87 00:05:45,928 --> 00:05:51,589 Speaker 2: Child, what's your name? Menakus. Why did you steal from 88 00:05:51,589 --> 00:05:52,630 Speaker 2: the Count Menakus? 89 00:05:53,779 --> 00:05:59,179 Speaker 2: My, my sisters, they haven't eaten since yesterday. I, I 90 00:05:59,178 --> 00:06:02,649 Speaker 2: take care of them since Mother died. Father never came 91 00:06:02,649 --> 00:06:07,519 Speaker 2: back from the crusades. Oh, what a poor boy. Counter Rossi, 92 00:06:08,019 --> 00:06:11,260 Speaker 2: would you accept compensation for what was taken and perhaps 93 00:06:11,260 --> 00:06:13,019 Speaker 2: show mercy to one so young. 94 00:06:14,390 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 2: What are you suggesting? 95 00:06:17,170 --> 00:06:20,079 Speaker 2: Menakus, give back what you took. 96 00:06:21,738 --> 00:06:25,738 Speaker 2: Now apologize to the count. I, I am sorry. 97 00:06:27,160 --> 00:06:31,238 Speaker 2: Count Errosi, in gratitude for your mercy, allow me to give 98 00:06:31,238 --> 00:06:34,799 Speaker 2: one of our finest silks for a new cloak. I'll 99 00:06:34,799 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 2: ensure we send it to your house. Very well, but 100 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,709 Speaker 2: keep that boy away from me. 101 00:06:45,589 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 2: Now Menakas. 102 00:06:47,850 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: How many sisters do you have? 2. Elena is 8 103 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:56,489 Speaker 2: and Maria is 6. And where do you live? In 104 00:06:56,488 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 2: the old Tanner's district, sir, and the abandoned workshop. 105 00:07:01,529 --> 00:07:02,799 Speaker 2: Would you like honest work? 106 00:07:03,488 --> 00:07:08,209 Speaker 2: I need help in my shop, tending customers, running errands, 107 00:07:08,399 --> 00:07:09,399 Speaker 2: keeping things tidy. 108 00:07:10,149 --> 00:07:13,750 Speaker 2: You, you trust me after what I just did? 109 00:07:14,730 --> 00:07:17,609 Speaker 2: God offers us all second chances, Menakas. 110 00:07:19,010 --> 00:07:21,329 Speaker 2: Sometimes we just need someone to believe in us first. 111 00:07:22,950 --> 00:07:23,339 Speaker 2: Come. 112 00:07:24,209 --> 00:07:25,299 Speaker 2: Let's talk to your sisters. 113 00:07:25,980 --> 00:07:28,299 Speaker 2: They can stay with Sister Agnes at the monastery while 114 00:07:28,299 --> 00:07:32,820 Speaker 2: you work. Thank you. I, I won't disappoint you. 115 00:07:33,579 --> 00:07:34,929 Speaker 2: I know you want Menakas. 116 00:07:36,239 --> 00:07:37,149 Speaker 2: I know you won't. 117 00:07:43,529 --> 00:07:43,570 Speaker 2: They 118 00:07:44,679 --> 00:07:45,518 Speaker 2: In the globe 119 00:07:46,420 --> 00:07:51,910 Speaker 2: Welcome senora. May I help you? Isabella? What a pleasant surprise. 120 00:07:52,679 --> 00:07:55,670 Speaker 2: I need to speak to you in private. 121 00:07:56,549 --> 00:07:58,750 Speaker 2: Of course, come this way. 122 00:08:01,739 --> 00:08:05,410 Speaker 2: What's the matter? Homobonus, there are rumors in the market. 123 00:08:05,540 --> 00:08:08,709 Speaker 2: They say you've hired a thief to work in our shop. Ah, 124 00:08:09,339 --> 00:08:13,899 Speaker 2: you mean Menakas? Yes, he's been quite helpful these past days. Oh, 125 00:08:14,019 --> 00:08:17,458 Speaker 2: so it's true. Have you lost your mind? That boy 126 00:08:17,459 --> 00:08:22,049 Speaker 2: will rob us blind. He's already proven himself trustworthy. Just yesterday, 127 00:08:22,059 --> 00:08:26,299 Speaker 2: he returned a nobleman's overpayment without hesitation. Ah. 128 00:08:27,049 --> 00:08:30,690 Speaker 2: One good deed doesn't embrace what he is. You can't 129 00:08:30,690 --> 00:08:33,450 Speaker 2: trust a thief. The boy needs a chance to be 130 00:08:33,450 --> 00:08:37,130 Speaker 2: something different. He has two young sisters. They were starving. 131 00:08:38,090 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 2: My cousin Enrico warned me about this. He said, your 132 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:45,609 Speaker 2: excessive charity would be your undoing. First, the poor, then widows, 133 00:08:45,690 --> 00:08:49,840 Speaker 2: now thieves. People will take advantage of your kind heart, Homobonus. 134 00:08:49,969 --> 00:08:53,010 Speaker 2: I prefer to believe in the best in people, Isabella. 135 00:08:53,719 --> 00:08:55,239 Speaker 2: Even those who have made mistakes. 136 00:08:56,799 --> 00:09:00,669 Speaker 2: You're a good man, Homobonus, too good, perhaps. 137 00:09:01,530 --> 00:09:04,099 Speaker 2: I pray your generosity won't be our ruin. 138 00:09:07,750 --> 00:09:10,349 Speaker 2: Master Homobonus, yes, Menakas. 139 00:09:11,409 --> 00:09:16,010 Speaker 2: I've been thinking other silk and wool merchants charge much 140 00:09:16,010 --> 00:09:19,690 Speaker 2: more than we do if we raised our prices just 141 00:09:19,690 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 2: a little. Go on, we could make twice the profit. 142 00:09:25,809 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 2: Everyone else does it. The nobles would hardly notice. 143 00:09:30,659 --> 00:09:31,780 Speaker 2: Come with me, Menakas. 144 00:09:32,460 --> 00:09:35,539 Speaker 2: I want to show you something. Where are we going? 145 00:09:35,750 --> 00:09:36,390 Speaker 2: To the market? 146 00:09:37,150 --> 00:09:38,250 Speaker 2: We need bread 147 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 2: Why did we purchase so many loaves? 148 00:09:44,510 --> 00:09:45,500 Speaker 2: You'll see. 149 00:09:49,890 --> 00:09:58,049 Speaker 2: The beggar's corner. Here's bread for all. Come. Thank you. 150 00:10:00,409 --> 00:10:04,289 Speaker 2: Did you know about Saint Martin of Tours, Menakas? No, sir. 151 00:10:05,260 --> 00:10:06,690 Speaker 2: He was a Roman soldier. 152 00:10:07,919 --> 00:10:11,520 Speaker 2: One cold winter day he saw a beggar freezing by 153 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 2: the city gates. 154 00:10:13,340 --> 00:10:16,690 Speaker 2: Without hesitation he drew his sword. 155 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 2: Cut his own cloak in half and gave it to 156 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:24,709 Speaker 2: the beggar. Half his cloak, yes. 157 00:10:25,719 --> 00:10:31,109 Speaker 2: That night he had a dream. Christ appeared to him 158 00:10:31,539 --> 00:10:36,330 Speaker 2: wearing that same half cloak, saying Martin clothed me with 159 00:10:36,330 --> 00:10:37,059 Speaker 2: this garment. 160 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:41,469 Speaker 2: My father taught me something important about business. 161 00:10:42,380 --> 00:10:45,098 Speaker 2: Would you like to know what it was? Yes, master. 162 00:10:46,169 --> 00:10:50,989 Speaker 2: He said, no prophet is worth hurting our relationship with God. 163 00:10:51,919 --> 00:10:57,348 Speaker 2: Business, honest business can bring people together. 164 00:10:58,289 --> 00:11:02,289 Speaker 2: Something that we need in Cremona. But don't we need 165 00:11:02,289 --> 00:11:05,359 Speaker 2: profit to survive? The fair profit, yes. 166 00:11:06,030 --> 00:11:09,539 Speaker 2: But not at the expense of others' suffering. We can 167 00:11:09,539 --> 00:11:13,809 Speaker 2: share what we have and recognize that every customer, every supplier, 168 00:11:14,179 --> 00:11:17,020 Speaker 2: every partner is our brother or sister in Christ. 169 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:21,079 Speaker 2: That's how businesses help to build a better community. 170 00:11:22,099 --> 00:11:25,020 Speaker 2: And when we help others, especially the poor, 171 00:11:25,840 --> 00:11:27,359 Speaker 2: We are loving Christ. 172 00:11:29,049 --> 00:11:32,989 Speaker 2: What you do unto these least ones, you do unto me. Remember? 173 00:11:34,130 --> 00:11:37,319 Speaker 2: You know what the nuns at the monastery call you master? 174 00:11:37,809 --> 00:11:53,150 Speaker 2: What's that? Father of the poor. Hands down. We have 175 00:11:53,150 --> 00:11:54,689 Speaker 2: had enough. You low born mungus. Look, you nobles bleed 176 00:11:54,690 --> 00:11:59,799 Speaker 2: us dry. How dare you speak to us that way, Master, 177 00:12:00,169 --> 00:12:03,690 Speaker 2: we should go. Go back to the shopman offices now. 178 00:12:05,609 --> 00:12:06,770 Speaker 2: Help me, help me. 179 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:14,179 Speaker 2: Merchants forget your place. 180 00:12:16,739 --> 00:12:21,849 Speaker 2: Now stop in God's name. Stop. See how the nobles 181 00:12:21,849 --> 00:12:25,789 Speaker 2: treat us Homobonus. We have to fight them, brothers. We 182 00:12:25,789 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 2: are all children of God. Put your swords down, Homobonus. 183 00:12:29,369 --> 00:12:33,840 Speaker 2: You dare interfere, Enrico, please think of the innocent people. 184 00:12:34,049 --> 00:12:39,280 Speaker 2: Move aside now, or my sword will forget you are 185 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:42,969 Speaker 2: my cousin's husband. I will not move. 186 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:45,859 Speaker 2: Then you've made your choice. 187 00:12:55,869 --> 00:12:59,099 Speaker 2: This is Peter Atkinson from the Merry Bakers. Tune in 188 00:12:59,099 --> 00:13:02,260 Speaker 2: to episode 4, The Wise Merchant, to hear the next 189 00:13:02,260 --> 00:13:06,260 Speaker 2: installment of Saint Homobonus. Listen to all the episodes and 190 00:13:06,260 --> 00:13:09,409 Speaker 2: discover new shows at the saints podcast.com. 191 00:13:14,729 --> 00:13:18,260 Speaker 1: The Mary Bakers is the entertainment division of Relevant Radio.