Day 21 – Saint John Wycliffe (c. 1328–1384)

Saint John Wycliffe was born in Yorkshire, England, and studied at Oxford, where he became one of the leading scholars of his day. Living in a time of political turmoil and corruption in the church, Wycliffe grew convinced that the ultimate authority for Christians must be the Word of God, not the traditions or decrees of men.

He boldly taught that Scripture should be available to all people in their own language. To that end, he and his followers began translating the Bible into English, making it possible for ordinary believers to read God’s Word for themselves. This was revolutionary in a time when Latin was the language of church and scholarship. Wycliffe also challenged abuses of church power, rejecting the idea that wealth or office made someone holy. For him, true authority flowed from faithfulness to Christ and His Word.

Though condemned by church leaders, Wycliffe continued to write and teach until his death in 1384. His followers, known as Lollards, carried on his mission, spreading Scripture and calling for reform. Long after his death, the Council of Constance declared him a heretic and even ordered his bones to be dug up and burned. Yet his witness could not be silenced — his work prepared the way for the Reformation that would soon shake Europe.

For us today, Saint John Wycliffe reminds us of the power of God’s Word to renew the church and transform lives. He challenges us not to take for granted the gift of Scripture in our own language, but to read it, love it, and let it shape us. His courage calls us to hold firmly to the authority of God’s truth, even when it runs against the grain of culture or power.