Philippians 3.8-14; Psalm 1; Matthew 5.13-16
David (c.500-c.589) was probably born at Henfynyw, the son of St Non and the grandson of Ceredig ap Cunedda, king of Ceredigion. At the Synod of Brefi, around 550, his vigorous preaching against Pelagianism (the heretical teaching of Pelagius and his followers that stressed the essential goodness of human beings and the freedom of the human will; Pelagianism was opposed by St Augustine of Hippo who insisted, with St Paul, that sin has so weakened our wills as to make it impossible for us to please God) led to his election by acclamation as Bishop of the region of Mwnyw, now known as St David’s. He is said to have founded ten monasteries, among them Menevia and Glastonbury, where he insisted on the observance of extreme forms of asceticism. He is said to have travelled as far as Brittany and Cornwall. Stories of his miracles were well known throughout the Middle Ages. His motto “Do the little things well” remains apt advice for us.